UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): | May 7, 2013 |
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio | 1-8944 | 34-1464672 |
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction |
_____________
(Commission |
______________
(I.R.S. Employer |
of incorporation) | File Number) | Identification No.) |
200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, Ohio | 44114-2315 | |
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices) |
___________
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: | 216-694-5700 |
Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 5.03. | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On May 7, 2013, the Board of Directors of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (the Company) approved the Third Amended Articles of Incorporation (the Third Amended Articles), which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated herein by reference. On May 13, 2013, the Company filed the Third Amended Articles with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio (Ohio Secretary of State). The Third Amended Articles consolidate all amendments previously on file with the Ohio Secretary of State inclusive of the Second Amended Articles of Incorporation (filed July 13, 2010) through the Certificate of Amendment to the Second Amended Articles of Incorporation (filed on February 20, 2013).
Item 5.07. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
The 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on May 7, 2013. The final voting results for the proposals submitted for a vote of shareholders at the Annual Meeting are set forth below:
As of March 8, 2013, there were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting 153,095,713 common shares and 29,250,000 depositary shares, each of which represents 1/40 th of a share of our 7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A (preferred shares), and each common share and each preferred share was entitled to one vote. There were present at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, holders of 125,143,713 common shares and preferred shares representing more than a majority of the voting power and constituting a quorum.
At the meeting, the shareholders voted on the following items:
Proposal No. 1 Election of Ten Directors
The following nominees were elected as directors by the votes indicated below for a term that will expire on the date of the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.
1
NOMINEES
FOR
AGAINST
ABSTAIN
BROKER NON-VOTES
64,036,936
27,279,275
1,285,720
32,828,356
66,024,123
26,070,059
507,749
32,828,356
66,031,080
26,067,795
503,056
32,828,356
81,948,705
10,138,997
514,229
32,828,356
65,796,722
26,290,456
514,753
32,828,356
82,066,004
10,026,070
509,857
32,828,356
82,092,948
9,990,562
518,421
32,828,356
65,674,801
26,414,565
512,565
32,828,356
65,133,833
26,951,450
516,648
32,828,356
82,154,833
9,938,290
508,808
32,828,356
Proposal No. 2 Amendment to the Companys Second Amended Articles of Incorporation to adopt majority voting in uncontested director elections.
While this proposal received an affirmative vote of more than a majority of the shares
outstanding as of the record date, because this proposal was conditional upon the passage of
Proposals 3 and 4, this proposal did not pass. The voting results for Proposal No. 2 were as
follows:
88,260,625
3,560,898
780,408
32,828,356
Proposal No. 3 Amendment to the Companys Second Amended Articles of Incorporation to eliminate cumulative voting in director elections
This proposal was defeated as it did not receive an affirmative vote of more than a majority
of the shares outstanding as of the record date. The voting results for Proposal No. 3 were as
follows:
68,591,226
23,224,674
786,031
32,828,356
Proposal No. 4 Amendment to the Companys Regulations to allow the Board to amend the Regulations without shareholder approval to the extent permitted under Ohio law
This proposal was defeated as it did not receive an affirmative vote of more than a majority
of shares outstanding as of the record date. The voting results were as follows:
Proposal No. 5 Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of the Named Executive
Officers
This proposal received an affirmative vote of more than a majority of the shares entitled to
vote. The voting results were as follows:
Proposal No. 6 Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm for 2012
This proposal was approved by the votes indicated below. There were no broker non-votes on
this proposal.
46,418,064
45,376,656
807,211
32,828,356
61,388,950
30,436,604
776,377
32,828,356
121,772,207
2,936,288
721,792
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed herewith:
3.1 Third Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. | ||||
May 13, 2013 | By: |
/s/ Carolyn E. Cheverine
|
||
|
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Name: Carolyn E. Cheverine | ||||
Title: Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
Description
Third Amended Articles of Incorporation of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
EXHIBIT 3.1
THIRD AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
FIRST: The name of the Corporation shall be Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
SECOND: The location of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Ohio shall be
in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
THIRD: The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be formed under Sections 1701.01 through 1701.98, inclusive, of
the Ohio Revised Code.
FOURTH: The maximum number of shares the Corporation is authorized to have outstanding is Four
Hundred Seven Million (407,000,000) shares, consisting of the following:
(a) Three Million (3,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value
(Class A Preferred Stock);
(b) Four Million (4,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class B, without par value
(Class B Preferred Stock); and
(c) Four Hundred Million (400,000,000) Common Shares, par value $0.125 per share (Common
Shares).
DIVISION A:
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE SERIAL PREFERRED STOCK,
CLASS A, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
The Class A Preferred Stock shall have the following express terms:
SECTION 1.
Series.
The Class A Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or
more series. All shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall be of equal rank and shall be identical,
except in respect of the matters that may be fixed by the Directors as hereinafter provided, and
each share of each series shall be identical with all other shares of such series, except as to the
date from which dividends are cumulative. All shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall also be of
equal rank and shall be identical with shares of Class B Preferred Stock except in respect of (i)
the particulars that may be fixed and determined by the Directors as hereinafter provided, (ii) the
voting rights and provisions for consent relating to Class A Preferred Stock as fixed and
determined by Section 5 of this Division A and (iii) the conversion rights of any series of Class A
Preferred Stock which may be fixed and determined by the Directors subject to the provisions of
Section 6 of this Division A. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this
Division A, which provisions shall apply to all Class A Preferred Stock, the Directors hereby are
authorized to cause such shares to be issued in one or more series and with respect to each such
series to fix:
(a) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter and/or title.
(b) The number of shares of the series, which number the Directors may (except where otherwise
provided in the creation of the series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding).
(c) The dividend rights of the series which may be: cumulative or non-cumulative; at a
specified rate, amount or proportion; or with or without further participation rights.
(d) The dates at which dividends, if declared, shall be payable, and the dates from which
dividends, if cumulative, shall accumulate.
(e) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.
(f) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares
of the series.
(g) The amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(h) Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or
series of the Corporation, and if so, the specification of such other class or series, the
conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates as of which
such shares shall be convertible, and other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be
made.
(i) Restrictions (in addition to those set forth in Section 5(c) of this Division) on the
issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.
The Directors are authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the Articles of
Incorporation fixing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in clauses (a) to
(i), inclusive, of this Section 1.
SECTION 2.
Dividends
.
(a) The holders of Class A preferred Stock of each series, in preference to the holders of
Common Shares and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, shall
be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefor and when and as declared by the
Directors dividends in cash at the rate for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1 of this Division A and no more, payable on the dividend payment dates fixed for such
series. Such dividends may be cumulative, in the case of shares of each particular series, from
and after the date or dates fixed with respect to such series. No dividend may be paid upon or set
apart for any of the Class A Preferred Stock on any dividend payment date unless (i) all dividends
upon all Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then outstanding ranking
prior to or on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock for all dividend payment dates prior to
such date shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) at the same time a like
dividend upon all series of Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then
outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock and having a dividend
payment date on such date, ratably in proportion to the respective dividend rates of each such
series or class, shall be paid or funds therefor set apart. Accumulations of dividends, if any,
shall not bear interest.
(b) For the purpose of this Division A, a dividend shall be deemed to have been paid or funds
therefor set apart on any date if on or prior to such date the Corporation shall have deposited
funds sufficient therefor with a bank or trust company and shall have caused checks drawn against
such funds in appropriate amounts to be mailed to each holder of record entitled to receive such
dividend at such holders address then appearing on the books of the Corporation.
(c) In no event so long as any Class A Preferred Stock shall be outstanding shall any
dividends, except a dividend payable in Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class A
Preferred Stock, be paid or declared or any distribution be made except as aforesaid on the Common
Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, nor shall any Common
Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock be purchased, retired or
otherwise acquired by the Corporation (except out of the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or
other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock received by the Corporation on or
subsequent to the date on which shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock are first issued),
unless (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends upon all Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding for
all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of such action shall have been paid or funds
therefor set apart and (ii) as of the date of such action there shall be no arrearages with respect
to the redemption of Class A Preferred Stock of any series from any sinking fund provided for
shares of such series in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division A.
SECTION 3.
Redemption
.
(a) Subject to the express terms of each series and to the provisions of Section 5(c)(iii) of
this Division A, the Corporation (i) may from time to time redeem all or any part of the Class A
Preferred Stock of any series at the time outstanding at the option of the Directors at the
applicable redemption price for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of
this Division A, and (ii) shall from time to time make such redemptions of the Class A Preferred
Stock of any series as may be required to fulfill the requirements of any sinking fund provided for
shares of such series at the applicable sinking fund redemption price, fixed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1 of this Division A, together in each case with (A) all then accrued and
unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the redemption date
and (B) if the redemption date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate
dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent
such dividend payment date through the redemption date.
(b) Notice of every such redemption shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the holders of record
of the Class A Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses then appearing on the
books of the Corporation, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
such redemption. At any time before or after notice has been given as above provided, the
Corporation may deposit the aggregate redemption price of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock to
be redeemed, together with an amount equal to the aggregate amount of dividends payable upon such
redemption, with any bank or trust company in Cleveland, Ohio, or New York, New York, having
capital and surplus of more than $50,000,000, named in such notice, and direct that such deposited
amount be paid to the respective holders of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock so to be redeemed
upon surrender of the stock certificate or certificates held by such holders. Upon the giving of
such notice and the making of such deposit such holders shall cease to be shareholders with respect
to such shares and shall have no interest in or claim against the Corporation with respect to such
shares except only the right to receive such money from such bank or trust company without interest
or to exercise, before the redemption date, any unexpired privileges of conversion. In case less
than all of the outstanding shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the
Corporation shall select, pro rata or by lot, the shares so to be redeemed in such manner as shall
be prescribed by the Directors.
(c) If the holders of shares of Class A Preferred Stock which shall have been called for
redemption shall not, within six years after such deposit, claim the amount deposited for the
redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation
such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust company and the Corporation shall be
relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such holder.
(d) Any shares of Class A Preferred Stock which are (i) redeemed by the Corporation pursuant
to the provisions of this Section 3, (ii) purchased and delivered in satisfaction of any sinking
fund requirements provided for shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock, (iii) converted in
accordance with the express terms of any such series, or (iv) otherwise acquired by the
Corporation, shall resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of Class A Preferred Stock
without serial designation; provided, however, that any such shares which are converted in
accordance with the express terms thereof shall not be reissued as convertible shares.
SECTION 4.
Liquidation
.
(a) (1) The holders of Class A Preferred Stock of any series, shall, in case of voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled
to receive in full out of the assets of the Corporation, including its capital, before any amount
shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking
junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, the amounts fixed with respect to shares of such series in
accordance with Section 1 of this Division, plus an amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid
dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of payment of the
amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (ii) if such date is not a
dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed
days, for the period from the day after the most recent dividend payment date through the date of
payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In case the net
assets of the Corporation legally available therefor are insufficient to permit the payment upon
all outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all
classes ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount to
which they are respectively entitled, then such net assets shall be distributed ratably upon
outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all classes
ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock in proportion to the full preferential amount
to which each such share is entitled.
(2) After payment to holders of Class A Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts as
aforesaid, holders of Class A Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the
remaining assets of the Corporation.
(b) The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the
merger of any other corporation into it, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially
all the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up for the purposes of this Division A.
SECTION 5.
Voting
.
(a) The holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of
such stock upon all matters presented to the shareholders; and, except as otherwise provided herein
or required by law, the holders of Class A Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Shares shall
vote together as one class on all matters presented to the shareholders.
(b) (1) If, and so often as, the Corporation shall be in default in the payment of dividends
on any series of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, or funds therefor have not been
set apart, in an amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends on any such series of Class A
Preferred Stock whether or not consecutive and whether or not earned or declared, the holders of
Class A Preferred Stock of all series, voting separately as a class, and in addition to any other
rights which the shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock may have to vote for Directors,
shall thereafter be entitled to elect, as herein provided, two Directors of the Corporation;
provided, however, that the special class voting rights provided for in this paragraph when the
same shall have become vested shall remain so vested (i) in the case of cumulative dividends, until
all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Class A Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding
shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart, or (ii) in the case of non-cumulative dividends,
until full dividends on the Class A Preferred Stock of all series than outstanding shall have been
paid or funds therefor set apart regularly for a period of one year, whereupon the holders of Class
A Preferred Stock shall be divested of their special class voting rights in respect of subsequent
elections of Directors, subject to the revesting of such special class voting rights in the event
hereinabove specified in this paragraph.
(2) In the event of default entitling the holders of Class A Preferred Stock to elect two
Directors as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a special meeting of such holders for
the purpose of electing such Directors shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon
written request of, or may be called by, the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the
shares of Class A Preferred Stock of all series at the time outstanding, and notice thereof shall
be given in the same manner as that required for the annual meeting of shareholders; provided,
however, that the Corporation shall not be required to call such special meeting if the annual
meeting of shareholders or any other special meeting of shareholders called or to be called for a
different purpose shall be held within 120 days after the date of receipt of the foregoing written
request from the holders of Class A Preferred Stock. At any meeting at which the holders of Class
A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect Directors, the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of
the then outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock of all series, present in person or by
proxy, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum, and the vote of the holders of a majority of
such shares so present at any such meeting at which there shall be such a quorum shall be
sufficient to elect the Directors which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock are entitled to
elect as hereinabove provided. Notwithstanding any provision of these Articles of Incorporation or
the Regulations of the Corporation or any action taken by the holders of any class of shares fixing
the number of Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors who may be elected by the holders of
Class A Preferred Stock pursuant to this subsection shall serve in addition to any other Directors
then in office or proposed to be elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Nothing in
this subsection shall prevent any change otherwise permitted in the total number of Directors of
the Corporation or require the resignation of any Director elected otherwise than pursuant to this
subsection. Notwithstanding any classification of the other Directors of the Corporation, the two
Directors elected by the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be elected annually for the terms
expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that whenever
the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting power as above provided, the
terms of office of all persons elected as Directors by the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock
as a class shall immediately terminate and the number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
(c) Except as hereinafter provided, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds
of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a
meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall vote
separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect, any one or more of the following (but so far
as the holders of Class A Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such
vote):
(i) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation or of the Regulations of the Corporation which affects adversely the preferences or
voting or other rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that for the
purpose of this paragraph 5(c)(i) only, neither the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation so
as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding amount of Class A Preferred Stock
or of any shares of any class ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class A Preferred Stock nor
the amendment of the provisions of the Regulations so as to change the number of Directors of the
Corporation shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the
holders of Class A Preferred Stock; and provided further, that if such amendment, alteration or
repeal affects adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of one or more but not all
series of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the number of shares at the time outstanding of each series so
affected, each such affected series voting separately as a series, shall also be required;
(ii) The authorization, creation or the increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any
class or any security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the
Class A Preferred Stock; or
(iii) The purchase or redemption (for sinking fund purposes or otherwise) of less than all of
the Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made
to all holders of record of Class A Preferred Stock, unless all dividends on all Class A Preferred
Stock then outstanding for all previous dividend periods shall have been declared and paid or funds
therefor set apart and all accrued sinking fund obligations applicable thereto shall have been
complied with;
provided, however, that in the case of any authorization, creation or increase in the
authorized amount of any shares of any class or security convertible into shares of any class, in
either case, ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock no such consent of the holders of Class A
Preferred Stock shall be required if the holders of Class A Preferred Stock have previously
received adequate notice of redemption to occur within 90 days. The foregoing proviso shall not
apply and such consent of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be required if any such
redemption will be effected, in whole or in part, with the proceeds received from the sale of any
such stock or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the
Class A Preferred Stock.
(d) The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Class A
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the
purpose at which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be
necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of the Class A
Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such vote):
(i) The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation to the
extent any such consolidation or merger shall be required, pursuant to any applicable statute, to
be approved by the holders of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock voting separately as a class;
or
(ii) The authorization of any shares ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock or
an increase in the authorized number of shares of Class A Preferred Stock.
(e) Neither the vote, consent nor any adjustment of the voting rights of holders of shares of
Class A Preferred Stock shall be required for an increase in the number of Common Shares authorized
or issued or for stock splits of the Common Shares or for stock dividends on any class of stock
payable solely in Common Shares, and none of the foregoing actions shall be deemed to affect
adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of Class A Preferred Stock within the meaning
and for the purpose of this Division A.
SECTION 6.
Conversion
.
(a) If and to the extent that there are created series of Class A Preferred Stock which are
convertible (hereinafter called convertible series) into Common Shares, as such shares shall be
constituted as of the date of conversion, or into shares of any other class or series of the
Corporation (hereinafter collectively called conversion shares), the following terms and
provisions shall be applicable to all of such series, except as may be otherwise expressly provided
in the terms of any such series.
(1) The maximum amount of Common Shares which may be authorized to be received upon conversion
by the holders of any shares of a convertible series shall not exceed one Common Share for each
share of such convertible series, subject to any adjustments which shall be required pursuant to
any antidilution mechanism which the Directors may approve in respect of such convertible series.
(2) The holder of each share of a convertible series may exercise the conversion privilege in
respect thereof by delivering to any transfer agent for the respective series the certificate for
the share to be converted and written notice that the holder elects to convert such share.
Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the
date when such delivery is made, and such date is referred to in this Section as the conversion
date. On the conversion date or as promptly thereafter as practicable the Corporation shall
deliver to the holder of the stock surrendered for conversion, or as otherwise directed by such
holder in writing, a certificate for the number of full conversion shares deliverable upon the
conversion of such stock and a check or cash in respect of any fraction of a share as provided in
subsection (3) of this Section. The person in whose name the stock certificate is to be registered
shall be deemed to have become a holder of the conversion shares of record on the conversion date.
No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on shares of stock surrendered for conversion or for
dividends on the conversion shares delivered on conversion.
(3) The Corporation shall not be required to deliver fractional shares upon conversion of
shares of a convertible series. If more than one share of a convertible series shall be
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full conversion shares
deliverable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of
shares so surrendered. If any fractional interest in a conversion share would otherwise be
deliverable upon the conversion, the Corporation shall in lieu of delivering a fractional share
therefor make an adjustment therefor in cash at the current market value thereof, computed (to the
nearest cent) on the basis of the closing price of the conversion share on the last business day
before the conversion date.
(4) For the purpose of this Section, the closing price of the conversion shares on any
business day shall be the last reported sales price per share on such day, or, in case no such
reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, in
either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the conversion shares are not listed or admitted
to the trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the
conversion shares are listed or admitted to trading as determined by the Directors, which
determination shall be conclusive, or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, as quoted by the automated quotation system of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or, if not so quoted, the mean between the average bid and asked prices
per conversion share in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Directors for that
purpose; and business day shall be each day on which the New York Stock Exchange or other
national securities exchange or automated quotation system or over-the-counter market used for
purposes of the above calculation is open for trading.
(b) Upon conversion of any convertible series the stated capital of the conversion shares
delivered upon such conversion shall be the aggregate par value of the shares so delivered having
par value, or, in the case of conversion shares without par value, shall be an amount equal to the
stated capital represented by each such share outstanding at the time of such conversion. The
stated capital of the Corporation shall be correspondingly increased or reduced to reflect the
difference between the stated capital of the shares of the convertible series so converted and the
stated capital of the conversion shares delivered upon such conversion.
(c) In case of any reclassification or change of outstanding conversion shares (except a split
or combination, or a change in par value, or a change from par value to no par value, or a change
from no par value to par value) , provision shall be made as part of the terms of such
reclassification or change that the holder of each share of each convertible series then
outstanding shall have the right to receive upon the conversion of such share, at the conversion
rate or price which otherwise would be in effect at the time of conversion, with substantially the
same protection against dilution as is provided in the terms of such convertible series, the same
kind and amount of stock and other securities and property as such holder would have owned or have
been entitled to receive upon the happening of any of the events described above had such share
been converted immediately prior to the happening of the event.
(d) In case the Corporation shall be consolidated with or shall merge into any other
corporation, provision shall be made as a part of the terms of such consolidation or merger whereby
the holder of each share of each convertible series outstanding immediately prior to such event
shall thereafter be entitled to such conversion rights with respect to securities of the
corporation resulting from such consolidation or merger as shall be substantially equivalent to the
conversion rights specified in the terms of such convertible series; provided, however, that the
provisions of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to be satisfied if such consolidation or merger
shall be approved by the holders of Class A Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5(d) of this Division A.
(e) The issue of stock certificates on conversions of shares of each convertible series shall
be without charge to the converting shareholder for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The
Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any
transfer involved in the registration of shares in any name other than that of the holder of the
shares converted, and the Corporation shall not be required to deliver any such stock certificate
unless and until the person or persons requesting the delivery thereof shall have paid to the
Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation
that such tax has been paid.
(f) The Corporation hereby reserves and shall at all times reserve and keep available, free
from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares, for the
purpose of delivery upon conversion of shares of each convertible series, such number of conversion
shares as shall from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares
of all convertible series of Class A Preferred Stock.
SECTION 7.
Definitions
. For the purpose of this Division A:
(a) Whenever reference is made to shares ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock, such
reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of
the holders thereof either as to the payment of dividends or as to distributions in the event of a
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are given
preference over the rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock.
(b) Whenever reference is made to shares on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock, such
reference shall mean and include all shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all other shares of the
Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof (i) are not given preference over
the rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock either as to the payment of dividends or as to
distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation and (ii) either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event
of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, or as to
both, rank on an equality (except as to the amounts fixed therefor) with the rights of the holders
of Class A Preferred Stock.
(c) Whenever reference is made to shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock such
reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of
the holders thereof both as to the payment of dividends and as to distributions in the event of a
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are junior and
subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock.
SUBDIVISION A-1
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE 7.00% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, CLASS A
There is hereby established a series of Class A Preferred Stock to which the following
provisions, in addition to the provisions of Division A of this Article Fourth (
Division A
),
shall be applicable:
Section1. Designation of Series.
The stock shall be designated 7.00% Series A Mandatory
Convertible Preferred Stock (hereinafter called
Series A Preferred Stock
).
Section 2
. Number of Shares; Fractional Shares.
(a) The number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be 675,000 (as increased from time to time, up to an aggregate of 776,250
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, by an amount equal to the number of any additional shares of
Series A Preferred Stock underlying the Corporations depositary shares purchased by the
Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of their over-allotment option as set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement), which number the Board of Directors may decrease (but not below the number
of shares of the series then Outstanding).
(b) Each holder of a fractional interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A Preferred
Stock (including, without limitation, the conversion, dividend, voting and liquidation rights
contained in this Subdivision.
Section 3.
Certain Definitions
.
Accumulated Dividend Amount
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(i) of this
Subdivision.
Additional Conversion Amount
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b) of this
Subdivision.
Additional Fundamental Change Amount
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
8(d)(ix) of this Subdivision.
ADRs
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this Subdivision.
Affiliate
of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this
definition, control when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management
and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms controlling and controlled have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
Applicable Market Value
means the Average VWAP per Common Share over the Final Averaging
Period, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
Articles of Incorporation
means the Corporations Second Amended Articles of Incorporation,
as amended.
Average VWAP
per Common Share over a certain period means the average of the VWAP per share
for each Trading Day in such period. The
Average VWAP
per share of Capital Stock or share of
equity interest, as applicable, over a certain period means the average of the per share
volume-weighted average price for such security as displayed on the relevant Bloomberg page in
respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time for each Trading Day in such
period (or, if such price is not available, the market value per share of the relevant security on
each such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally
recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose).
Board of Directors
means either the board of directors of the Corporation or any duly
authorized committee of such board.
Business Day
means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial
banks in New York City are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
Capital Stock
means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase,
warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated)
stock issued by that entity.
Certificated Series A Preferred Stock
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13 of
this Subdivision.
close of business
means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
Common Shares
means the common shares of the Corporation, par value $0.125 per share.
Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
15(a) of this Subdivision.
Conversion Date
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(e)(ii) of this
Subdivision.
Conversion Price
per share of Series A Preferred Stock means, on any date, the Liquidation
Preference,
divided by
the Conversion Rate in effect on such date.
Conversion Rate
, which is the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of each share
of Series A Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date, shall, subject to adjustment pursuant
to Section 9 of this Subdivision, be as follows:
(a) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is greater than the Threshold
Appreciation Price, then the Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate;
(b) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is less than or equal to the Threshold
Appreciation Price but equal to or greater than the Initial Price, then the Conversion Rate shall
be equal to $1,000,
divided by
the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares, which will be
between 28.1480 and 34.4840 of the Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock; or
(c) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is less than the Initial Price, then
the Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum Conversion Rate.
Corporation
means Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., and shall include any successor to such
Corporation.
Current Market Price
means, for the purposes of determining the adjustment to the Fixed
Conversion Rate for the purposes of:
(i) Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, Section 9(d) of this Subdivision in the event of an
adjustment not relating to a Spin-Off and Section 9(e) of this Subdivision, the Average VWAP per
Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day before the
ex-date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation;
(ii) Section 9(d) of this Subdivision in the event of an adjustment relating to a Spin-Off,
the Average VWAP per Common Share, share of Capital Stock or share of equity interest, as
applicable, over the first ten consecutive Trading Days commencing on, and including, the fifth
Trading Day following the effective date of such distribution; and
(iii) Section 9(f) of this Subdivision, the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five
consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the seventh Trading Day after the
Expiration Date of the tender or exchange offer.
Depositary
means DTC or its successor depositary.
Distributed Property
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this
Subdivision.
Dividend Payment Date
means February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 each year to, and
including, February 1, 2016, commencing May 1, 2013.
A full
Dividend Period
shall mean the period from, and including, a Dividend Payment Date
to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date, except that the initial
Dividend Period
will
commence on, and include, the Initial Issue Date and will end on, and exclude, the May 1, 2013
Dividend Payment Date.
Dividend Rate
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
Division A
shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Subdivision.
dollars
or
$
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12 of this Subdivision.
DTC
shall mean The Depository Trust Company.
Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount
shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 8(c)(ii) of this Subdivision.
Early Conversion Average Price
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(ii) of
this Subdivision.
Early Conversion
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(i) of this
Subdivision.
Early Conversion Date
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(ii) of this
Subdivision.
Effective Date
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ii) of this
Subdivision.
ex-date
, when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on
which the Common Shares trade without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.
Exchange Act
shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Property
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this
Subdivision.
Expiration Date
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(f) of this Subdivision.
Fair Market Value
means the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and set forth in a resolution of the Board of
Directors.
Final Averaging Period
means the 20 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and
including, the 23rd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding February 1, 2016.
Five-Day Average Price
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b) of this
Subdivision.
Fixed Conversion Rates
means the Minimum Conversion Rate and the Maximum Conversion Rate
collectively.
Floor Price
means $10.15, which amount represents approximately 35% of the Initial Price,
subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
Fundamental Change
means the occurrence, at any time after the Initial Issue Date of: (i)
the consummation of any transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation,
tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with
which 90% or more of the Common Shares are exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or
constitutes solely the right to receive consideration 10% or more of which is not common stock that
is listed on, or immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on, any of The New York
Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market; (ii) any person or
group (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act,
whether or not applicable), other than the Corporation, any of the Corporations majority-owned
Subsidiaries or any of the Corporations or the Corporations majority-owned Subsidiaries employee
benefit plans, becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the
total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of capital stock then outstanding entitled to
vote generally in elections of the Board of Directors; or (iii) the Common Shares (or any other
security into which the Series A Preferred Stock becomes convertible in connection with a
Reorganization Event) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The
NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market.
Fundamental Change Conversion Period
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
8(d)(ii) of this Subdivision.
Fundamental Change Conversion Rate
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ii)
of this Subdivision.
Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount
shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 8(d)(i) of this Subdivision.
Holder
as applied to any share of the Series A Preferred Stock, or other similar terms,
shall mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular share of Series A Preferred Stock is
registered, who shall be treated by the Corporation and the Registrar as the absolute owner of
those shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions
and for all other purposes.
Initial Dividend Threshold
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(e) of this
Subdivision.
Initial Issue Date
means February 21, 2013, the first date of original issuance of the
Series A Preferred Stock.
Initial Price
equals $1,000,
divided by
the Maximum Conversion Rate, which quotient is
initially equal to approximately $29.00, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this
Subdivision.
Last Reported Sale Price
of the Common Shares on any date means the closing sale price per
share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more
than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as
reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange
on which the Common Shares are traded. If the Common Shares are not listed for trading on a U.S.
national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the
Last Reported Sale Price
shall
be the last quoted bid price for the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant
date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Shares are not
so quoted, the
Last Reported Sale Price
shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and
ask prices for the Common Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally
recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.
Liquidation Preference
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6 of this
Subdivision.
Mandatory Conversion
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b)(i) of this
Subdivision.
Mandatory Conversion Date
means the third Business Day immediately following the last
Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period.
Maximum Conversion Rate
means 34.4840 Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock,
which is equal to $1,000,
divided by
the Initial Price, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9
of this Subdivision.
Minimum Conversion Rate
means 28.1480 Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock,
which is equal to $1,000,
divided by
the Threshold Appreciation Price, subject to adjustment
pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
Notice of Conversion
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(e)(ii) of this
Subdivision.
Officer
means the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the
Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the
Controller, any Assistant Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
Officers Certificate
means a certificate that is delivered to the Conversion and Dividend
Disbursing Agent and that is signed by an Officer of the Corporation.
Outstanding
means, when used with respect to Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of
determination, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date;
provided
,
however, that, in determining whether the Holders have given any request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action hereunder, Series A Preferred Stock
owned by the Corporation or any Affiliate of the Corporation shall be deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Registrar shall be protected in relying upon any such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Series A
Preferred Stock that the Registrar has actual knowledge of being so owned shall be deemed not to be
Outstanding.
Paying Agent
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 15(a) of this Subdivision.
Person
means an individual, a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited
liability company, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization
or any other entity or organization, a government or political subdivision or an agency or
instrumentality thereof.
Record Date
means with respect to the dividends payable on February 1, May 1, August 1 and
November 1 of each year, January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, respectively,
regardless of whether such day is a Business Day.
Registrar
shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor thereto, as may be designated
by the Board of Directors.
Reorganization Common Stock
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(b)(i) of
this Subdivision.
Reorganization Event
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this
Subdivision.
Reorganization Valuation Percentage
for any Reorganization Event shall be equal to (x) the
arithmetic average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of one share of such Reorganization Common
Stock over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period (determined as if references to Common
Shares in the definition of Last Reported Sale Price were references to the Reorganization
Common Stock for such Reorganization Event),
divided by
(y) the arithmetic average of the Last
Reported Sale Prices of one Common Share over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period.
Reorganization Valuation Period
for any Reorganization Event means the five consecutive
Trading Day period immediately preceding, but excluding, the effective date for such Reorganization
Event.
Scheduled Trading Day
means any day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day.
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Series A Preferred Stock
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 1 of this
Subdivision.
Spin-Off
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
Stock Price
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(v) of this Subdivision.
Subdivision
means this Subdivision A-1 of Article Fourth of the Articles of Incorporation.
Subsidiary
means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, association or other
business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of shares of
capital stock or other equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general
partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or
(ii) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person
(or any combination thereof).
Threshold Appreciation Price
means $1,000,
divided by
the Minimum Conversion Rate, which
quotient is initially equal to approximately $35.53 per Common Share, subject to adjustment
pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
Trading Day
means a day on which the Common Shares (x) are not suspended from trading, and
on which trading in the Common Shares is not limited, on any national or regional securities
exchange or association or over-the-counter market during any period or periods aggregating one
half-hour or longer; and (y) have traded at least once on the national or regional securities
exchange or association or over-the-counter market that is the primary market for the trading of
the Common Shares;
provided
that if the Common Shares are not traded on any such exchange,
association or market,
Trading Day
means any Business Day.
Transfer Agent
shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor thereto, as may be
designated by the Board of Directors.
Trigger Event
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
Underwriters
means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets
Corp., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
and Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
Underwriting Agreement
means the Underwriting Agreement relating to the Series A Preferred
Stock and the Corporations depositary shares underlying the Series A Preferred Stock, dated as of
February 14, 2013, among the Corporation and the Underwriters.
unit of Exchange Property
shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this
Subdivision.
VWAP
per Common Share on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price
as displayed on Bloomberg page CLF <Equity> AQR (or its equivalent successor if such page
is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such
Trading Day; or, if such price is not available,
VWAP
means the market value per Common Share on
such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized
independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.
Section 4
. Dividends.
Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division A:
(a) The dividend rate (the
Dividend Rate
) for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 7.00%
per share per annum on the Liquidation Preference of Series A Preferred Stock. Cash dividends at
such Dividend Rate shall be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of
funds legally available therefor, in quarterly installments on each Dividend Payment Date,
commencing May 1, 2013. Such dividends will accumulate from the most recent date as to which
dividends have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Initial Issue Date, whether
or not in any Dividend Period or Dividend Periods there have been funds legally available for the
payment of such dividends. Declared dividends will be payable on the relevant Dividend Payment Date
to Holders of record as they appear on the stock register of the Corporation at the close of
business on the immediately preceding Record Date, whether or not such Holders convert their shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, or such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are automatically
converted, after a Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date.
If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the next succeeding
Business Day, without any interest or other payment in lieu of interest accruing with respect to
this delay. Dividends payable for the initial Dividend Period and any partial Dividend Period shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(b) The dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock for the initial Dividend Period will be
$13.6111 per share of Series A Preferred Stock and will be payable, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors, on May 1, 2013.
(c) The amount of dividends payable on each share of Series A Preferred Stock for each full
Dividend Period (after the initial Dividend Period) shall be computed by dividing the Dividend Rate
by four.
Section 5.
No Redemption; No Sinking Fund
. The provisions set forth in Section 3 of Division
A and the proviso and immediately succeeding sentence immediately following Section 5(c)(iii) of
Division A shall not apply to the Series A Preferred Stock. Instead, the Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be redeemable by the Corporation or entitled to the benefits of any retirement or sinking
fund.
Section 6
. Liquidation Preference.
Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division
A, the Holders shall, in case of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the
Corporation, including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the
holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock,
the amount of $1,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (the
Liquidation Preference
),
plus
an
amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid dividends for all Dividend Payment Dates on or
prior to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding
up, and (ii) if such date is not a Dividend Payment Date, a proportionate dividend, based on the
number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent Dividend Payment Date
through the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding
up. For so long as any Series A Preferred Stock is Outstanding, the Corporation shall not issue
any Class A Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference less than $1,000 per share.
Section 7.
Voting
. Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division A, any Director
of the Corporation elected by the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock in accordance with Section
5(b)(1) of Division A may be removed at any time without cause by the holders of record of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Class A Preferred Stock.
Section 8.
Conversion Rights
. (a)
Applicability of Division A Conversion Provisions
. The
provisions related to conversion set forth in Section 6 of Division A shall not apply to the Series
A Preferred Stock. Instead, the provisions related to conversion set forth in this Section 8 of
this Subdivision shall apply to the Series A Preferred Stock and shall supersede and replace, in
their entirety, the provisions related to conversion set forth in Section 6 of Division A.
(b)
Mandatory Conversion.
(i) Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock, unless previously
converted pursuant to Section 8(c) or Section 8(d) of this Subdivision, shall automatically convert
on the Mandatory Conversion Date (a
Mandatory Conversion
) into a number of Common Shares equal to
the Conversion Rate. If the Corporation declares a dividend for the Dividend Period ending on
February 1, 2016, the Corporation will pay such dividend to the Holders on the applicable Record
Date, as described under Section 4(a) of this Subdivision. If on or prior to January 15, 2016 the
Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock, the Conversion Rate will be increased so that Holders receive an
additional number of Common Shares equal to (x) the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that
have not been declared (the
Additional Conversion Amount
),
divided by
(y) the greater of (A) the
Floor Price and (B) 97% of the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day
period ending on the second Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date
(the
Five-Day Average Price
). To the extent that the Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the
product of the number of additional Common Shares added to the Conversion Rate and 97% of the
Five-Day Average Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, declare and pay such
excess amount in cash
pro rata
to the Holders.
(ii) The person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon Mandatory
Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares
as of the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date. Except as provided in Section 9 of
this Subdivision, prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Common
Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be
outstanding for any purpose and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such Common Shares,
including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or
other distributions on such Common Shares, by virtue of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, other
than the rights set forth in Section 5 of Division A.
(c)
Conversion at the Option of the Holder
. (i) Other than during a Fundamental Change
Conversion Period, Holders have the right to convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in
whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of Series A Preferred Stock), at any time
prior to February 1, 2016 (an
Early Conversion
), into Common Shares at the Minimum Conversion
Rate.
(ii) If as of the effective date of any Early Conversion (the
Early Conversion Date
), the
Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends for all
full Dividend Periods ending on a Dividend Payment Date prior to such Early Conversion Date, the
Conversion Rate shall be increased so that converting Holders receive an additional number of
Common Shares equal to (x) such amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that have not been
declared for such full Dividend Periods (the
Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount
),
divided by
(y) the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) the Average VWAP per Common Share over
the 20 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the third Trading Day immediately
preceding the Early Conversion Date (the
Early Conversion Average Price
). To the extent that the
Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of the number of additional
Common Shares by which the Conversion Rate is increased and the Early Conversion Average Price, the
Corporation shall not have any obligation to pay the shortfall in cash.
(iii) Except as described in clause (ii) above, upon any Early Conversion, the Corporation
shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
unless the relevant Early Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and
on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, in which case such dividend shall
be paid on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holder of record of the converted shares as of such
Record Date, as described under Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
(d)
Conversion at the Option of the Holder upon Fundamental Change; Fundamental Change
Dividend Make-Whole Amount.
(i) If a Fundamental Change occurs on or prior to February 1, 2016,
Holders shall have the right to: (x) convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or
in part (but in no event less than one share of Series A Preferred Stock) (any such conversion
pursuant to this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision being a
Fundamental Change Conversion
) into
Common Shares at the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; (y) with respect to such converted shares,
receive an amount equal to the present value, calculated using a discount rate of 5.00% per annum,
of all dividend payments on such shares (excluding any accumulated and unpaid dividends for any
Dividend Period prior to the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, including for the Dividend
Period, if any, from the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the Effective Date to, but
excluding, the Effective Date (collectively, the
Accumulated Dividend Amount
)) for all the
remaining full Dividend Periods and for the partial Dividend Period from, and including, the
Effective Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date (the
Fundamental Change Dividend
Make-Whole Amount
); and (z) with respect to such converted shares, to the extent that, as of the
Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, there is any Accumulated Dividend Amount, receive payment
of the Accumulated Dividend Amount, in the case of clauses (y) and (z), subject to the
Corporations right to increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares
in lieu of paying cash in respect of all or part of such amounts as set forth in Section 8(d)(ix)
below;
provided
that, if the Effective Date or the Conversion Date falls after the Record Date for
a declared dividend and prior to the next Dividend Payment Date, such dividend will be paid on such
Dividend Payment Date to the Holders as of such Record Date, as described under Section 4(a) of
this Subdivision, and will not be included in the Accumulated Dividend Amount, and the Fundamental
Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount will not include the present value of the payment of such
dividend.
(ii) To exercise the Fundamental Change Conversion right, Holders must submit their shares of
Series A Preferred Stock for conversion at any time during the period (the
Fundamental Change
Conversion Period
) beginning on the effective date of such fundamental change (the
Effective
Date
) and ending at the close of business on the date that is 20 calendar days after the Effective
Date (or, if earlier, the Mandatory Conversion Date) at the conversion rate per share of Series A
Preferred Stock specified in the table below (the
Fundamental Change Conversion Rate
). Holders
who do not submit their shares of Series A Preferred Stock for conversion during the Fundamental
Change Conversion Period will not be entitled to convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock
at the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate or to receive the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole
Amount or the Accumulated Dividend Amount (or an increase in the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate
in respect of all or part of such amounts, as the case may be).
(iii) The Corporation shall notify Holders of the anticipated Effective Date of a Fundamental
Change at least 20 calendar days prior to such anticipated Effective Date or, if such prior notice
is not practicable, notify Holders of the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change no later than such
Effective Date. Such notice shall state:
(A) the event causing the Fundamental Change;
(B) the anticipated Effective Date or actual Effective Date, as the case may be;
(C) that Holders shall have the right to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection
with such Fundamental Change during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period;
(D) the Fundamental Change Conversion Period; and
(E) the instructions a Holder must follow to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in
connection with such Fundamental Change.
If the Corporation notifies Holders of a Fundamental Change later than the 20th calendar day
prior to the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change, the Fundamental Change Conversion Period will
be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days from, and including, the 20th calendar
day prior to the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change to, but excluding, the date of the
notice;
provided
that the Fundamental Change Conversion Period shall not be extended beyond the
Mandatory Conversion Date.
(iv) Not later than the second Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental
Change, the Corporation shall notify Holders of (x) the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; (y) the
Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and whether the Corporation will increase the
Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in lieu of paying such amount, or any portion thereof, by a
number of Common Shares and, if applicable, the portion of such amount the Corporation will satisfy
by increasing the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; and (z) the Accumulated Dividend Amount and
whether the Corporation will increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in lieu of paying such
amount, or any portion thereof, by a number of Common Shares and, if applicable, the portion of
such amount the Corporation will satisfy by so increasing the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate.
(v) The Fundamental Change Conversion Rate will be determined by reference to the table below
based on the Effective Date of the transaction and the price (the
Stock Price
) paid (or deemed
paid) per Common Share in such transaction. If all holders of the Common Shares receive only cash
in the Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise the
Stock Price shall be the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period
ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(vi) The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table below (
i.e.
, the column headers)
shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Fixed Conversion Rates are adjusted. The adjusted
Stock Prices will equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately prior to the
adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Minimum
Conversion Rate as so adjusted. Each of the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates in the table will
be subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as each Fixed Conversion Rate as
set forth in Section 9 of this Subdivision.
(vii) The following table sets forth the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate per share of
Series A Preferred Stock for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below.
The exact Stock Price and Effective Dates may not be set forth in the table, in which
case:
(x) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices on the table or the Effective Date is
between two Effective Dates on the table, the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be
determined by straight-line interpolation between the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth
for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable,
based on a 365-day year;
(y) if the Stock Price is in excess of $90.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same
manner and at the same time as the Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table above, as
set forth in clause (vi) above), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum
Conversion Rate; and
(z) if the Stock Price is less than $15.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner
and at the same time as the Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table above, as set
forth in clause (vi) above), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum
Conversion Rate.
(viii) For any shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are converted during the Fundamental
Change Conversion Period, subject to the limitations described in clause (ix) below, the
Corporation may pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend
Amount, determined in its sole discretion, (x) in cash, (y) by increasing the Fundamental Change
Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares (calculated as described in clause (ix) below) or (z)
through any combination of cash and an increase to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a
number of Common Shares (calculated as described in clause (ix) below).
(ix) The Corporation shall pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the
Accumulated Dividend Amount in cash, except to the extent it elects on or prior to the second
Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change to increase the Fundamental
Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares in lieu of making all or any portion of such
payments in cash. If the Corporation elects to increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a
number of Common Shares in respect of any such payment, or any portion thereof, the number of
Common Shares by which the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be valued
for such purpose at 97% of the Stock Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the
additional number of Common Shares added to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in connection
with the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend Amount, in the
aggregate, exceed a number equal to the sum of such amounts (the
Additional Fundamental Change
Amount
),
divided by
the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Stock Price. To the extent that
the Additional Fundamental Change amount exceeds the product of the number of Common Shares by
which the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate is increased in respect of such Additional Fundamental
Change Amount and 97% of the Stock Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so,
notwithstanding any notice by the Corporation to the contrary, pay such excess amount in cash.
(e)
Conversion Procedures upon Early Conversion
. (i) If a Holder elects to convert its shares
of Series A Preferred Stock prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date in accordance with Section 8(c)
or Section 8(d) of this Subdivision, such Holder must observe the conversion procedures set forth
in this Section 8(e) of this Subdivision.
(ii) To convert a Holders shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such Holder must surrender to
the Corporation, at the principal office of the Corporation or at the office of the Transfer Agent
as may be designated by the Board of Directors, the certificate or certificates for such shares of
the Series A Preferred Stock to be converted accompanied by a complete and manually signed Notice
of Conversion (as set forth in the form of Series A Preferred Stock certificate attached hereto) (a
Notice of Conversion
) along with appropriate endorsements and transfer documents as required by
the Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. The
Conversion Date
shall be the
earlier of (x) the date on which the converting Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements and
(y) the Mandatory Conversion Date. A Holder who converts its shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common
Shares if such Holder exercises its conversion rights, except that such Holder shall be required to
pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or
delivery of Common Shares in a name other than the name of such Holder. Such Common Shares shall
be issued and delivered only after all applicable taxes and duties, if any, payable by the
converting Holder have been paid in full and shall be issued on the later of the third Business Day
immediately succeeding the Conversion Date and the Business Day after such Holder has paid in full
all applicable taxes and duties, if any.
(iii) The person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of
the Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares as of the
close of business on the applicable Conversion Date. Prior to the close of business on the
applicable Conversion Date, the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose and a Holder of shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall have no rights with respect to such Common Shares, including voting rights,
rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on
such Common Shares, by virtue of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, other than the rights set
forth in Section 5 of Division A.
(iv) In the event that an Early Conversion or Fundamental Change Conversion is effected with
respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Early Conversion or Fundamental Change Conversion, as
the case may be, the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to
countersign and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate
evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock as to which Early Conversion or Fundamental
Change Conversion, as the case may be, was not effected.
(v) In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which Common
Shares to be issued upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Stock should be registered or, if
applicable, the address to which the certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares
should be sent, the Corporation shall be entitled to register such Common Shares, and make such
payment, in the name of the Holder as shown on the records of the Corporation and, if applicable,
to send the certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares to the address of such
Holder shown on the records of the Corporation.
(vi) Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to be Outstanding on the applicable
Conversion Date, subject to the right of Holders of such shares to receive Common Shares issuable
upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock and other amounts and Common Shares, if
any, to which they are entitled pursuant to this Section 8 of this Subdivision and, if the
applicable Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and prior to the
immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to the right of the Holders of such shares on
such Record Date to receive payment of such declared dividend on such Dividend Payment Date
pursuant to Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
(f)
Fractional Shares
. No fractional Common Shares shall be issued to Holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock upon conversion. In lieu of any fractional Common Shares otherwise issuable in
respect of the aggregate number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of any Holder that are
converted, that Holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent)
equal to the product of: (i) that same fraction; and (ii) the Average VWAP per Common share over
the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day
immediately preceding the Conversion Date. If more than one share of the Series A Preferred Stock
is surrendered for, or subject to, conversion at one time by or for the same Holder, the number of
Common Shares issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock so surrendered for, or subject to, conversion.
(g)
Reservation of Shares; Shares to Be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental Requirements;
Listing of Common Shares.
The Corporation covenants and agrees that:
(i) it shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, solely for
issuance upon conversion of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock a number of its authorized but
unissued Common Shares or treasury shares equal to the maximum number of Common Shares deliverable
by the Corporation upon conversion of all Outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) prior to the delivery of any securities that the Corporation shall be obligated to
deliver upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, it shall comply with all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations that require action to be taken by the Corporation
(including, without limitation, the registration or approval, if required, of any Common Shares to
be provided for the purpose of conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock hereunder); and
(iii) all Common Shares issued and delivered upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock
shall, upon such issuance and delivery, be duly and validly issued and fully paid and
nonassessable, free of all liens and charges and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(h) To the extent a shelf registration statement is required in the reasonable judgment of the
Corporation in connection with the issuance of or for resales of the Common Shares issued in
connection with any increases to the Conversion Rate as described in Section 8(b) or Section 8(c)
of this Subdivision or to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate as described in Section 8(d) of
this Subdivision, the Corporation shall, to the extent such a registration statement is not
currently filed and effective, use its reasonable best efforts to file and maintain the
effectiveness of such a shelf registration statement until the earlier of such time as all such
Common Shares have been resold thereunder and such time as all such Common Shares are freely
tradable without registration. To the extent applicable, the Corporation shall also use its
reasonable best efforts to have the Common Shares qualified or registered under applicable state
securities laws, if required, and approved for listing on The New York Stock Exchange (or if the
Common Shares are not listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national
or regional securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed).
Section 9
. Adjustments to the Conversion Rate.
Each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted
by the Corporation if:
(a)
Share Dividends and Distributions.
The Corporation issues Common Shares to all or
substantially all holders of the Common Shares as a dividend or other distribution, in which event,
each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for determination
of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall
be divided by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of
business on the date fixed for such determination, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at
the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the total number of Common
Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. If any dividend
or distribution described in this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision is declared but not so paid or
made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of
Directors publicly announces its decision not to make such dividend or distribution, to such Fixed
Conversion Rate that would be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
For the purposes of this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision, the number of Common Shares outstanding
at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination shall not include shares held in
treasury but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu
of fractions of Common Shares. The Corporation shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution
on Common Shares held in treasury.
(b)
Issuance of Share Purchase Rights.
The Corporation issues to all or substantially all
holders of the Common Shares rights or warrants (other than rights or warrants issued pursuant to a
dividend reinvestment plan or share purchase plan or other similar plans) entitling them, for a
period of up to 45 calendar days from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, to subscribe
for or purchase Common Shares at less than the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, in which
case each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for
determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such rights or warrants shall
be increased by multiplying such Fixed Conversion Rate by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at the
close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the number of Common Shares issuable
pursuant to such rights or warrants, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at
the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the number of Common Shares
equal to the quotient of the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants,
divided by
the Current Market Price of the Common Shares.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. In the event that
such rights or warrants described in this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision are not so issued, each
Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly
announces its decision not to issue such rights or warrants, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that
would then be in effect if such issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights or
warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or Common Shares are otherwise not delivered
pursuant to such rights or warrants upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, each Fixed
Conversion Rate shall be decreased to such fixed conversion rate that would then be in effect had
the increase made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of the
delivery of only the number of Common Shares actually delivered. In determining whether any rights
or warrants entitle the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at less than the
Current Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price payable for such Common
Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights or warrants
and the value of such consideration (if other than cash) to be determined by the Board of
Directors. For the purposes of this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, the number of Common Shares
at the time outstanding shall not include shares held in treasury but shall include any shares
issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of Common Shares. The
Corporation shall not issue any such rights or warrants in respect of Common Shares held in
treasury.
(c)
Subdivisions and Combinations of the Common Shares.
The Corporation subdivides or combines
the Common Shares, in which event each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on
the effective date of such subdivision or combination shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares that would be outstanding
immediately after, and solely as a result of, such subdivision or combination, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately
prior to such subdivision or combination.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9(c) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the effective date of such subdivision or combination.
(d)
Security or Asset Distribution.
The Corporation distributes to all or substantially all
holders of the Common Shares evidences of its indebtedness, shares of its Capital Stock,
securities, rights to acquire its Capital Stock, cash or other assets (excluding any dividend or
distribution covered by Section 9(a) of this Subdivision, any rights or warrants covered by Section
9(b) of this Subdivision, any dividend or distribution covered by Section 9(e) of this Subdivision
and any Spin-Off to which the provisions set forth in this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision shall
apply) (any of the foregoing, the
Distributed Property
), in which event each Fixed Conversion
Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of holders of the
Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares
minus
the
Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on such date fixed for determination,
of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one Common Share.
In the event that the Corporation makes a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares
consisting of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interests in, or relating to a Subsidiary or
other business unit of the Corporation (herein referred to as a
Spin-Off
), each Fixed Conversion
Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of holders of the
Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the Current Market Price of the Common Shares
and the Fair Market Value, as determined by the Board of Directors, of the portion of those shares
of Capital Stock or similar equity interests so distributed applicable to one Common Share as of
the fifteenth Trading Day after the effective date for such distribution (or, if such shares of
Capital Stock or equity interests are listed on a national or regional securities exchange, the
Current Market Price of such securities), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of
the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that such distribution
described in this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall
be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not
to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such
distribution had not been declared. If an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate is required
under Section 9(d) of this Subdivision during the Final Averaging Period in respect of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock that are subject to Mandatory Conversion, delivery of the Common Shares
issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be delayed to the extent
necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 9(d) of this
Subdivision.
For purposes of this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision (and subject in all respects to Section
9(b) of this Subdivision), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or
substantially all holders of Common Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or
purchase shares of the Corporations Capital Stock (either initially or under certain
circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or
events (
Trigger Event
): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such Common Shares; (ii) are not
exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Shares, shall be
deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision (and no
adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision will be
required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options and
warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is
required) to each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants
distributed prior to the Initial Issue Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which
such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of
indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be
deemed to be the date of distribution and date fixed for the determination of holders of the Common
Shares entitled to receive the relevant distribution with respect to new rights, options or
warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed
to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition,
in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any
Trigger Event or other event of the type described in the preceding sentence with respect thereto
that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to each
Fixed Conversion Rate under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision was made, (1) in the case of any
such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise
by any holders thereof, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final redemption
or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though
it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a
holder or holders of Common Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such
holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Shares as of
the date of such redemption or repurchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants
that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, each Fixed
Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of this Section 9(d) and Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, any
dividend or distribution to which this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision is applicable that also
includes Common Shares, or rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares
(or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of
indebtedness, assets or shares of capital stock other than such Common Shares or rights, options or
warrants (and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 9(d) of this
Subdivision with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed
by (2) a dividend or distribution of such Common Shares or such rights, options or warrants (and
any further Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this
Subdivision with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made), except (A) the date
fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such dividend or
distribution shall be substituted as the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common
Shares entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution, the date fixed for determination
of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such rights or warrants and the date
fixed for such determination within the meaning of Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this
Subdivision and (B) any Common Shares included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed
outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination within the meaning
of Section 9(a) of this Subdivision.
(e)
Cash Distributions
. The Corporation makes a distribution consisting exclusively of cash
to all or substantially all holders of the Common Shares other than a regular, quarterly cash
dividend that does not exceed $0.15 per Common Share (the
Initial Dividend Threshold
) (excluding
any cash that is distributed in a Reorganization Event, any dividend or distribution in connection
with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and any consideration payable as
part of a tender or exchange offer covered by Section 9(f) of this Subdivision), in which event,
each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for determination
of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a
fraction,
(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares
minus
the
Initial Dividend Threshold (
provided
that if the relevant distribution is not a regular quarterly
cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be deemed to be zero), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares
minus
the
amount per Common Share of such distribution.
The Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment in a manner inversely
proportional to adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates;
provided
that no adjustment shall be
made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to
this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of
the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that any distribution
described in this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall
be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not
to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such
distribution had not been declared.
(f)
Self-Tender Offers and Exchange Offers.
The Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
successfully completes a tender or exchange offer pursuant to a Schedule TO or registration
statement on Form S-4 for the Common Shares (excluding any securities convertible or exchangeable
for the Common Shares), where the cash and the value of any other consideration included in the
payment per Common Share exceeds the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, in which event each
Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date of expiration of the tender or
exchange offer (the
Expiration Date
) shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be equal to the sum of (x) the aggregate cash and the Fair
Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on the Expiration Date of any other
consideration paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer; and (y) the
product of (A) the Current Market Price of the Common Shares and (B) the number of Common Shares
outstanding immediately after such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the
purchase or exchange of shares pursuant to such tender or exchange offer), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be equal to the product of (x) the Current Market Price of
the Common Shares and (y) the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the time
such tender or exchange offer expires.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision shall become effective
immediately after the close of business on the seventh Trading Day immediately following the
Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation, or one of its Subsidiaries, is obligated to
purchase the Common Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the
Corporation, or such Subsidiary, is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such
purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then each Fixed Conversation Rate shall be
readjusted to be such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or
exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application
of this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in a
decrease in each Fixed Conversation Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or
exchange offer under this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision. If an adjustment to each Fixed
Conversion Rate is required pursuant to this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision during the Final
Averaging Period in respect of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are subject to Mandatory
Conversion, delivery of the related conversion consideration will be delayed to the extent
necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 9(f) of this
Subdivision.
(g) Except with respect to a Spin-Off, in cases where the Fair Market Value of the Distributed
Property (in the case of an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates to be made pursuant to Section
9(d) of this Subdivision) or cash (in the case of an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates to be
made pursuant to Section 9(e) of this Subdivision) applicable to one Common Share distributed to
shareholders equals or exceeds the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading
Day period ending on the Trading Day before the ex-date for such distribution, rather than being
entitled to an adjustment in each Fixed Conversion Rate, Holders shall be entitled to receive upon
conversion, in addition to a number of Common Shares otherwise deliverable on the applicable
Conversion Date, the kind and amount of the Distributed Property comprising the distribution that
such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, immediately prior to the date fixed for
determining the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive the distribution, for each share
of Series A Preferred Stock, a number of Common Shares equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate in
effect on the date of such distribution.
(h)
Rights Plans.
To the extent that the Corporation has a rights plan in effect with respect
to the Common Shares on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock, a converting Holder shall receive, in addition to Common Shares, the rights under
the rights plan, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have separated from the Common
Shares, in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if
the Corporation made a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares as described in Section
9(d) of this Subdivision, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or
redemption of such rights. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a rights plan that
would allow a Holder to receive upon conversion, in addition to any Common Shares, the rights
described therein (unless such rights or warrants have separated from the Common Shares) shall not
constitute a distribution of rights or warrants that would entitle such Holder to an adjustment to
the Fixed Conversion Rates.
(i)
Adjustment for Tax Reasons.
The Corporation may make such increases in the Fixed
Conversion Rates, in addition to those required by this Section 9 of this Subdivision, as the
Corporation deems advisable in order to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common
Shares resulting from any dividend or distribution of Common Shares (or issuance of rights or
warrants to acquire Common Shares) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for
any other reason. The Corporation may only make such a discretionary adjustment if it makes the
same proportionate adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation from time to time may also increase
the Fixed Conversion Rates by any amount if the Board of Directors shall have made a determination
that such increase would be in the best interests of the Corporation, which determination shall be
conclusive. Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates are increased pursuant to the preceding sentence,
the Corporation shall mail to Holders and file with the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent a
notice of the increase, and such notice shall state each increased Fixed Conversion Rate and the
period during which it will be in effect. The Corporation may only make such a discretionary
adjustment if it makes the same proportionate adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate.
(j)
Calculation of Adjustments.
Adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this Section
9 of this Subdivision shall be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share. Prior to the
Mandatory Conversion Date, no adjustment in a Fixed Conversion Rate shall be required unless the
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent in such Fixed Conversion
Rate. If any adjustment is not required to be made because it would not change the Fixed Conversion
Rates by at least one percent, then the adjustment shall be carried forward and taken into account
in any subsequent adjustment;
provided
,
however
, that with respect to adjustments to be made to the
Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to this Section 9 of this Subdivision, the Corporation shall make
such adjustments, regardless of whether such aggregate adjustments amount to one percent or more of
the Fixed Conversion Rates, no later than February 1 of each calendar year;
provided further
that
on the earlier of any Mandatory Conversion, any Early Conversion Date and any Effective Date of a
Fundamental Change, adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made with respect to any
such adjustment carried forward that has not been taken into account before such date.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment increasing a Fixed Conversion Rate to
an amount that would cause the relevant Conversion Price to be reduced below the then par value, if
any, of the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation
will take all corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that
the Corporation may validly and legally issue such Common Shares at such adjusted Fixed Conversion
Rate.
(k) The Fixed Conversion Rates will not be adjusted:
(i) upon the issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to any present or future plan providing
for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Corporation and the
investment of additional optional amounts in Common Shares under any plan;
(ii) upon the issuance of Common Shares or rights or warrants to purchase those shares
pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or
assumed by the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;
(iii) upon the issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or
exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the Initial Issue Date;
(iv) for a change solely in the par value of the Common Shares; or
(v) for accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, except as set forth
in Section 8(b), Section 8(c) and Section 8(d) of this Subdivision.
To the extent the Series A Preferred Stock becomes convertible into cash, assets, property or
securities (other than Capital Stock of the Corporation or any other Person), no adjustment need be
made thereafter as to the cash, assets, property or securities. Interest will not accrue on any
cash into which the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible.
(l) No adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made if Holders may participate, at
the same time, upon the same terms and otherwise on the same basis as holders of the Common Shares
and solely as a result of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, in the transaction that would
otherwise give rise to such adjustment as if they held, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock,
a number of Common Shares equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate then in effect.
(m) Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates are to be
adjusted as herein provided, the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable, file with the
Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent an Officers Certificate setting forth the Fixed
Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates after such adjustment and setting
forth, in reasonable detail, a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and
until an officer of the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent shall have received such Officers
Certificate, the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
any adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and may
assume that the last the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, as the
case may be, of which it has knowledge are still in effect. As soon as practicable after delivery
of such certificate, the Corporation shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Fixed
Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates setting forth the adjusted the Fixed
Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and the date on which each adjustment
becomes effective and shall promptly mail such notice of such adjustment of the Fixed Conversion
Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates to the Holders at their address in the register.
Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
(n) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates, (1) an inversely proportional
adjustment also will be made to the Threshold Appreciation Price and the Initial Price solely for
the purposes of determining which clause of the definition of Conversion Rate will apply on the
Mandatory Conversion Date and (2) an inversely proportional adjustment also will be made to the
Floor Price. Whenever any provision of this Subdivision requires the Corporation or the Board of
Directors to calculate the VWAP per Common Share over a span of multiple days, the Board of
Directors shall make appropriate adjustments (including, without limitation, to the Applicable
Market Value, the Early Conversion Average Price, the Stock Price and the Five-Day Average Price
(as the case may be)) to account for any adjustments to the Initial Price, the Threshold
Appreciation Price and the Fixed Conversion Rates (as the case may be) that become effective, or
any event that would require such an adjustment if the ex-date, effective date or Expiration Date
(as the case may be) of such event occurs, during the relevant period used to calculate such prices
or values (as the case may be).
(o) If:
(i) the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive a
dividend or distribution on the Common Shares occurs after the end of the Final Averaging Period
and before the Mandatory Conversion Date, and
(ii) that dividend or distribution would have resulted in an adjustment of the number of
Common Shares issuable to Holders had such date fixed for such determination occurred on or before
the last Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period,
then the Corporation shall deem the Holders to be holders of record, for each share of Series
A Preferred Stock that they hold, of a number of Common Shares equal to the Conversion Rate for
purposes of that dividend or distribution. In such case, the Holders would receive the dividend or
distribution on the Common Shares together with the number of Common Shares issuable upon Mandatory
Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 10.
Reclassifications, Reclassifications and Changes in the Common Shares.
(B) In
the event of:
(i) any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another Person (other than a
merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and in which the
Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation are not exchanged for
cash, securities or other property of the Corporation or another Person);
(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of
the property and assets of the Corporation;
(iii) any reclassification of the Common Shares into securities, including securities other
than the Common Shares; or
(iv) any statutory exchange of the securities of the Corporation with another Person (other
than in connection with a merger or acquisition),
in each case, as a result of which the Common Shares would be converted into, or exchanged
for, securities, cash or property (each, a
Reorganization Event
), each share of Series A
Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall, without the
consent of the Holders, become convertible into the kind of securities, cash and other property
that such Holder would have been entitled to receive if such Holder had converted its Series A
Preferred Stock into Common Shares immediately prior to such Reorganization Event (such securities,
cash and other property, the
Exchange Property
, with each
unit of Exchange Property
meaning the
kind and amount of Exchange Property that a holder of one Common Share is entitled to receive). For
purposes of the foregoing, the type and amount of Exchange Property in the case of any
Reorganization Event that causes the Common Shares to be converted into the right to receive more
than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of shareholder
election) shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration
received by the holders of the Common Shares that affirmatively make such an election (or of all
holders of the Common Shares if none makes an election). The Corporation shall notify Holders of
the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The number of units
of Exchange Property for each share of Series A Preferred Stock converted following the effective
date of such Reorganization Event shall be determined as if references to the Common Shares in the
definition of Conversion Rate applicable upon Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 8(b) of
this Subdivision, conversion at the option of the holder pursuant to Section 8(c) of this
Subdivision and conversion at the option of the holder upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to
Section 8(d) of this Subdivision were to units of Exchange Property (without interest thereon and
without any right to dividends or distributions thereon which have a record date prior to the date
such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are actually converted). For the purpose of determining
which clause of the definition of Conversion Rate shall apply upon Mandatory Conversion, and for
the purpose of calculating the Conversion Rate if clause (b) of the definition thereof is
applicable, the value of a unit of Exchange Property shall be determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors, except that if a unit of Exchange Property includes common stock or American
Depositary Receipts (
ADRs
) that are traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, the value of
such common stock or ADRs shall be the average over the Final Averaging Period of the
volume-weighted average prices for such common stock or ADRs, as displayed on the applicable
Bloomberg screen (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors); or, if such price is not
available, the average market value per share of such common stock or ADRs over such period as
determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent
investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose. The Corporation (or any
successor to the Corporation) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any event within 20
calendar days) after the occurrence of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the
Holders of such occurrence and of the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property that
constitute the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice will not affect the operation of
the provisions described in this Section 10 of this Subdivision.
(b) In connection with any Reorganization Event, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be
subject to adjustment as described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, as the case
may be.
(i) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as
appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any dissenters appraisal rights) is
composed entirely of shares of common stock (the
Reorganization Common Stock
), the Initial
Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event will be equal to
(x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization
Event,
divided by
(y) the number of shares of Reorganization Common Stock that a holder of one
Common Share would receive in such Reorganization Event (such quotient rounded down to the nearest
cent).
(ii) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as
appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any dissenters appraisal rights) is
composed in part of shares of Reorganization Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and
after the effective time of such Reorganization Event will be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend
Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event,
multiplied by
(y)
the Reorganization Valuation Percentage for such Reorganization Event (such product rounded down to
the nearest cent).
(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange
Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any
dissenters appraisal rights) is composed entirely of consideration other than shares of common
stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event
will be equal to zero.
Section 11.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
. The duly appointed Transfer Agent and Registrar
for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Corporation may, in its sole
discretion, remove the Transfer Agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and
the Transfer Agent;
provided
that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent who
shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.
Section 12.
Currency.
All shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be denominated in U.S.
currency, and all payments and distributions thereon or with respect thereto shall be made in U.S.
currency. All references herein to
$
or
dollars
refer to U.S. currency.
Section 13.
Form.
(a) The Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued in the form of one or
more definitive shares in fully registered form in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A (each, a
Certificated Series A Preferred Stock
), which is hereby incorporated in and
expressly made a part of this Certificate. Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall reflect
the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented thereby, and may have notations,
legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules, agreements to which the Corporation
is subject, if any, or usage (
provided
that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form
acceptable to the Corporation). Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be registered in
the name or names of the Person or Persons specified by the Depositary in a written instrument to
the Registrar.
(b) The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President or a Vice President and the
Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation shall
sign each share of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock for the Corporation, in accordance with
the Corporations code of regulations and applicable law, including Section 1701.24 of the Ohio
Revised Code, by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Certificated
Series A Preferred Stock no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent countersigned
the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be valid
nevertheless. The Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall not be valid until an authorized
signatory of the Transfer Agent manually countersigns such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock.
The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock has been
authenticated under this Subdivision. Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be dated the
date of its countersignature.
Section 14.
Replacement Certificates.
The Corporation shall replace any mutilated
certificate at the Holders expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Corporation. The
Corporation shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the Holders
expense upon delivery to the Corporation of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate
has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by
the Corporation;
provided
that the Corporation shall not be required to issue any additional
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock on or after the Mandatory Conversion Date.
In place of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the Mandatory Conversion Date, the
Transfer Agent, upon delivery of the evidence and indemnity described in the immediately preceding
sentence, shall deliver the consideration due upon Mandatory Conversion pursuant to the terms of
the Series A Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the certificate.
Section 15.
Paying Agent and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent
. (a) The Corporation
shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York (i) an office or
agency where Series A Preferred Stock may be presented for payment (the
Paying Agent
) and (ii) an
office or agency where Series A Preferred Stock may be presented for conversion (the
Conversion
and Dividend Disbursing Agent
). The Transfer Agent shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion and
Dividend Disbursing Agent, unless another Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent
is appointed by the Corporation. The Corporation may appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and
the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents
and one or more additional conversion and dividend disbursing agents in such other locations as it
shall determine. The term
Paying Agent
includes any additional paying agent and the term
Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent
includes any additional conversion and dividend
disbursing agent. The Corporation may change any Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing
Agent without prior notice to any holder. The Corporation shall notify the Registrar of the name
and address of any Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent appointed by the
Corporation. If the Corporation fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or
Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent, the Registrar shall act as such. The Corporation or any
of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, coregistrar or Conversion and Dividend
Disbursing Agent.
(b) Payments due on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable at the office or agency of
the Corporation maintained for such purpose in The City of New York and at any other office or
agency maintained by the Corporation for such purpose. Payments shall be payable by United States
dollar check drawn on, or wire transfer (
provided
that appropriate wire instructions have been
received by the Registrar at least 15 days prior to the applicable date of payment) to a U.S.
dollar account maintained by the holder with, a bank located in New York City;
provided
that at the
option of the Corporation, payment of dividends may be made by check mailed to the address of the
Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Series A Preferred Stock register.
Section 16.
Notices
. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Subdivision is
required or permitted to be given or served by the Transfer Agent or by the Holders on the
Corporation shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or
served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter
box addressed (until another address is filed by the Corporation with the Transfer Agent) to Cliffs
Natural Resources Inc., 200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, OH 44114, Attention: General
Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Transfer Agent shall be
deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being
deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Attn: Relationship Management, 110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101, Mendota
Heights, Minnesota 55120-4101.
The Transfer Agent, by notice to the Corporation, may designate additional or different
addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it by first class mail,
postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the stock register and shall be sufficiently given
to it if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its
sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner
provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it
shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be
made with the approval of the Transfer Agent shall constitute a sufficient notification for every
purpose hereunder.
Section 17.
Transfer Taxes
. The Corporation shall pay any and all stock transfer and
documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or Common Shares or other securities issued on account of
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including upon conversion) pursuant hereto or certificates
representing such shares or securities. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any
such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of
Common Shares or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of Mandatory
Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to which such Common Shares or other securities are issued
or delivered were registered, and shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery
unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the
Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation,
that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
Section 18.
Headings
. The headings of the Sections of this Subdivision are for convenience
of reference only and shall not define, limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
DIVISION B:
The Class B Preferred Stock shall have the following express terms:
SECTION 1.
Series
. The Class B Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or
more series. All shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall be of equal rank and shall be identical,
except in respect of the matters that may be fixed by the Directors as hereinafter provided, and
each share of each series shall be identical with all other shares of such series, except as to the
date from which dividends are cumulative. All shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall also be of
equal rank and shall be identical with shares of Class A Preferred Stock except in respect of (i)
the particulars that may be fixed and determined by the Directors as hereinafter provided, (ii) the
voting rights and provisions for consent relating to Class B Preferred Stock, as fixed and
determined by Section 5 of this Division B and (iii) any conversion rights which the Directors may
grant any series of Class A Preferred Stock which rights shall not be granted in respect of any
series of Class B Preferred Stock. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of
this Division B, which provisions shall apply to all Class B Preferred Stock, the Directors hereby
are authorized to cause such shares to be issued in one or more series and with respect to each
such series to fix:
(a) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter and/or title.
(b) The number of shares of the series, which number the Directors may (except where otherwise
provided in the creation of the series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding).
(c) The dividend rights of the series which may be: cumulative or non-cumulative; at a
specified rate, amount or proportion; or with or without further participation rights.
(d) The dates at which dividends, if declared, shall be payable, and the dates from which
dividends, if cumulative, shall accumulate.
(e) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.
(f) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares
of the series.
(g) The amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(h) Restrictions (in addition to those set forth in Section 5(c) of this Division) on the
issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.
The Directors are authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the Articles of
Incorporation fixing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in clauses (a) to
(h), inclusive, of this Section 1.
SECTION 2.
Dividends
.
(a) The holders of Class B Preferred Stock of each series, in preference to the holders of
Common Shares and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, shall
be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefor and when and as declared by the
Directors dividends in cash at the rate for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1 of this Division B and no more, payable on the dividend payment dates fixed for such
series. Such dividends may be cumulative, in the case of shares of each particular series, from
and after the date or dates fixed with respect to such series. No dividend may be paid upon or set
apart for any of the Class B Preferred Stock on any dividend payment date unless (i) all dividends
upon all series of Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then
outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock for all dividend
payment dates prior to such date shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) at the
same time a like dividend upon all series of Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding and all
classes of stock then outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock
and having a dividend payment date on such date, ratably in proportion to the respective dividend
rates of each such series or class, shall be paid or funds therefor set apart. Accumulations of
dividends, if any, shall not bear interest.
(b) For the purpose of this Division B, a dividend shall be deemed to have been paid or funds
therefor set apart on any date if on or prior to such date the Corporation shall have deposited
funds sufficient therefor with a bank or trust company and shall have caused checks drawn against
such funds in appropriate amounts to be mailed to each holder of record entitled to receive such
dividend at such holders address then appearing on the books of the Corporation.
(c) In no event so long as any Class B Preferred Stock shall be outstanding shall any
dividends, except a dividend payable in Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class B
Preferred Stock, be paid or declared or any distribution be made except as aforesaid on the Common
Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, nor shall any Common
Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock be purchased, retired or
otherwise acquired by the Corporation (except out of the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or
other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock received by the Corporation on or
subsequent to the date on which shares of any series of Class B Preferred Stock are first issued) ,
unless (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends upon all Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding for
all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of such action shall have been paid or funds
therefor set apart and (ii) as of the date of such action there shall be no arrearages with respect
to the redemption of Class B Preferred Stock of any series from any sinking fund provided for
shares of such series in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division B.
SECTION 3.
Redemption
.
(a) Subject to the express terms of each series and to the provisions of Section 5(c)(iii) of
this Division B, the Corporation (i) may from time to time redeem all or any part of the Class B
Preferred Stock of any series at the time outstanding at the option of the Directors at the
applicable redemption price for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of
this Division B, and (ii) shall from time to time make such redemptions of the Class B Preferred
Stock of any series as may be required to fulfill the requirements of any sinking fund provided for
shares of such series at the applicable sinking fund redemption price, fixed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1 of this Division B, together in each case with (A) all then accrued and
unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the redemption date
and (B) if the redemption date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate
dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent
such dividend payment date through the redemption date.
(b) Notice of every such redemption shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the holders of record
of the Class B Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses then appearing on the
books of the Corporation, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
such redemption. At any time before or after notice has been given as above provided, the
Corporation may deposit the aggregate redemption price of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock to
be redeemed, together with an amount equal to the aggregate amount of dividends payable upon such
redemption, with any bank or trust company in Cleveland, Ohio, or New York, New York, having
capital and surplus of more than $50,000,000, named in such notice, and direct that such deposited
amount be paid to the respective holders of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock so to be redeemed
upon surrender of the stock certificate or certificates held by such holders. Upon the giving of
such notice and the making of such deposit such holders shall cease to be shareholders with respect
to such shares and shall have no interest in or claim against the Corporation with respect to such
shares except only the right to receive such money from such bank or trust company without interest
or to exercise, before the redemption date, any unexpired privileges of conversion. In case less
than all of the outstanding shares of any series of Class B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the
Corporation shall select, pro rata or by lot, the shares so to be redeemed in such manner as shall
be prescribed by the Directors.
(c) If the holders of shares of Class B Preferred Stock which shall have been called for
redemption shall not, within six years after such deposit, claim the amount deposited for the
redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation
such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust company and the Corporation shall be
relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such holders.
(d) Any shares of Class B Preferred Stock which are (i) redeemed by the Corporation pursuant
to the provisions of this Section 3, (ii) purchased and delivered in satisfaction of any sinking
fund requirements provided for shares of any series of Class B Preferred Stock, (iii) converted in
accordance with the express terms of any such series, or (iv) otherwise acquired by the
Corporation, shall resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of Class B Preferred Stock
without serial designation; provided, however, that any such shares which are converted in
accordance with the express terms thereof shall not be reissued as convertible shares.
SECTION 4.
Liquidation
.
(a) (1) The holders of Class B Preferred Stock of any series, shall, in case of voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled
to receive in full out of the assets of the Corporation, including its capital, before any amount
shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking
junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, the amounts fixed with respect to shares of such series in
accordance with Section 1 of this Division, plus an amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid
dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of payment of the
amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (ii) if such date is not a
dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed
days, for the period from the day after the most recent dividend payment date through the date of
payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In case the net
assets of the Corporation legally available therefor are insufficient to permit the payment upon
all outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all
classes ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount to
which they are respectively entitled, then such net assets shall be distributed ratably upon
outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all classes
ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock in proportion to the full preferential amount
to which each such share is entitled.
(2) After payment to holders of Class B Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts as
aforesaid, holders of Class B Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the
remaining assets of the Corporation.
(b) The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the
merger of any other corporation into it, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially
all the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution,
liquidation or winding up for the purposes of this Division B.
SECTION 5.
Voting
.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or required by law, the holders of Class B Preferred
Stock shall not be entitled to vote.
(b) (1) If, and so often as, the Corporation shall be in default in the payment of dividends
on any series of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, or funds therefor have not been
set apart, in an amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends on any such series of Class B
Preferred Stock, whether or not consecutive and whether or not earned or declared, the holders of
Class B Preferred Stock of all series, voting separately as a class, shall thereafter be entitled
to elect, as herein provided, two Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that the special
class voting rights provided for in this paragraph when the same shall have become vested shall
remain so vested (i) in the case of cumulative dividends, until all accrued and unpaid dividends on
the Class B Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor
set apart, or (ii) in the case of non-cumulative dividends, until full dividends on the Class B
Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart
regularly for a period of one year, whereupon the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be
divested of their special class voting rights in respect of subsequent elections of Directors,
subject to the revesting of such special class voting rights in the event hereinabove specified in
this paragraph.
(2) In the event of default entitling the holders of Class B Preferred Stock to elect two
Directors as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a special meeting of such holders for
the purpose of electing such Directors shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon
written request of, or may be called by, the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the
shares of Class B Preferred Stock of all series at the time outstanding, and notice thereof shall
be given in the same manner as that required for the annual meeting of shareholders; provided,
however, that the Corporation shall not be required to call such special meeting if the annual
meeting of shareholders or any other special meeting of shareholders called or to be called for a
different purpose shall be held within 120 days after the date of receipt of the foregoing written
request from the holders of Class B Preferred Stock. At any meeting at which the holders of Class
B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect Directors, the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of
the then outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock of all series, present in person or by
proxy, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum, and the vote of the holders of a majority of
such shares so present at any such meeting at which there shall be such a quorum shall be
sufficient to elect the Directors which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock are entitled to
elect as hereinabove provided. Notwithstanding any provision of these Articles of Incorporation or
the Regulations of the Corporation or any action taken by the holders of any class of shares fixing
the number of Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors who may be elected by the holders of
Class B Preferred Stock pursuant to this subsection shall serve in addition to any other Directors
then in office or proposed to be elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Nothing in
this subsection shall prevent any change otherwise permitted in the total number of Directors of
the Corporation or require the resignation of any Director elected otherwise than pursuant to this
subsection. Notwithstanding any classification of the other Directors of the Corporation, the two
Directors elected by the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be elected annually for the terms
expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that whenever
the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting power as above provided, the
terms of office of all persons elected as Directors by the holders of the Class B Preferred Stock
as a class shall immediately terminate and the number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
(c) Except as hereinafter provided, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds
of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a
meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall vote
separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as
the holders of Class B Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be affected with such vote):
(i) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation or of the Regulations of the Corporation which affects adversely the preferences or
voting or other rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock; provided, however, that for the
purpose of this paragraph 5(c)(i) only, neither the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation so
as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding amount of Class B Preferred Stock
or of any shares of any class ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class B Stock nor the
amendment of the provisions of the Regulations so as to change the number of Directors of the
Corporation shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the
holders of Class B Preferred Stock; and provided further, that if such amendment, alteration or
repeal affects adversely the preference or voting or other rights of one or more but not all series
of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders
of at least two-thirds of the number of shares at the time outstanding of each series so affected,
each such affected series voting separately as a series, shall also be required;
(ii) The authorization, creation or the increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any
class or any security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the
Class B Preferred Stock; or
(iii) The purchase or redemption (for sinking fund purposes or otherwise) of less than all of
the Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made
to all holders of record of Class B Preferred Stock, unless all dividends on all Class B Preferred
Stock then outstanding for all previous dividend periods shall have been declared and paid or funds
therefor set apart and all accrued sinking fund obligations applicable thereto shall have been
complied with;
provided, however, that in case of any authorization, creation or increase in the authorized
amount of any shares of any class or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case,
ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock no such consent of the holders of Class B Preferred
Stock shall be required if the holders of Class B Preferred Stock have previously received adequate
notice of redemption to occur within 90 days. The foregoing proviso shall not apply and such
consent of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be required if any such redemption will be
effected, in whole or in part, with the proceeds received from the sale of any such stock or
security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class B
Preferred Stock.
(d) The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Class B
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the
purpose at which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be
necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of the Class B
Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such vote):
(i) The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation to the
extent any such consolidation or merger shall be required, pursuant to any applicable statute, to
be approved by the holders of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock voting separately as a clams;
or
(ii) The authorization of any shares ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock or
an increase in the authorized number of shares of Class B Preferred Stock.
(e) Neither the vote or consent of the holders of shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall be
required for an increase in the number of Common Shares authorized or issued or for stock splits of
the Commons Shares or for stock dividends on any class of stock payable solely in Common Shares,
and none of the foregoing actions shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or
other rights of Class B Preferred Stock within the meaning and for the purpose of this Division B.
SECTION 6.
Conversion
. There Shall not be created any series of Class B Preferred Stock
which will be convertible into Common Shares or into shares of any other class or series of the
Corporation.
SECTION 7.
Definitions
. For the purpose of this Division B:
(a) Whenever reference is made to shares ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock, such
reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of
the holders thereof either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event of a
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are given
preference over the rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock.
(b) Whenever reference is made to shares on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock, such
reference shall mean and include all shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all other shares of the
Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof (i) are not given preference over
the right of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock either as to the payment of dividends or as to
distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation and (ii) either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event
of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, or as to
both, rank on an equality (except as to the amounts fixed therefor) with the rights of the holders
of Class B Preferred Stock.
(c) Whenever reference is made to shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock such
reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of
the holders thereof both as to the payment of dividends and as to distributions in the event of a
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are junior and
subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Class B Preferred Stock.
DIVISION C:
The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of the Class A Preferred Stock and the
Class B Preferred Stock and of any series of such classes. Each Common Share shall be equal to
every other Common Share. The holders of Common Shares shall have such rights as are provided by
law and shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by them upon all matters presented to the
shareholders.
FIFTH: The amount of stated capital with which the Corporation will begin business is Five
Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
SIXTH: No holders of any class of shares of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to
purchase or to have offered to them for purchase, any shares or other securities of the
Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized.
SEVENTH: The Corporation may from time to time, pursuant to authorization by the Directors and
without action by the shareholders, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of the Corporation of any
class or classes in such manner, upon such terms and in such amounts as the Directors shall
determine, subject however, to such limitation or restriction, if any, as is contained in the
express terms of any class of shares of the Corporation outstanding at the time of the purchase or
acquisition in question.
EIGHTH: Any and every statute of the State of Ohio hereafter enacted whereby the rights,
powers or privileges of corporations or of the shareholders of corporations organized under the
laws of the State of Ohio are increased or diminished or are in any way affected, or whereby effect
is given to the action taken by any number, less than all, of the shareholders of any such
corporation, shall apply to the Corporation and shall be binding not only upon the Corporation but
upon every shareholder of the Corporation to the same extent as if such statute had been in force
at the date of filing of these Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation in the office of the
Secretary of State of Ohio.
NINTH: The right to amend, alter, change or repeal any clause or provision of these Articles
of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, is hereby reserved to the
Corporation; and all rights conferred on officers, Directors and shareholders herein are granted
subject to such reservation.
TENTH: Except as may otherwise be required by these Articles of Incorporation, notwithstanding
any provisions of Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code now or hereafter in force requiring, for
any action to be taken by the Corporation pursuant to such Chapter, the affirmative vote of the
holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the Corporation or
of any class or classes of shares thereof, such action (unless otherwise expressly prohibited by
such statute) may be taken by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to
exercise a majority of the voting power of the Corporation or of such class or classes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the immediately preceding sentence of this Article TENTH shall not
apply in respect of (a) any action taken by written consent of shareholders under Section
1701.11(A)(1)(c) (or any successor provision) of the Ohio Revised Code, (b) any action taken by
written consent of shareholders under Section 1701.54(A) (or any successor provision) of the Ohio
Revised Code, or (c) any action of shareholders under Section 1704.03(A)(3) (or any successor
provision) of the Ohio Revised Code.
1
EXHIBIT A
CUSIP NO.: 18683K 507
7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC., an Ohio corporation (the
Corporation
), hereby certifies that
[
] (the
Holder
) is the registered owner of [
] fully paid and non-assessable shares of
preferred stock of the Corporation designated the 7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred
Stock, Class A, without par value per share and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per
share (the
Series A Preferred Stock
). The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are transferable on
the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender
of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights,
privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred
Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the
Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, dated May 25, 2011, as the
same may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms (the
Articles
). Capitalized
terms used herein but not defined shall have the respective meanings given them in the Articles.
The Corporation will provide a copy of the Articles to a Holder without charge upon written request
to the Corporation at its principal place of business.
Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth on the
reverse hereof, and to the Articles, which select provisions and the Articles shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Articles and is entitled to the
benefits thereunder.
Unless the Transfer Agents Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Articles or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. has executed this certificate as of the date set
forth below.
TRANSFER AGENTS CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
REVERSE OF SECURITY
Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable in cash at a rate per annum
set forth on the face hereof or as provided in the Articles.
The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation. The shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Corporations Common Shares in the manner
and according to the terms set forth in the Articles.
The Corporation shall furnish to any Holder without charge a copy of the express terms of the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by this certificate and of the other classes and
series of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue within five days of receipt of written
request thereof.
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
evidenced hereby to:
(Insert assignees social security or tax identification number)
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoints:
agent to transfer the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the
Transfer Agent and Registrar. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Series A Preferred Stock Certificate)
2
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
Stock Price on Effective Date
Effective Date
$15.00
$20.00
$25.00
$29.00
$32.00
$35.53
$40.00
$45.00
$50.00
$55.00
$60.00
$65.00
$70.00
$80.00
$90.00
28.5480
28.7280
28.5040
28.2760
28.1200
27.9680
27.8280
27.7280
27.6760
27.6600
27.6640
27.6840
27.7120
27.7800
27.8480
30.5640
30.4040
29.8080
29.3000
28.9600
28.6320
28.3160
28.0880
27.9480
27.8760
27.8440
27.8400
27.8480
27.8880
27.9360
32.6680
32.4240
31.4840
30.5560
29.9120
29.2840
28.7080
28.3160
28.1080
28.0080
27.9720
27.9640
27.9720
28.0000
28.0320
34.4840
34.4840
34.4840
34.4840
31.2520
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
28.1480
Express Terms of the Serial Preferred Stock,
Class B, Without Par Value
Express Terms of Common Shares,
Par Value $1.00 Per Share
FORM OF 7.00% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCK, CLASS A
Shares
(without par value per share)
(liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share)
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
FACE OF SECURITY
This is one of the certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock referred to in the
within mentioned Articles.
as Transfer Agent
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A
1
1
Signature must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (i.e., a bank,
stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the
Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents
Medallion Program (STAMP) or such other signature guarantee program as may be determined by the
Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.