-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KinVpjf2i5aIHcWGtuudts1PGetpzE5R3IWh1blvpIlV6m9UMORP7BJqgTr4e0n3 QW94Qh4FtGcBMsIeeA5+rA== 0000038777-09-000137.txt : 20090209 0000038777-09-000137.hdr.sgml : 20090209 20090206181957 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000038777-09-000137 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20090209 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20090206 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PIER 1 IMPORTS INC/DE CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000278130 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-HOME FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS & EQUIPMENT STORES [5700] IRS NUMBER: 751729843 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-20038 FILM NUMBER: 09578575 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 PIER 1 PLACE CITY: FORT WORTH STATE: TX ZIP: 76102 BUSINESS PHONE: 8172526000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 100 PIER 1 PLACE CITY: FORT WORTH STATE: TX ZIP: 76102 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PIER 1 INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19860921 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PIER 1 IMPORTS INC/GA DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19840729 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NEWCORP INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19800423 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000038777 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INVESTMENT ADVICE [6282] IRS NUMBER: 132670991 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY STREET 2: BUILDING 920 CITY: SAN MATEO STATE: CA ZIP: 94403 BUSINESS PHONE: 650-312-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: FRANKLIN RESOURCES INC STREET 2: ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY CITY: SAN MATEO STATE: CA ZIP: 94403 SC 13G/A 1 pier08a4.htm

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 1 of 14

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13G

 

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

(Amendment No. 4)*

 

 

PIER 1 IMPORTS, INC.

 

(Name of Issuer)

 

 

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

 

720279108

 

 

(CUSIP Number)

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

 

 

x

Rule 13d-1(b)

 

o

Rule 13d-1(c)

 

o

Rule 13d-1(d)

 

 

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this

 

form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing

 

information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

 

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the

 

purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the

 

liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however,

 

see the Notes).

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 2 of 14

 

 

1.

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

 

 

Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

2.

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

X

 

 

3.

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 

Delaware

 

 

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

 

5.

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

6.

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

7.

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

8.

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

9.

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 

9,750,090

 

 

10.

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

 

CERTAIN SHARES o

 

 

11.

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

 

11.0%

 

 

12.

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

 

HC, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 3 of 14

 

 

 

1.

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

 

 

Charles B. Johnson

 

 

2.

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

X

 

 

3.

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 

USA

 

 

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

 

5.

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

6.

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

7.

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

8.

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

9.

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 

 

9,750,090

 

 

10.

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

 

CERTAIN SHARES o

 

 

11.

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

 

11.0%

 

 

 

12.

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

 

HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 4 of 14

 

 

 

1.

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

 

2.

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

X

 

 

3.

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 

USA

 

 

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

 

5.

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

6.

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

7.

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

8.

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

(See Item 4)

 

 

9.

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 

9,750,090

 

 

10.

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

 

CERTAIN SHARES o

 

 

11.

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

 

11.0%

 

 

 

12.

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

 

HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 5 of 14

 

 

 

1.

NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

 

2.

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

 

(a)

 

(b)

X

 

 

3.

SEC USE ONLY

 

 

4.

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

 

Canada

 

 

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

 

5.

SOLE VOTING POWER

 

 

7,172,150

 

 

6.

SHARED VOTING POWER

 

 

0

 

 

7.

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

7,172,150

 

 

8.

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

 

0

 

 

9.

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

 

7,172,150

 

 

10.

CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

 

CERTAIN SHARES o

 

 

11.

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

 

8.0%

 

 

12.

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

 

IA, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 6 of 14

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

 

(a)

Name of Issuer

 

 

PIER 1 IMPORTS, INC.

 

 

(b)

Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

 

 

100 Pier 1 Place

 

Fort Worth, TX 76102

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

 

(a)

Name of Person Filing

 

 

(i):

Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

(ii):

Charles B. Johnson

 

 

(iii):

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

 

(iv):

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

 

(b)

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

 

 

(i), (ii), and (iii):

 

One Franklin Parkway

 

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

 

 

(iv):

200 King Street West, Suite 1500

 

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3T4

 

 

(c)

Citizenship

 

 

(i):

Delaware

 

 

(ii) and (iii): USA

 

 

(iv):

Canada

 

 

(d)

Title of Class of Securities

 

 

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

 

(e)

CUSIP Number

 

 

720279108

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 7 of 14

 

 

 

Item 3.

If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the

 

person filing is a:

 

 

(a)

o Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15

 

U.S.C. 78o).

 

(b)

o Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

 

(c)

o Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15

 

U.S.C. 78c).

 

(d)

o Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment

 

Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a-8).

 

(e)

x An investment adviser in accordance with

 

§240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

 

(f)

o An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with

 

§240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

 

(g)

x A parent holding company or control person in accordance with

 

§240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

 

(h)

o A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal

 

Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

 

(i)

o A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an

 

investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company

 

Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);

 

(j)

o A non-U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(ii)(J);

 

 

(k)

o Group, in accordance with §240.13d 1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

 

 

Item 4.

Ownership

 

 

The securities reported herein (the “Securities”) are beneficially owned by one or more open- or

 

closed-end investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of

 

investment managers that are direct and indirect subsidiaries (each, an “Investment Management Subsidiary”

 

and, collectively, the “Investment Management Subsidiaries”) of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”),

 

including the Investment Management Subsidiaries listed in Item 7. Investment management contracts grant

 

to the Investment Management Subsidiaries all investment and/or voting power over the securities owned by

 

such investment management clients, unless otherwise noted in this Item 4. Therefore, for purposes of

 

Rule 13d-3 under the Act, the Investment Management Subsidiaries may be deemed to be the beneficial owners

 

of the Securities.

 

 

Beneficial ownership by investment management subsidiaries and other affiliates of FRI is being reported

 

in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff in Release No. 34-39538 (January 12, 1998)

 

relating to organizations, such as FRI, where related entities exercise voting and investment powers over

 

the securities being reported independently from each other. The voting and investment powers held by

 

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC (“FMA”), an indirect wholly-owned Investment Management Subsidiary, are

 

exercised independently from FRI and from all other Investment Management Subsidiaries (FRI, its

 

affiliates and the Investment Management Subsidiaries other than FMA are collectively, “FRI affiliates”).

 

Furthermore, internal policies and procedures of FMA and FRI establish informational barriers that prevent

 

the flow between FMA and the FRI affiliates of information that relates to the voting and investment

 

powers over the securities owned by their respective investment management clients. Consequently, FMA and

 

the FRI affiliates report the securities over which they hold investment and voting power separately from

 

each other for purposes of Section 13 of the Act.

 

 

Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the “Principal Shareholders”) each own in excess of 10% of

 

the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal stockholders of FRI. FRI and the Principal

 

Shareholders may be deemed to be, for purposes of Rule 13d-3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of

 

securities held by persons and entities for whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment

 

management services. The number of shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned and the percentage

 

of the class of which such shares are a part are reported in Items 9 and 11 of the cover pages for FRI and

 

each of the Principal Shareholders. FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the Investment Management

 

Subsidiaries disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of the Securities. In addition, the filing of this

 

Schedule 13G on behalf of the Principal Shareholders, FRI and FRI affiliates, as applicable, should not be

 

construed as an admission that any of them is, and each disclaims that it is, the beneficial owner, as

 

defined in Rule 13d-3, of any of the Securities.

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 8 of 14

 

 

FRI, the Principal Shareholders, and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries believe that they are

 

not a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Act and that they are not otherwise required to

 

attribute to each other the beneficial ownership of the Securities held by any of them or by any persons

 

or entities for whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment management services.

 

 

(a)

Amount beneficially owned:

 

 

9,750,090

 

 

(b)

Percent of class:

 

 

11.0%

 

 

(c)

Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

 

(i)

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

 

Franklin Resources, Inc.:

0

 

 

Charles B. Johnson:

0

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:

0

 

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.:

7,172,150

 

 

 

Franklin Advisory Services, LLC:

2,425,000

 

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited:

35,630

 

 

(ii)

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

 

0

 

 

(iii)

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

 

Franklin Resources, Inc.:

0

 

 

Charles B. Johnson:

0

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:

0

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.:

7,172,150

 

 

Franklin Advisory Services, LLC:

2,503,000

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited:

74,940

 

 

(iv)

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

 

0

 

 

Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

 

 

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting

 

person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of

 

securities, check the following o. Not Applicable

 

 

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

 

 

The clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including investment companies registered

 

under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive

 

or power to direct the receipt of dividends from, as well as the proceeds from the sale of, such

 

securities reported on in this statement.

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 9 of 14

 

 

 

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on

 

By the Parent Holding Company

 

 

See Attached Exhibit C

 

(See also Item 4)

 

 

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

 

 

Not Applicable (See also Item 4)

 

 

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group

 

 

Not Applicable

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 10 of 14

 

 

Item 10.

Certification

 

 

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above

 

were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for

 

the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities

 

and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having

 

that purpose or effect.

 

 

This report shall not be construed as an admission by the persons filing the report that they are the

 

beneficial owner of any securities covered by this report.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set

 

forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

 

Dated:

January 28, 2009

 

 

Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

Charles B. Johnson

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

 

 

By:

/s/MARIA GRAY

 

-----------------------------

 

Maria Gray

 

Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this

 

Schedule 13G

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this

 

Schedule 13G

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

 

 

By:

/s/BRAD G. BEUTTENMILLER

 

-----------------------------

 

Brad G. Beuttenmiller

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Canada and Corporate Secretary

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 11 of 14

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

 

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned

 

hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the attached statement on Schedule 13G and to all

 

amendments to such statement and that such statement and all amendments to such statement are made on

 

behalf of each of them.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on

 

January 28, 2009.

 

 

Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

Charles B. Johnson

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

 

 

By:

/s/MARIA GRAY

 

-----------------------------

 

Maria Gray

 

Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this

 

Schedule 13G

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to this

 

Schedule 13G

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

 

 

 

By:

/s/BRAD G. BEUTTENMILLER

 

-----------------------------

 

Brad G. Beuttenmiller

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Counsel, Canada and Corporate Secretary

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 12 of 14

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

 

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

FOR

 

SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

 

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each of

 

Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful

 

attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority as hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name,

 

place and stead of the undersigned to:

 

 

(1)

prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G (including any amendments

 

thereto or any related documentation) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any

 

national securities exchanges and Franklin Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting

 

Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and

 

the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

 

(2)

perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney-in-fact are necessary or

 

desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the foregoing.

 

 

The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

 

(1)

this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such attorney-in-fact to act in

 

their discretion on information provided to such attorney-in-fact without independent verification of such

 

information;

 

 

(2)

any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned

 

pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will contain such information and

 

disclosure as such attorney-in-fact, in his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

 

 

(3)

neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys-in-fact assumes (i) any liability for the

 

undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of

 

the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements; and

 

 

(4)

this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility for compliance

 

with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including without limitation the reporting

 

requirements under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact full power and

 

authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or appropriate to

 

be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might

 

or could do if present, hereby ratifying all that each such attorney-in-fact of, for and on behalf of the

 

undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney.

 

 

This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned

 

in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney-in-fact.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be executed as

 

of this

30th

day of

April

, 2007

 

 

/s/Charles B. Johnson

 

 

Signature

 

 

Charles B. Johnson

 

 

Print Name

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 13 of 14

 

 

 

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

FOR

 

SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

 

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each of

 

Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the undersigned’s true and lawful

 

attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority as hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name,

 

place and stead of the undersigned to:

 

 

(1)

prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G (including any amendments

 

thereto or any related documentation) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, any

 

national securities exchanges and Franklin Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting

 

Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and

 

the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

 

(2)

perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney-in-fact are necessary or

 

desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the foregoing.

 

 

The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

 

(1)

this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such attorney-in-fact to act in

 

their discretion on information provided to such attorney-in-fact without independent verification of such

 

information;

 

 

(2)

any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned

 

pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will contain such information and

 

disclosure as such attorney-in-fact, in his or her discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

 

 

(3)

neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys-in-fact assumes (i) any liability for the

 

undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of

 

the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements; and

 

 

(4)

this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility for compliance

 

with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including without limitation the reporting

 

requirements under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys-in-fact full power and

 

authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary or appropriate to

 

be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might

 

or could do if present, hereby ratifying all that each such attorney-in-fact of, for and on behalf of the

 

undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney.

 

 

This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the undersigned

 

in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney-in-fact.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be executed as

 

of this

25th

day of

April

, 2007

 

 

/s/ Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

Signature

 

 

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

Print Name

 

 


 

 

CUSIP NO.

720279108

13G

Page 14 of 14

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

 

Franklin Advisory Services, LLC

Item 3 Classification: 3(e)

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited

Item 3 Classification: 3(e)

 

 

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

Item 3 Classification: 3(e)

 

 

 

-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----