424B3 1 d647026d424b3.htm 424B3 424B3

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-239940

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 75

(to Prospectus dated July 27, 2020)

 

LOGO

Nikola Corporation

Up to 249,843,711 Shares of Common Stock

 

 

This prospectus supplement supplements the prospectus dated July 27, 2020 (the “Prospectus”), which forms a part of our registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-239940). This prospectus supplement is being filed to update and supplement the information in the Prospectus with the information contained in our current report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2023 (the “Current Report”). Accordingly, we have attached the Current Report to this prospectus supplement.

The Prospectus and this prospectus supplement relate to the offer and sale from time to time by the selling securityholders named in the Prospectus or their donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest (the “Selling Securityholders”) of up to 249,843,711 shares of our common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), which includes (i) up to 6,640,000 shares held by certain persons and entities (the “Original Holders”) holding shares of Common Stock initially purchased by VectoIQ Holdings, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and Cowen Investments II, LLC (“Cowen Investments” and, together with the Sponsor, the “Founders”) in a private placement in connection with the initial public offering of VectoIQ Acquisition Corp. and (ii) 243,203,711 shares held by certain affiliates of the Company. We are registering the shares for resale pursuant to such stockholders’ registration rights under a Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement between us and such stockholders, which in addition to such registration rights, also provides for certain transfer and lock-up restrictions on such shares.

Our Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “NKLA”. On December 11, 2023, the closing price of our Common Stock was $0.6875.

This prospectus supplement updates and supplements the information in the Prospectus and is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in combination with, the Prospectus, including any amendments or supplements thereto. This prospectus supplement should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and if there is any inconsistency between the information in the Prospectus and this prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

 

 

See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of the Prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus supplement is December 12, 2023.


 

 

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): December 7, 2023

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38495   82-4151153

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, AZ

  85040
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(480) 666-1038

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   NKLA   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b–2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 12, 2023, Nikola Corporation (the “Company”) consummated the sale and issuance of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) to certain underwriters (the “Notes Underwriters”). The Notes were issued pursuant to, and are governed by, an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated as of December 12, 2023, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture,” and the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), dated as of December 12, 2023, between the Company and the Trustee.

The Notes will be the Company’s senior, unsecured obligations and will be (i) equal in right of payment with the Company’s existing and future senior, unsecured indebtedness; (ii) senior in right of payment to the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the Notes; (iii) effectively subordinated to the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness; and (iv) structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, and (to the extent the Company is not a holder thereof) preferred equity, if any, of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The Notes will accrue interest at a rate of 8.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2024. The Notes will mature on December 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. At any time before the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, noteholders may convert their Notes at their option. The Company will settle conversions by delivering (i) shares of the Company’s common stock (together, if applicable, with cash in lieu of any fractional share), at the then-applicable conversion rate; and (ii) a cash amount representing the present value of remaining scheduled coupon payments on the converted notes (the “Coupon Make-Whole Premium”). The initial conversion rate is 1,111.1111 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $0.90 per share of common stock. The conversion rate and conversion price will be subject to customary adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, if certain corporate events that constitute a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) occur, then the conversion rate will, in certain circumstances, be increased for a specified period of time.

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described below), at the Company’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 15, 2025 and before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds 175% of the conversion price on each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date the Company sends the related redemption notice. However, the Company may not redeem less than all of the outstanding Notes unless at least $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time the Company sends the related redemption notice. The redemption price will be a cash amount equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If certain corporate events that constitute a “Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) occur prior to the maturity date, then, subject to a limited exception for certain cash mergers, noteholders may require the Company to repurchase their Notes at a cash repurchase price equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. The definition of Fundamental Change includes certain business combination transactions involving the Company and certain de-listing events with respect to the Company’s common stock.

The Notes will have customary provisions relating to the occurrence of “Events of Default” (as defined in the Indenture), which include the following: (i) certain payment defaults on the Notes (which, in the case of a default in the payment of interest on the Notes, will be subject to a 30-day cure period); (ii) the Company’s failure to send certain notices under the Indenture within specified periods of time; (iii) the Company’s failure to comply with certain covenants in the Indenture relating to the Company’s ability to consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of the assets of

 

2


the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person; (iv) a default by the Company in its other obligations or agreements under the Indenture or the Notes if such default is not cured or waived within 60 days after notice is given in accordance with the Indenture; (v) certain payment defaults or other defaults that result in the acceleration prior to stated maturity of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries of at least $30,000,000 are not cured, waived, rescinded or discharged, as applicable, within 30 days after notice is given in accordance with the Indenture; (vi) the rendering of certain judgments against the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries for the payment of at least $30,000,000 (excluding any amounts covered by insurance), where such judgments are not discharged or stayed within 60 days after date on which the right to appeal has expired or on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished; and (vii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization involving the Company or any of its significant subsidiaries.

If an Event of Default involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events with respect to the Company (and not solely with respect to a significant subsidiary of the Company) occurs, then the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest and Coupon Make-Whole Premium, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding will immediately become due and payable without any further action or notice by any person. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or noteholders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest and Coupon Make-Whole Premium, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding to become due and payable immediately. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may elect, at its option, that the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to certain failures by the Company to comply with certain reporting covenants in the Indenture consists exclusively of the right of the noteholders to receive during the continuance of such Event of Default special interest on the Notes for up to 180 days at a specified rate per annum of 0.25% for the first 90 days and 0.50% from the 91st day until the 180th day, in each case, on the principal amount of the Notes.

 

Item 2.03

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the issuance of the Notes is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events.

On December 7, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Notes Underwriting Agreement”) with BTIG, LLC, acting as representative of the Notes Underwriters agreeing, subject to customary conditions, to issue and sell the Notes to the Notes Underwriters. The net proceeds to the Company from the Notes offering will be approximately $169.5 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

Also on December 7, 2023, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Common Stock Underwriting Agreement”) with BTIG, LLC, acting as representative of the certain underwriters (the “Common Stock Underwriters”) agreeing, subject to customary conditions, to issue and sell 133,333,334 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price to the public of $0.75 per share, to the Common Stock Underwriters. The net proceeds to the Company from the common stock offering will be approximately $95.7 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

On December 12, 2023, the Company closed both offerings.

The offerings were made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264068), including the related prospectus, that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2022 and declared effective on April 14, 2022, each as supplemented by preliminary prospectus supplements dated December 6, 2023 related to such offering, a free writing prospectus dated December 7, 2023, and final prospectus supplements dated December 7, 2023 related to such offering.

 

3


The above description of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Notes Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes is a summary and is not complete. Copies of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Notes Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the form of the certificate representing the Notes are filed as exhibits 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the above summary in this Item 8.01 and Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are qualified by reference to the terms of the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement, the Notes Underwriting Agreement, the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and form of the certificate representing the Notes set forth in such exhibits.

On December 7, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the pricing of its concurrent common stock and Notes offerings. A copy of the pricing press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

    No.    

  

Description

  1.1    Underwriting Agreement by and between Nikola Corporation and BTIG, LLC, as representative of the underwriters named therein, relating to the issuance and sale of common stock, dated December 7, 2023.
  1.2    Underwriting Agreement by and between Nikola Corporation and BTIG, LLC, as representative of the underwriters named therein, relating to the issuance and sale of 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026, dated December 7, 2023.
  4.1    Indenture by and between Nikola Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, dated December 12, 2023.
  4.2    First Supplemental Indenture by and between Nikola Corporation and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, dated December 12, 2023.
  4.3    Form of certificate representing the 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2).
  5.1    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
  5.2    Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
23.1    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2    Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
99.1    Press release dated December 7, 2023.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

4


SIGNATURE

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.

 

    NIKOLA CORPORATION
Date: December 12, 2023     By:  

/s/ Britton M. Worthen

    Name:   Britton M. Worthen
    Title:   Chief Legal Officer

 

5


Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

Nikola Corporation

133,333,334 Shares of Common Stock

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

December 7, 2023

BTIG, LLC

As Representative of the several Underwriters

c/o BTIG, LLC

65 East 55th Street,

New York, NY 10022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. INTRODUCTORY. Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to the several underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the “Underwriters,” or, each, an “Underwriter”), 133,333,334 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company (the “Securities”). BTIG, LLC is acting as representative of the several Underwriters and in such capacity is herein referred to as the “Representative.” The transactions contemplated hereby are collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions.”

2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to the several Underwriters, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (as defined below), and agrees with the several Underwriters, that:

(a) The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264068), including a prospectus, relating to the securities registered thereunder (the “Shelf Securities”), including the Securities, to be issued from time to time by the Company. The registration statement as of its most recent effective date, including the information (if any) (but excluding Form T-1) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act,” and such rules and regulations thereunder being referred to as the “Rules and Regulations”), is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”, and the related prospectus covering the Shelf Securities and filed as part of the Registration Statement is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Prospectus,” and the Base Prospectus, together with any amendments or supplements thereto before the time of execution of this Agreement relating to the Securities (including any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities), is hereinafter referred to as a “Preliminary Prospectus”. “Prospectus” means the Base Prospectus together with the final prospectus supplement, relating to the Securities, to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof, in the form furnished by the Company

 

1


to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement”, “Base Prospectus”, “Preliminary Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein as of the date hereof. The terms “supplement”, “amendment” and “amend” as used herein with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and incorporated by reference therein. The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect.

(b) As of the Time of Sale (as defined below) and as of the Closing Date (as defined below), neither (i) the General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Time of Sale, the Pricing Prospectus (as defined below) and the information included on Schedule B hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), (ii) any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), nor (iii) any “bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations), when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information (as defined in Section 17). As used in this paragraph (b) and elsewhere in this Agreement:

Pricing Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus, as amended and supplemented with respect to the Securities as of immediately prior to the Time of Sale, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations relating to the Securities in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) of the Rules and Regulations.

General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, that is identified on Schedule C to this Agreement.

Limited Use Free Writing Prospectuses” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

Time of Sale” means 5:45 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement or such other time as agreed to in writing by the Company and the Representative.

 

2


(c) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus relating to the proposed offering of the Securities has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act has been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus, an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or a Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

(d) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became or become effective, at the date of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was or will be filed with the Commission and at the Closing Date, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing representations and warranties in this paragraph (d) shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through any Underwriter by or on behalf of the Representative specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in Section 4(e), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof, or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and none of such documents when filed contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when such documents are

 

3


filed with Commission will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(g) The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and other materials, if any, permitted under the Securities Act, and consistent with Section 4(b) below. The Company will file with the Commission all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations) in the time and manner required under Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations.

(h) The Company has not prepared or used, and will not prepare or use, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, except as permitted pursuant to Rule 164(e)(2).

(i) The Company is subject to, and is in compliance in all material respects with, the reporting requirements of Section 13 and Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Exchange Act. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is listed on the Exchange (as defined below), and the Company has taken no action designed to, or reasonably likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Stock from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

(j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. The Securities to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or similar rights and will conform to the description thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(k) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 15) have been duly organized and are validly existing as corporations or other legal entities in good standing (or the foreign equivalent thereof) under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as foreign corporations or other legal entities in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification and have all power and authority (corporate or other) necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to so qualify or have such power or authority would not (i) have, singularly or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets, business or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii) impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate any of the Transactions (any such effect as described in clauses (i) or (ii), a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

4


(l) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws, and conform to the description thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All of the Company’s options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws. There are no authorized or outstanding shares of capital stock, options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than those described above or accurately described in the General Disclosure Package. The description of the Company’s stock option plans and the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly present the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights.

(m) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock (if any) of each Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, except to the extent set forth in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are owned by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries, free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance, security interest, restriction upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.

(n) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement, including the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and the consummation of the Transactions does not and will not (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) contravene any provision of (i) applicable law, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (iii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary, except that in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and the consummation of the Transactions, and except for the registration of offer and sale of the Securities under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws and the listing of the Securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”), no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body, agency or court is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states, the FINRA or Exchange in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and the consummation of the Transactions. All approvals necessary for the Company to consummate the Transactions have been obtained and are in effect.

 

5


(o) The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and any Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes thereto, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates shown and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby except for any normal year-end adjustments in the Company’s quarterly financial statements. The pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma adjustments reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in the pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act, and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements. The other financial information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, or Romeo Power, Inc., and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.

(p) Ernst & Young LLP, who has audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and delivered its report with respect to certain audited consolidated financial statements and schedules filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”).

(q) The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(r) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (i) other than (a) proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Prospectus and (b) proceedings that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described in all material respects; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents to which the Company is subject or by which the Company is bound that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described in all material respects or filed as required.

 

6


(s) Except where the failure would not result in a material adverse effect on the Company, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations, licenses and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization, license or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(t) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities or the concurrent offering described in the General Disclosure Package and the application of the proceeds thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in each case as described in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

(u) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

(v) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries own or have a valid license to all patents, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and other intellectual property, including any and all registrations, applications for registration, and goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) currently employed by them in connection with the business as now operated, or as proposed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, to be operated, by them, except where the failure to own, possess, license, have the right to use any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case, which are material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property Rights; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of Intellectual Property Rights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (iv) all Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries is owned solely by the Company or its Subsidiaries and is owned free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, defects and other restrictions; (v) to the Company’s knowledge, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company, except to the extent that the infringement, misappropriation or violation, would not,

 

7


individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (vi) to the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights of a third party; (vii) all employees or contractors engaged in the development of Intellectual Property Rights on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company have executed an invention assignment agreement whereby such employees or contractors presently assign all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, and to the Company’s knowledge no such agreement has been breached or violated; and (viii) the Company and its Subsidiaries use, and have used, commercially reasonable efforts to appropriately maintain all information intended to be maintained as a trade secret.

(w) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, respectively.

(x) No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(y) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(z) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

8


(aa) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) and have paid all taxes required to be paid (except for cases in which the failure to pay would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, except as are currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, has had (nor does the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its Subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have) a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(bb) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as in the Company’s reasonable judgment are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(cc) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is accurate, in each case in all material respects. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(dd) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company maintains an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that

 

9


such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company has carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, and except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter.

(ee) None of the proceeds of the sale of the Securities will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin securities” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Securities to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meanings of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

(ff) Except as otherwise have been validly waived or complied with in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby and as described in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

(gg) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short term debt or long term debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(hh) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are in effect.

(ii) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, or any director or officer thereof, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee, agent or representative of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment, giving or receipt of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) (“Government Official”) in order to influence official action, or to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws; (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and affiliates

 

10


have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws.

(jj) The statistical and market related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data are consistent with the sources from which they are derived.

(kk) The operations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and each of its Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(ll) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently (a) subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or (b) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, or so-called Luhansk People’s Republic or any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065, and the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria). The Company represents and covenants that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person (a) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or (b) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any person (including any person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). The Company represents and covenants that, except as detailed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, for the past five years, it has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions. The Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or

 

11


otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC. For purposes of this section, no person shall be an affiliate of the Company solely by reason of owning less than a majority of any class of voting securities of the Company.

(mm) (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries use and have used any and all software and other materials distributed under a “free,” “open source,” or similar licensing model (including but not limited to the MIT License, Apache License, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU Affero General Public License) (“Open Source Software”) in compliance with all material license terms applicable to such Open Source Software; and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries uses or distributes or has used or distributed any Open Source Software in any manner that requires or has required (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to permit reverse engineering of any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be (1) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (2) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works or (3) redistributed at no charge.

(nn) Except as would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (i) the Company and each of its subsidiaries have complied and are presently in compliance with all internal and external privacy policies, contractual obligations, applicable laws, statutes, judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or other governmental or regulatory authority and any other legal obligations, in each case, relating to the collection, use, transfer, import, export, storage, protection, disposal and disclosure by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of personal, personally identifiable, household, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Data Security Obligations”, and such data, “Data”); (ii) the Company has not received any notification of or complaint regarding non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation; and (iii) of there is no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.

(oo) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, the “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the IT Systems and Data used in connection with the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries have used reasonable efforts to establish and maintain, and have established, maintained, implemented and complied with, reasonable information technology, information security, cyber security and data protection controls, policies and procedures, including oversight, access controls, encryption, technological and physical safeguards and business continuity/disaster recovery and security plans that are designed to protect against and prevent breach, destruction, loss, unauthorized distribution, use, access, disablement, misappropriation or modification, or other compromise or misuse of or relating to any IT System or Data used in connection with the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses (“Breach”). To the Company’s knowledge, there has been no such material Breach, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have not been notified of and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any such material Breach.

 

12


(pp) The Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are not as of the date hereof, and immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date, will not be Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this section, “Insolvent” means, with respect to any person, (i) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such person and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, is less than the amount required to the total Indebtedness of such person and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, (ii) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are unable to pay their consolidated debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, (iii) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature or (iv) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted.

(qq) The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

3. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF OFFERED SECURITIES. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective number of Securities set forth opposite the names of the respective Underwriters in Schedule A. The purchase price per share to be paid by the Underwriters to the Company for the Securities will be $0.72 per share (the “Purchase Price”). The Representative hereby advises the Company that the Representative intends to offer for sale to the public, initially on the terms set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, the Securities as soon after this Agreement has been executed and the Representative has determined is advisable and practicable.

The Company will deliver the Securities to the Representative for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), issued in such names and in such denominations as the Representative may request against payment by the Underwriters of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds to such bank account or accounts as the Company shall designate to the Representative at least two business days prior to the Closing Date, with any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the sale and delivery of certificates or security entitlements for the Securities duly paid by the Company. The time and date of the delivery and closing shall be at 10:00 a.m., New York time, on December 12, 2023. The date and time for delivery of and payment for the Securities is herein called the “Closing Date.” The Closing Date and the location of delivery of, and the form of payment for, the Securities may be varied by agreement between the Company and the Representative.

 

13


Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of the Representative hereunder.

The several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

4. FURTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees with the several Underwriters:

(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the second business (2nd) day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations; to notify the Representative immediately of the Company’s intention to file or prepare any supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus and to make no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or to the Prospectus to which the Representative shall reasonably object by notice to the Company after a reasonable period to review; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to any Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Underwriters with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, and promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order.

(b) The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, and each of the Underwriters represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (each, a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”); provided that the prior written consent of the Representative hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule B and Schedule C hereto. The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing

 

14


Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Rules and Regulations applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including the requirements relating to timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping and will not take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that such Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(c) If at any time prior to the date when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made when the Prospectus is delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations), not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement any Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, that the Company will promptly notify the Representative thereof and upon its request will prepare an appropriate amendment or supplement or upon its request make an appropriate filing pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance and will use its best efforts to have any amendment to any Registration Statement declared effective as soon as possible. The Company will furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of such amendment or supplement. In case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) relating to the Securities, the Company upon the request of the Representative will prepare promptly an amended or supplemented Prospectus as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as such Underwriter may reasonably request of such amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

(d) If the General Disclosure Package is being used to solicit offers to buy the Securities at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of the Underwriters, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or to make the statements therein not conflict with the information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement then on file and not superseded or modified, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package to comply with any law, the Company promptly will either (i) prepare, file with the Commission (if required) and furnish to the Underwriters and any dealers an appropriate amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or (ii) prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate filing under the Exchange Act which shall be incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package so that the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or conflict with the Registration Statement then on file, or so that the General Disclosure Package will comply with law.

 

15


(e) If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof and not superseded or modified or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representative so that any use of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus may cease until it is amended or supplemented and has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

(f) To the extent not available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”), to furnish promptly to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith.

(g) To deliver promptly to the Representative in New York City such number of the following documents as the Representative shall reasonably request: (i) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission (in each case excluding exhibits), (ii) each Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (iv) the Prospectus (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement), (v) conformed copies of any amendment to the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits), (vi) any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus after the date hereof (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the date of such amendment or supplement) and (vii) any document incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (excluding exhibits thereto) (the delivery of the documents referred to in clause (vi) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the date of such document).

(h) To make generally available to its stockholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 16 months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) of the Rules and Regulations), an earnings statement of the Company and its Subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).

 

16


(i) To take promptly from time to time such actions as the Representative may reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate and to continue such qualifications in effect, and to comply with such laws, for so long as required to permit the offer and sale of Securities in such jurisdictions; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to qualify as foreign corporations in any jurisdiction in which they are not so qualified or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction.

(j) Upon request, during the period of two years from the date hereof, to deliver to each of the Underwriters, (i) as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications furnished to stockholders generally, and (ii) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. However, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports with the Commission on EDGAR, it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

(k) During the period commencing on and including the date hereof and ending on and including the 30th day following the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”) the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Representative), directly or indirectly offer, sell (including, without limitation, any short sale), assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any Common Stock, options, rights or warrants to acquire Common Stock or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Company may (i) issue and sell the Securities hereunder, (ii) issue convertible notes (including any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) pursuant to an underwriting agreement being entered into by the Company and BTIG, LLC on behalf of the several underwriters named therein on the date hereof (the “Convertible Notes Underwriting Agreement”), (iii) issue restricted Common Stock or options to acquire Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans as such plans are in existence on the date hereof and described in the Prospectus, (iv) issue Common Stock upon conversion of the PIK Toggle Notes (as defined in the Prospectus) in accordance with the terms thereof and the indentures governing the PIK Toggle Notes and (v) issue Common Stock pursuant to the valid exercises, vesting or settlements of options, warrants or rights outstanding on the date hereof. The Company will cause each officer and director listed in Schedule D to furnish to the Representative prior to the Closing Date, a letter, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto. The Company also agrees that during the Lock-Up Period, other than for the sale of the Securities hereunder, the Company will not file any registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, under the Securities Act for any such transaction or which registers, or offers for sale, Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, except for (A) a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to employee benefit plans and (B) one or more registration statements, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto relating to the transaction referenced in clause (ii) of this paragraph (k).

 

17


(l) To supply the Representative with copies of all correspondence to and from, and all documents issued to and by, the Commission in connection with the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act or the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein.

(m) To comply with the provisions of Regulation M under the Exchange Act and to cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Regulation M under the Exchange Act) to do the same.

(n) To use its reasonable efforts not to take any action prior to latest of the Closing Dates which would require the Prospectus to be amended or supplemented pursuant to Section 4(c).

(o) To at all times comply with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in effect from time to time.

(p) To maintain, at its expense, a transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock.

(q) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds,” and except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, the Company does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter. The Company shall manage its affairs and investments in such a manner as not to be or become an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(r) To use its reasonable best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, and to maintain the listing of the Securities on the Exchange.

(s) To use its reasonable best efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under this Agreement by the Company prior to the Closing Date and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Securities.

(t) Upon request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company’s trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line offering of the Securities (the “License”); provided, however that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, is granted without any fee and may not be assigned or transferred.

(u) The Company shall prepare a final term sheet or sheets, as the case may be (in either such case, the “Final Term Sheet”) reflecting the final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, in the form of Schedule B hereto (and containing such other information as the Company and the Representative may agree), and file such Final Term Sheet as an “issuer free writing prospectus” pursuant to Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations prior to the close of business two business days after the date hereof; provided that the Company shall furnish the Representative with copies of such Final Term Sheet a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing and will not use or file any such document to which the Representative or counsel to the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

 

18


5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay, or reimburse if paid by any Underwriter, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated: (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act; (c) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and distribution of the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein; (d) the fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred in connection with the securing any required review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities and any filings made with FINRA; (e) any applicable listing or other fees; (f) the fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters) of qualifying the Securities under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 4(i) and of preparing, printing and distributing wrappers, Blue Sky Memoranda and Legal Investment Surveys; (g) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock; (h) the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with the legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in Section 2(d); (i) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the officers of the Company and such consultants, including the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; (j) the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters by the Underwriters; and (k) all other costs and expenses incident to the offering of the Securities or the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s independent accountants; provided that, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 5 and in Section 9, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the fees and expenses of their counsel, and any transfer taxes on the resale of any Securities by the Underwriters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (1) the expenses covered in clauses (d) and (f) of this this Section 5 shall not exceed a combined $35,000 in the aggregate, and (2) the expenses covered in clause (j) of this this Section 5 shall not exceed $150,000 in the aggregate, and, in each case of clause (1) and (2), shall, without duplication, be inclusive of any such fees payable pursuant to the same provisions in the Convertible Notes Underwriting Agreement.

6. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS OBLIGATIONS. The respective obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and as of the Time of Sale and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

 

19


(a) The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, preventing or suspending the use of any Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission, and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by, and in compliance with, the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 4(a); and FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) None of the Underwriters shall have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state any fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material or omits to state any fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

(c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of each of this Agreement, the Securities, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(d) Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP shall have furnished to the Representative such counsel’s written opinion, as special counsel to the Company, addressed to the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

(e) The Representative shall have received from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the Underwriters may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

20


(f) At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, addressed to the Underwriters, executed and dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative (i) confirming that they are an independent registered accounting firm with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and rules and regulations of the PCAOB and (ii) stating the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(g) On the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and on the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a letter (the “bring-down letter”) from Ernst & Young LLP addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date confirming, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of a date not more than three business days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by its letter delivered to the Representative concurrently with the execution of this Agreement pursuant to paragraph (j) of this Section 6.

(h) The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary stating that (i) such officers have examined the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and, in their opinion, the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, at the Time of Sale, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the General Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale and as of the Closing Date, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as of its date and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective date thereof and as of the Closing Date, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, (ii) subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that has not been so set forth therein, (iii) to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would involve a material adverse change or a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

21


(i) At the time of the execution of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate of its Chief Executive Officer, covering the financial statements of Romeo Power, Inc., in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(j) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package as of the date hereof, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, and (ii) other than as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than stock option and warrant exercises and stock repurchases in the ordinary course of business and repayments of existing indebtedness), or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (j), is, in the judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package.

(k) No action shall have been taken and no law, statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or could be reasonably expected to materially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company.

(l) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the Exchange or the NYSE American LLC or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices or maximum range for prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or market or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or state authorities or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, or the subject of an act of terrorism, or there shall have been an outbreak of or escalation in hostilities involving the United States, or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic,

 

22


political or financial conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such), in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, so as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(m) An application for the listing of the Securities shall have been submitted to the Exchange, and the Exchange shall have not raised any objections to it.

(n) The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its Subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

(o) The Representative shall have received the written agreements, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, of the officers and directors of the Company listed in Schedule D to this Agreement.

(p) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

(a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless: each Underwriter, its affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, managers, members, employees, representatives and agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) (“Marketing Materials”) or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d)

 

23


of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any Marketing Materials, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter Indemnified Party promptly upon demand for any legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, or preparing to defend, or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in, or omission or alleged omission from any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Marketing Materials made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

The indemnity agreement in this Section 7(a) is not exclusive and is in addition to each other liability which the Company might have under this Agreement or otherwise, and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to any Underwriter Indemnified Party.

(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, its officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Company Indemnified Parties” and each a “Company Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Company Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or any Marketing Materials or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any Marketing Materials, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they are made not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information, and shall reimburse the Company Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending against or

 

24


appearing as third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred. This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any liability which the Underwriters might otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to the Company Indemnified Parties.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 7 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure; and, provided, further, that the failure to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7. If any such action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party (which counsel shall not, except with the written consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party). After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such action, except as provided herein, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense of such action but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of investigation) shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized in writing by the Company in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(a) or the Representative in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(b), (ii) such indemnified party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such action and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable period of time after notice of the commencement of the action or the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, in which case, if such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of (or, in the case of a failure to diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, to continue to defend) such action on behalf of such indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall be responsible for legal or other expenses subsequently and reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties (in addition to any local counsel), which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by the Company if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Company Indemnified

 

25


Parties. Subject to this Section 7(c), the amount payable by an indemnifying party under Section 7 shall include, but not be limited to, (x) reasonable legal fees and expenses of counsel to the indemnified party and any other expenses in investigating, or preparing to defend or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any action, investigation, proceeding or claim, and (y) all amounts paid in settlement of any of the foregoing. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever, in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, no indemnifying party shall be liable for settlement of any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever that is effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with its written consent, if its consent has been unreasonably withheld or delayed or if there be a judgment for the plaintiff in any such matter, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. In addition, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested that an indemnifying party reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 7(a) or 7(b) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the request for reimbursement, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 7(a) or 7(b), then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid, payable or otherwise incurred by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), as incurred, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this Section 7(d) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) of this Section 7(d) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to the statements, omissions, acts or failures to act which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the Securities purchased under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page

 

26


of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or failure to act; provided that the parties hereto agree that the written information furnished to the Company by the Representative by or on behalf of the Underwriters for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, consists solely of the Underwriters’ Information.

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to Section 7(d) above were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7(d) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to in Section 7(d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission, act or alleged act or failure to act or alleged failure to act. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligation to contribute as provided in this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

8. TERMINATION. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Representative, in its absolute discretion by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 6(k) or 6(l) have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

9. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS EXPENSES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 8 or 10, (b) the Company shall fail to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters for any reason not permitted under this Agreement, (c) the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement or (d) the sale of the Securities is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth herein is not satisfied or because of the refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to satisfy any condition or to comply with the provisions hereof, then in addition to the payment of amounts in accordance with Section 5, the Company shall, pro rata based on the number of Securities it agreed to sell hereunder, reimburse the Underwriters for reasonable and

 

27


accountable fees and expenses of Underwriters’ counsel and for such other out-of-pocket expenses as shall have been actually incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Securities, including, without limitation, travel and lodging expenses of the Underwriters, and upon demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representative; provided that if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of expenses to the extent incurred by such defaulting Underwriter, provided further that the foregoing shall not limit any reimbursement obligation of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter under this Section 9.

10. SUBSTITUTION OF UNDERWRITERS. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase Securities hereunder on the Closing Date and the number of Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters on the Closing Date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on the Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall so default and the number of Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur is more than 10% of the total aggregate number of Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters on the Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate.

If the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters are required hereby or agree to take up all or part of the shares of Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters on the Closing Date as provided in this Section 10, (i) the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period of not more than five full business days in order that the Company may effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees promptly to file any amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the respective number of Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting obligation for all purposes of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability to the Company or the other Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default hereunder. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except that the representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, agreements and other statements set forth in Section 2, the obligations with respect to expenses to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to Sections 5 and 9 and the provisions of Section 7 and Sections 11 through 24, inclusive, shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

28


11. ABSENCE OF FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature, the Representative has been retained solely to act as underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Representative has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Representative has advised or is advising the Company on other matters;

(b) the price of the Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representative and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) it has been advised that the Representative and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Representative has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

(d) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Representative for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Representative shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company.

12. SUCCESSORS; PERSONS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the several Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, and the indemnities of the several Underwriters shall be for the benefit of the Company Indemnified Parties. It is understood that each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and the Underwriters do not owe the Company, or any other party, any fiduciary duty as a result of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

13. SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES, REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, ETC. The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by them respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any person controlling any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, including without limitation any termination pursuant to Section 8 or Section 10, the indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements forth in Sections 2, 5, 7 and 9 and Sections 11 through 24, inclusive, of this Agreement shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect at all times.

 

29


14. NOTICES. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:

(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to BTIG, LLC, 65 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Mike Passaro, mpassaro@btig.com; with a copy to: BTIG, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: General Counsel, IBLegal@BTIG.com; and

(b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to Nikola Corporation, 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer, email:                 ; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 shall be delivered or sent by mail, or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the several Underwriters, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the several Underwriters upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

15. DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “business day” means any day on which the Exchange is open for trading and (b) “Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations but in no event shall “Subsidiary” include the Foreign Subsidiaries.

16. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations. The Company irrevocably (a) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined by any such court, (c) waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any immunity from the jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process, (d) agrees not to commence any such suit, action or proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum.

17. UNDERWRITERS INFORMATION. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes of this Agreement, the “Underwriters Information” consists solely of the following information in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting–Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the second, third and fourth paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting–Price Stabilization, Short Positions” and the information under the heading “Underwriting–Electronic Distribution,” in each case contained in the Pricing Prospectus.

 

30


18. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph, clause or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

19. GENERAL. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another. The section headings in this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived, only by a writing signed by the Company and the Representative.

20. AUTHORITY OF THE REPRESENTATIVE. In connection with this Agreement, you will act for and on behalf of the several Underwriters, and any action taken under this Agreement by the Representative, will be binding on all of the Underwriters.

21. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

22. RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIMES.

(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

For purposes of this Section 22, a “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

31


23. TRIAL BY JURY. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

24. TIME. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORT HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any instruments, agreements, certificates, legal opinions, negative assurance letters or other documents entered into or delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign, AdobeSign, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

32


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of the agreement between the Company and the several Underwriters, kindly indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

 

Very truly yours,
Nikola Corporation
By:  

/s/ Stephen J. Girsky

  Name: Stephen J. Girsky
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock)]


Acceptance of the date first above written:

BTIG, LLC

Acting on its own behalf

and as Representative of the several

Underwriters referred to in the

foregoing Agreement.

 

BTIG, LLC
By:  

/s/ Michael Passaro

  Name: Michael Passaro
  Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock)]


SCHEDULE A

 

Name

   Number of Securities  

BTIG, LLC

     106,609,784  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

     8,907,850  

Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited

     8,907,850  

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

     8,462,458  

WR Securities, LLC

     445,392  
  

 

 

 

Total

     133,333,334  


SCHEDULE B

Pricing Term Sheet

[Attached]


Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration Statement File No. 333-264068

Relating to the

Preliminary Prospectus Supplements

Dated December 6, 2023

(To Prospectus Dated April 14, 2022)

PRICING TERM SHEET

December 7, 2023

Nikola Corporation

Offerings of

133,333,334 Shares of Common Stock

and

$175,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

The information in this pricing term sheet supplements Nikola Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 6, 2023 (the “Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), relating to an offering of common stock (the “Common Stock Offering”), and Nikola Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 6, 2023 (the “Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement,” and, together with the Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplements”), relating to an offering of green convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Note Offering”), and supersedes the information in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent inconsistent with the information in that Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Terms used, but not defined, in this pricing term sheet have the respective meanings set forth in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. As used in this pricing term sheet, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Nikola Corporation and not to its subsidiaries.

Common Stock Offering

 

Issuer    Nikola Corporation.
Securities Offered    133,333,334 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Nikola Corporation (the “Common Stock”).
Ticker / Exchange for Common Stock    NKLA / Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”).

Last Reported Sale Price per Share of Common Stock on Nasdaq on

December 7, 2023

   $0.7526.

 

- 1 -


Public Offering Price per Share of Common Stock    $0.75.
Underwriting Discount    $0.03 per share of Common Stock, and $4,000,000.02 in the aggregate.
Trade Date    December 8, 2023.
Settlement Date    December 12, 2023.
Use of Proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the Common Stock Offering will be approximately $95.7 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” in the Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Book-Running Managers    BTIG, LLC
   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
   Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited
   Nomura Securities International, Inc.
   WR Securities, LLC
CUSIP / ISIN Numbers for the Common Stock    654110 105 / US6541101050.
   Convertible Note Offering
Issuer    Nikola Corporation.
Ticker / Exchange for Common Stock    NKLA / Nasdaq.
Trade Date    December 8, 2023.
Settlement Date    December 12, 2023.
Notes    8.25% green convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).
Principal Amount    $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes.
Public Offering Price    100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Settlement Date.
Underwriting Discount    3.00% of the principal amount of the Notes, and $5,250,000 in the aggregate, in each case plus accrued interest, if any, from the Settlement Date.

 

- 2 -


Maturity    December 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.
Stated Interest Rate    8.25% per annum.
Interest Payment Dates    June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2024.
Record Dates    June 1 and December 1.

Last Reported Sale Price per Share of Common Stock on Nasdaq on

December 7, 2023

   $0.7526.
Conversion Premium    Approximately 20% above the Public Offering Price per Share of Common Stock in the Common Stock Offering.
Initial Conversion Price    Approximately $0.90 per share of our Common Stock.
Initial Conversion Rate    1,111.1111 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.
Optional Redemption    The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described below), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 15, 2025 and before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our Common Stock exceeds 175% of the conversion price on each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice. However, we may not redeem less than all of the outstanding Notes unless at least $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time we send the related redemption notice. See “Description of NotesOptional Redemption” in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

- 3 -


Use of Proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the Convertible Note Offering will be approximately $169.5 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Note Offering to finance, refinance or make direct investments in, in whole or in part, one or more new or recently completed (within the 24 months prior to the Settlement Date), current and/or future Eligible Green Projects in alignment with the guidelines of the Green Bond Principles, 2021 (with June 2022 Appendix I). Pending full allocation of an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Note Offering to Eligible Green Projects, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in cash or other short-term and liquid instruments, and we will not knowingly invest in operations that result in an overall net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. See “Use of Proceeds” in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration    We and each beneficial owner of the Notes will agree in the indenture to treat the Notes, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as “contingent payment debt instruments” and to be bound by our application of the contingent payment debt regulations to the Notes, including our determination of the comparable yield of the Notes and the related projected payment schedule. Under this characterization, U.S. holders will generally be required to accrue and include in income (as ordinary income) original issue discount (subject to certain adjustments) on a constant-yield basis, based on the rate at which we would issue a noncontingent, nonconvertible debt instrument with terms and conditions otherwise comparable to the terms of the Notes, regardless of the U.S. holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We have determined that this rate is 14.33% per annum, compounded semi-annually. The amount of interest required to be included in income for each year will therefore generally exceed the interest payments on the Notes in that year. In addition, U.S. holders will recognize ordinary income, rather than capital gain, on the sale, conversion, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Note at a gain. The amount realized by a U.S. holder on a conversion will equal the amount of cash plus the fair market value of Common Stock received.
Book-Running Managers    BTIG, LLC
   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
   Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited
   Nomura Securities International, Inc.
   WR Securities, LLC

 

- 4 -


CUSIP / ISIN Numbers    654110 AG0 / US654110AG03.
Increase to Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change    If a make-whole fundamental change occurs and the conversion date for the conversion of a Note occurs during the related make-whole fundamental change conversion period, then, subject to the provisions described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” the conversion rate applicable to such conversion will be increased by a number of shares set forth in the table below corresponding (after interpolation, as described below) to the effective date and the stock price of such make-whole fundamental change:

 

     Stock Price  

Effective Date

   $ 0.750      $ 0.875      $ 0.900      $ 1.050      $ 1.150      $ 1.250      $ 1.575      $ 1.750      $ 2.000      $ 2.250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 12, 2023

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        50.4667        24.5130        16.9640        9.0286        4.1343        0.1250        0.0000  

December 15, 2024

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        44.8095        24.5130        14.1400        4.5460        2.0814        0.0625        0.0000  

December 15, 2025

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        31.6190        24.5130        11.3160        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

December 15, 2026

     222.2222        31.7486        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

If such effective date or stock price is not set forth in the table above, then:

 

   

if such stock price is between two stock prices in the table above or the effective date is between two dates in the table above, then the number of additional shares will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices in the table above or the earlier and later dates in the table above, based on a 365- or 366-day year, as applicable; and

 

   

if the stock price is (x) greater than $2.25 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above are adjusted, as described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change—Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares”); or (y) less than $0.75 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner), then no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will the conversion rate be increased to an amount that exceeds 1,333.3333 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which amount is subject to adjustment in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to the provisions described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally.”

*  *  *

 

- 5 -


We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplements with the SEC for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and these offerings. You may get these documents free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the applicable offering will arrange to send you the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (or, when available, the applicable final prospectus supplement) and the accompanying prospectus upon request to: BTIG, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Attention: Syndicate Department (415-248-2200) or by email at prospectusdelivery@btig.com.

The information in this pricing term sheet is not a complete description of the Common Stock, the Common Stock Offering, the Notes or the Convertible Note Offering. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as supplemented by this pricing term sheet, in making an investment decision with respect to the Common Stock or the Notes.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

- 6 -


SCHEDULE C

None.


SCHEDULE D

1. Stephen J. Girsky

2. Steven M. Shindler

3. Michael L. Mansuetti

4. Mary L. Petrovich

5. Bruce L. Smith

6. John C. Vesco

7. Andrew M. Vesey

8. Joseph S. Cappello

9. Mary S. Chan

10. Joseph R. Pike

11. Britton M. Worthen


Exhibit I

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

[    ], 2023

BTIG, LLC

65 East 55th Street

New York, NY 10022

 

RE:

Nikola Corporation (the “Company”)

Ladies & Gentlemen:

This agreement is being delivered to you in connection with (i) the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Equity Underwriting Agreement”) between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”), as representative of the several underwriters named therein (in such capacity, the “Representative”), relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of shares (the “Shares”) of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Notes Underwriting Agreement” and, together with the Equity Underwriting Agreement, the “Underwriting Agreements” and each, an “Underwriting Agreement”) between the Company and the Representative, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of its Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes” and, together with the Shares, the “Securities”).

In order to induce you to enter into the Underwriting Agreements, and in light of the benefits that the offering of Securities will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer, director or employee of the Company, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with the Representative that, during the period beginning on and including the date of the Underwriting Agreements through and including the date that is the 30th day after the date of such Underwriting Agreements (or if the Underwriting Agreements have different dates, from the date of the earlier executed Underwriting Agreement for 30 days after the latest date set forth on any such Underwriting Agreement, or if only one of the proposed offerings occurs, then 30 days after the latest date set forth on any such Underwriting Agreement) (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable in Common Stock, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or similar


agreement or arrangement that transfers in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable in Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or (iii) engage in any short selling of Common Stock.

The restrictions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to:

 

  1.

if the undersigned is a natural person, any transfers made by the undersigned (a) as a bona fide gift to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family, (b) by will or intestate succession upon the death of the undersigned or (c) as a bona fide gift to a charity, non-profit organization or educational institution;

 

  2.

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers to any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value;

 

  3.

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer made by the undersigned (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this agreement or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate (as defined below) of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value;

 

  4.

the transfer or sale of any shares of Common Stock or other securities pursuant to any contract, instruction or plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that has been entered into by the undersigned (or a member of the undersigned’s immediate family) prior to the commencement of the Lock-Up Period;

 

  5.

transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offerings, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions during the Lock-Up Period;

 

  6.

transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock in a transaction not involving a disposition for value that occurs by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order in connection with a divorce settlement;


  7.

transfers or dispositions of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock made by the undersigned to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or arrangements and the Founder Stock Option Plan (as defined in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K), provided that no public announcement or filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or any other public filing or disclosure shall be made by the undersigned during the Lock-Up Period, unless such filing is required and indicates in the footnotes thereto that the transfer or disposition is made to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or arrangements and the Founder Stock Option Plan disclosed in the Prospectus; and

 

  8.

the transfer of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock in connection with a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other transaction approved by the board of directors of the Company involving a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Common Stock owned by the undersigned shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this letter agreement. For the purposes of this clause, “Change in Control” means the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons (other than the underwriters pursuant to the offerings) of the Company’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of outstanding voting securities of the Company (or surviving entity) or would otherwise have the power to control the board of directors of the Company or to direct the operations of the Company;

provided, however, that in the case of any transfer described in clause (1)(a), 1(b), (2), (3) or (6) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that (A) the transferee executes and delivers to the Representative, not later than one business day prior to such transfer, a written agreement, in substantially the form of this agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the undersigned and not to the immediate family of the transferee) and otherwise satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative, and (B) if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (1) above, such transfer is being made as a gift or by will or intestate succession or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (2) above, such transfer is being made to a shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned and is not a transfer for value or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (3) above, such transfer is being made either (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that is an affiliate of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (6) above, the transfer is pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement.


Notwithstanding the restrictions described herein, the undersigned may at any time after the date hereof (A) exercise any options or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (including any cashless exercise to the extent permitted by the instruments representing such options or warrants); provided that in any such case the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise shall remain subject to the provisions of this agreement and, if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above) in connection with such exercise, the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that such disposition was pursuant to cashless exercise of an option or warrant, as applicable, or (B) enter into a trading plan (a “New Plan”) or modify an existing plan (a “Modified Plan”) meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, relating to the sale of shares of Common Stock or other securities, if then permitted by the Company and applicable law; provided, that the shares of Common Stock or other securities subject to a New Plan shall not be sold during the Lock-Up Period if such sale is otherwise prohibited by this agreement and shares of Common Stock or other securities subject to a Modified Plan may only be sold if they were not affected by the modifications of the existing plan. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild or other lineal descendant (including by adoption), father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

The undersigned further agrees that (i) it will not, during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), make any demand or request for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the Securities Act, of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, and (ii) the Company may, with respect to any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above). In addition, the undersigned hereby waives, from the date hereof until the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and any extension of such period pursuant to the terms hereof, any and all rights, if any, to request or demand registration pursuant to the Securities Act, of any shares of Common Stock that are registered in the name of the undersigned.

It is understood that, if (i) the Company notifies the Representative in writing that it does not intend to proceed with either of the offerings of Securities contemplated by the Underwriting Agreements; (ii) neither of the Underwriting Agreements relating to the offerings of Securities is executed on or before December 31, 2023; or (iii) the Underwriting Agreements (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated for any reason prior to payment for and delivery of the Securities to be sold thereunder, this agreement shall immediately terminate and the undersigned shall automatically be released from all of his, her or its obligations under this agreement.


The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and that this agreement has been duly authorized (if the undersigned is not a natural person), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned. This agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the offerings of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that, although the Representative may be required or choose to provide certain Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS disclosures to you in connection with the offerings, the Representative and the other underwriters are not making a recommendation to you to enter into this agreement, and nothing set forth in such disclosures is intended to suggest that the Representative or any underwriter is making such a recommendation.

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any offering of Securities actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.

[signature page follows]


Very truly yours,

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit 1.2

Execution Version

Nikola Corporation

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

December 7, 2023

BTIG, LLC

As Representative of the several Underwriters

c/o BTIG, LLC

65 East 55th Street,

New York, NY 10022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. INTRODUCTORY. Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to sell, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, to the several underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the “Underwriters,” or, each, an “Underwriter”), $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Securities”). The Securities will be convertible into duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), including any such shares issuable upon conversion in connection with a “make-whole fundamental change” (as defined in the Prospectus (as defined below) (such shares, the “Conversion Shares”) and a cash amount equal to the “coupon make-whole premium” (as defined in the Prospectus), on the terms, and subject to the conditions, set forth in the Indenture (as defined below). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (as defined below) (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture to such Base Indenture between the Company and the Trustee (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”). BTIG, LLC is acting as representative of the several Underwriters and in such capacity is herein referred to as the “Representative.” This Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents,” and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions.”


2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to the several Underwriters, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (as defined below), and agrees with the several Underwriters, that:

(a) The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264068), including a prospectus, relating to the securities registered thereunder (the “Shelf Securities”), including the Securities, to be issued from time to time by the Company. The registration statement as of its most recent effective date, including the information (if any) (but excluding Form T-1) deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act,” and such rules and regulations thereunder being referred to as the “Rules and Regulations”), is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”, and the related prospectus covering the Shelf Securities and filed as part of the Registration Statement is hereinafter referred to as the “Base Prospectus,” and the Base Prospectus, together with any amendments or supplements thereto before the time of execution of this Agreement relating to the Securities (including any preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities), is hereinafter referred to as a “Preliminary Prospectus”. “Prospectus” means the Base Prospectus together with the final prospectus supplement, relating to the Securities, to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act on or before the second business day after the date hereof, in the form furnished by the Company to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities. As used herein, the terms “Registration Statement”, “Base Prospectus”, “Preliminary Prospectus” and “Prospectus” shall include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein as of the date hereof. The terms “supplement”, “amendment” and “amend” as used herein with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and incorporated by reference therein. The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect.

(b) As of the Time of Sale (as defined below) and as of the Closing Date (as defined below), neither (i) the General Use Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below) issued at or prior to the Time of Sale, the Pricing Prospectus (as defined below) and the information included on Schedule B hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “General Disclosure Package”), (ii) any individual Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below), nor (iii) any “bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations), when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information (as defined in Section 17). As used in this paragraph (b) and elsewhere in this Agreement:

Pricing Prospectus” means the Preliminary Prospectus, as amended and supplemented with respect to the Securities as of immediately prior to the Time of Sale, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof.

 

2


Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations relating to the Securities in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) of the Rules and Regulations.

General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, that is identified on Schedule C to this Agreement.

Limited Use Free Writing Prospectuses” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

Time of Sale” means 5:45 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement or such other time as agreed to in writing by the Company and the Representative.

(c) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus relating to the proposed offering of the Securities has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act has been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to information contained in or omitted from any Preliminary Prospectus, an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or a Prospectus, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

(d) At the respective times the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became or become effective, at the date of this Agreement and at the Closing Date, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Trust Indenture Act”) and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, at the time the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was or will be filed with the Commission and at the Closing Date, conformed and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the foregoing representations and warranties in this paragraph (d) shall not apply to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through any Underwriter by or on behalf of the Representative specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

 

3


(e) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in Section 4(e), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof, or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and none of such documents when filed contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when such documents are filed with Commission will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(g) The Company has not, directly or indirectly, distributed and will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and other materials, if any, permitted under the Securities Act, and consistent with Section 4(b) below. The Company will file with the Commission all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than a “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) of the Rules and Regulations) in the time and manner required under Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations.

(h) The Company has not prepared or used, and will not prepare or use, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise, except as permitted pursuant to Rule 164(e)(2).

(i) The Company is subject to, and is in compliance in all material respects with, the reporting requirements of Section 13 and Section 15(d), as applicable, of the Exchange Act. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is listed on the Exchange (as defined below), and the Company has taken no action designed to, or reasonably likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Stock from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

 

4


(j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the enforcement thereof may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (whether applied by a court of law or equity) and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”). When executed and delivered, this Agreement and the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Prospectus and in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Indenture is qualified under, and will conform in all material respects to the requirements of, the Trust Indenture Act.

(k) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 15) have been duly organized and are validly existing as corporations or other legal entities in good standing (or the foreign equivalent thereof) under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as foreign corporations or other legal entities in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification and have all power and authority (corporate or other) necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to so qualify or have such power or authority would not (i) have, singularly or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets, business or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii) impair in any material respect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents or to consummate any of the Transactions (any such effect as described in clauses (i) or (ii), a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(l) The Securities have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefit of the Indenture, and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. When executed and delivered, the Securities will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and will be in the form contemplated by the Indenture.

(m) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, have been issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws, and conform to the description thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All of the Company’s options, warrants and other rights to purchase or exchange any securities for shares of the Company’s capital stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and were issued in compliance with federal and state securities laws. The maximum number of Conversion Shares initially issuable upon conversion of the Securities (assuming, for these purposes, that (x) all the Securities are converted by a single holder thereof and (y) such conversion is settled solely by the delivery of shares of Common Stock at the Initial

 

5


Maximum Conversion Rate (as defined below)) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such conversion by all necessary corporate action and such shares, when issued upon such conversion in accordance with the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of any preemptive or other similar rights. None of the outstanding shares of Common Stock was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities of the Company. There are no authorized or outstanding shares of capital stock, options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to purchase, or equity or debt securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than those described above or accurately described in the General Disclosure Package. The description of the Company’s stock option plans and the options or other rights granted thereunder, set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, accurately and fairly present the information required to be shown with respect to such plans, arrangements, options and rights. “Initial Maximum Conversion Rate” means the initial “Conversion Rate” (as defined in the Indenture) plus the initial maximum increase of additional shares thereto in connection with a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture).

(n) All of the outstanding shares of capital stock (if any) of each Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, except to the extent set forth in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are owned by the Company directly or indirectly through one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries, free and clear of any claim, lien, encumbrance, security interest, restriction upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.

(o) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, including the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, any conversions of the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and the Indenture and the consummation of the Transactions does not and will not (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) contravene any provision of (i) applicable law, (ii) the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (iii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary, except that in the case of clauses (i), (iii) and (iv), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, including the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, any conversions of the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and the Indenture and the consummation of the Transactions, and except for the registration of offer and sale of the Securities under the Securities Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws and the listing of the Conversion Shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”), no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body, agency or court is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states, the FINRA or Exchange in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company, any conversions of the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and the Indenture and the consummation of the Transactions. All approvals necessary for the Company to consummate the Transactions have been obtained and are in effect.

 

6


(p) The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and any Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes thereto, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates shown and its results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby except for any normal year-end adjustments in the Company’s quarterly financial statements. The pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma adjustments reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in the pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act, and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements. The other financial information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, or Romeo Power, Inc., and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.

(q) Ernst & Young LLP, who has audited certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and delivered its report with respect to certain audited consolidated financial statements and schedules filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”).

(r) The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(s) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (i) other than (a) proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Prospectus and (b) proceedings that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or on the power or ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Prospectus or (ii) that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus

 

7


and are not so described in all material respects; and there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents to which the Company is subject or by which the Company is bound that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described in all material respects or filed as required.

(t) Except where the failure would not result in a material adverse effect on the Company, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations, licenses and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization, license or permit which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(u) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities or the concurrent offering described in the General Disclosure Package and the application of the proceeds thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in each case as described in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

(v) The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

(w) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries own or have a valid license to all patents, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and other intellectual property, including any and all registrations, applications for registration, and goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”) currently employed by them in connection with the business as now operated, or as proposed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, to be operated, by them, except where the failure to own, possess, license, have the right to use any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights exclusively licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case, which are material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property Rights; (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of Intellectual Property Rights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a material adverse effect on the Company

 

8


and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (iv) all Intellectual Property Rights owned or purported to be owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries is owned solely by the Company or its Subsidiaries and is owned free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, defects and other restrictions; (v) to the Company’s knowledge, no third party is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company, except to the extent that the infringement, misappropriation or violation, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (vi) to the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights of a third party; (vii) all employees or contractors engaged in the development of Intellectual Property Rights on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company have executed an invention assignment agreement whereby such employees or contractors presently assign all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property Rights to the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, and to the Company’s knowledge no such agreement has been breached or violated; and (viii) the Company and its Subsidiaries use, and have used, commercially reasonable efforts to appropriately maintain all information intended to be maintained as a trade secret.

(x) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, respectively.

(y) No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(z) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

9


(aa) There are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(bb) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date of this Agreement or have requested extensions thereof (except where the failure to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) and have paid all taxes required to be paid (except for cases in which the failure to pay would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, except as are currently being contested in good faith and for which reserves required by GAAP have been created in the financial statements of the Company), and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which, individually or in the aggregate, has had (nor does the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any notice or knowledge of any tax deficiency which could reasonably be expected to be determined adversely to the Company or its Subsidiaries and which could reasonably be expected to have) a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(cc) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as in the Company’s reasonable judgment are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(dd) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement is accurate, in each case in all material respects. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

10


(ee) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, the Company maintains an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company has carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, and except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, and the Prospectus, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter.

(ff) None of the proceeds of the sale of the Securities will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin securities” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Securities to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meanings of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

(gg) Except as otherwise have been validly waived or complied with in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities contemplated hereby and as described in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to include such securities with the Securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.

(hh) Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in each of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction; (ii) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock other than ordinary and customary dividends; and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short term debt or long term debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(ii) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are in effect.

 

11


(jj) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, or any director or officer thereof, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee, agent or representative of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment, giving or receipt of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) (“Government Official”) in order to influence official action, or to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws; (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws.

(kk) The statistical and market related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data are consistent with the sources from which they are derived.

(ll) The operations of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and each of its Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(mm) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently (a) subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”) or (b) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, or so-called Luhansk People’s Republic or any other Covered Region of Ukraine identified pursuant to Executive Order 14065, and the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria). The Company represents and covenants that it will

 

12


not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person (a) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or (b) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any person (including any person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). The Company represents and covenants that, except as detailed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, for the past five years, it has not knowingly engaged in, is not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions. The Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC. For purposes of this section, no person shall be an affiliate of the Company solely by reason of owning less than a majority of any class of voting securities of the Company.

(nn) (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries use and have used any and all software and other materials distributed under a “free,” “open source,” or similar licensing model (including but not limited to the MIT License, Apache License, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU Affero General Public License) (“Open Source Software”) in compliance with all material license terms applicable to such Open Source Software; and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries uses or distributes or has used or distributed any Open Source Software in any manner that requires or has required (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to permit reverse engineering of any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be (1) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (2) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works or (3) redistributed at no charge.

(oo) Except as would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (i) the Company and each of its subsidiaries have complied and are presently in compliance with all internal and external privacy policies, contractual obligations, applicable laws, statutes, judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or other governmental or regulatory authority and any other legal obligations, in each case, relating to the collection, use, transfer, import, export, storage, protection, disposal and disclosure by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of personal, personally identifiable, household, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Data Security Obligations”, and such data, “Data”); (ii) the Company has not received any notification of or complaint regarding non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation; and (iii) of there is no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.

(pp) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, the “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its

 

13


Subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect the IT Systems and Data used in connection with the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries have used reasonable efforts to establish and maintain, and have established, maintained, implemented and complied with, reasonable information technology, information security, cyber security and data protection controls, policies and procedures, including oversight, access controls, encryption, technological and physical safeguards and business continuity/disaster recovery and security plans that are designed to protect against and prevent breach, destruction, loss, unauthorized distribution, use, access, disablement, misappropriation or modification, or other compromise or misuse of or relating to any IT System or Data used in connection with the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses (“Breach”). To the Company’s knowledge, there has been no such material Breach, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have not been notified of and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any such material Breach.

(qq) The Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are not as of the date hereof, and immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date, will not be Insolvent (as defined below). For purposes of this section, “Insolvent” means, with respect to any person, (i) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such person and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, is less than the amount required to the total Indebtedness of such person and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, (ii) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are unable to pay their consolidated debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured, (iii) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, intend to incur or believe that they will incur debts that would be beyond their ability to pay as such debts mature or (iv) such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted.

(rr) The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities.

Any certificate signed by or on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

3. PURCHASE, SALE AND DELIVERY OF OFFERED SECURITIES. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company the respective aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of the respective Underwriters in Schedule A hereto at a price equal to 97% of the aggregate principal amount thereof (the “Purchase Price”). The Representative hereby advises the Company that the Representative intends to offer for sale to the public, initially on the terms set forth in the Pricing Prospectus, the Securities as soon after this Agreement has been executed and the Representative has determined is advisable and practicable.

 

14


The Company will deliver to the Underwriters one or more certificates representing the Securities (collectively, the “Global Note”), as the case may be, in definitive form registered in such names and denominations as the Representative may request against payment by the Underwriters of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds to such bank account or accounts as the Company shall designate to the Representative at least two business days prior to the Closing Date, with any transfer or similar taxes payable in connection with the sale and delivery of certificates or security entitlements for the Securities duly paid by the Company. The Global Note in definitive form shall be made available to the Underwriters for inspection at the New York City offices of Latham & Watkins LLP (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Representative) not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) one business day immediately preceding the Closing Date. Securities to be represented by one or more definitive global securities in book-entry form will be deposited on the Closing Date, by or on behalf of the Company, with the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its designated custodian and registered in the name of Cede & Co. The date and time for delivery of and payment for the Securities is herein called the “Closing Date.”

Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligations of the Representative hereunder.

The several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

4. FURTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company agrees with the several Underwriters:

(a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative containing information previously omitted at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement in reliance on Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations not later than the second business (2nd) day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations; to notify the Representative immediately of the Company’s intention to file or prepare any supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus and to make no amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or to the Prospectus to which the Representative shall reasonably object by notice to the Company after a reasonable period to review; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to any Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Underwriters with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or

 

15


suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, and promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order.

(b) The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, and each of the Underwriters represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representative, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations (each, a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”); provided that the prior written consent of the Representative hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule B and Schedule C hereto. The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, comply with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 of the Rules and Regulations applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including the requirements relating to timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping and will not take any action that would result in an Underwriter or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of such Underwriter that such Underwriter otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.

(c) If at any time prior to the date when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) any event occurs or condition exists as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made when the Prospectus is delivered (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations), not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement any Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, that the Company will promptly notify the Representative thereof and upon its request will prepare an appropriate amendment or supplement or upon its request make an appropriate filing pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance and will use its best efforts to have any amendment to any Registration Statement declared effective as soon as possible. The Company will furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of such amendment or supplement. In case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules and Regulations) relating to the Securities, the Company upon the request of the Representative will prepare promptly an amended or supplemented Prospectus as may be necessary to permit compliance with the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as such Underwriter may reasonably request of such amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.

 

16


(d) If the General Disclosure Package is being used to solicit offers to buy the Securities at a time when the Prospectus is not yet available to prospective purchasers and any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the reasonable opinion of the Underwriters, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or to make the statements therein not conflict with the information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement then on file and not superseded or modified, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package to comply with any law, the Company promptly will either (i) prepare, file with the Commission (if required) and furnish to the Underwriters and any dealers an appropriate amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or (ii) prepare and file with the Commission an appropriate filing under the Exchange Act which shall be incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package so that the General Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or conflict with the Registration Statement then on file, or so that the General Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(e) If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof and not superseded or modified or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representative so that any use of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus may cease until it is amended or supplemented and has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

(f) To the extent not available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (“EDGAR”), to furnish promptly to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith.

 

17


(g) To deliver promptly to the Representative in New York City such number of the following documents as the Representative shall reasonably request: (i) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission (in each case excluding exhibits), (ii) each Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (iv) the Prospectus (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement), (v) conformed copies of any amendment to the Registration Statement (excluding exhibits), (vi) any amendment or supplement to the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus after the date hereof (the delivery of the documents referred to in clauses (v) and (vi) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the date of such amendment or supplement) and (vii) any document incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (excluding exhibits thereto) (the delivery of the documents referred to in clause (vi) of this paragraph (g) to be made not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day following the date of such document).

(h) To make generally available to its stockholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 16 months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) of the Rules and Regulations), an earnings statement of the Company and its Subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).

(i) To take promptly from time to time such actions as the Representative may reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate and to continue such qualifications in effect, and to comply with such laws, for so long as required to permit the offer and sale of Securities in such jurisdictions; provided that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to qualify as foreign corporations in any jurisdiction in which they are not so qualified or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction.

(j) Upon request, during the period of two years from the date hereof, to deliver to each of the Underwriters, (i) as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications furnished to stockholders generally, and (ii) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed. However, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports with the Commission on EDGAR, it is not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Underwriters.

(k) During the period commencing on and including the date hereof and ending on and including the 30th day following the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”) the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Representative), directly or indirectly offer, sell (including, without limitation, any short sale), assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, establish an open “put equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the offering of, or file any registration statement under the Securities Act in respect of, any Common Stock, options, rights or warrants to acquire Common Stock or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock (other than is contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Conversion Shares) or publicly announce any

 

18


intention to do any of the foregoing; provided, however, that the Company may (i) issue and sell the Securities hereunder (including any Conversion Shares upon conversion thereof), (ii) issue its Common Stock pursuant to an underwriting agreement being entered into by the Company and BTIG, LLC on behalf of the several underwriters named therein on the date hereof (the “Common Stock Underwriting Agreement”), (iii) issue restricted Common Stock or options to acquire Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans as such plans are in existence on the date hereof and described in the Prospectus, (iv) issue Common Stock upon conversion of the PIK Toggle Notes (as defined in the Prospectus) in accordance with the terms thereof and the indentures governing the PIK Toggle Notes and (v) issue Common Stock pursuant to the valid exercises, vesting or settlements of options, warrants or rights outstanding on the date hereof. The Company will cause each officer and director listed in Schedule D to furnish to the Representative prior to the Closing Date, a letter, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto. The Company also agrees that during the Lock-Up Period, other than for the sale of the Securities hereunder, the Company will not file any registration statement, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, under the Securities Act for any such transaction or which registers, or offers for sale, Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, except for (A) a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to employee benefit plans and (B) one or more registration statements, preliminary prospectus or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto relating to the transaction referenced in clause (ii) of this paragraph (k).

(l) To supply the Representative with copies of all correspondence to and from, and all documents issued to and by, the Commission in connection with the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act or the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein.

(m) To comply with the provisions of Regulation M under the Exchange Act and to cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Regulation M under the Exchange Act) to do the same.

(n) To use its reasonable efforts not to take any action prior to latest of the Closing Dates which would require the Prospectus to be amended or supplemented pursuant to Section 4(c).

(o) To at all times comply with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in effect from time to time.

(p) To maintain, at its expense, a trustee for the Securities.

(q) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds,” and except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, the Company does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter. The Company shall manage its affairs and investments in such a manner as not to be or become an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

19


(r) To reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive rights, shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Securities (assuming, for these purposes, that (x) all of the Securities are converted by a single holder thereof; and (y) such conversion is settled solely by the delivery of shares of Common Stock at the Initial Maximum Conversion Rate).

(s) To use its reasonable best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, and to maintain the listing of the Conversion Shares on the Exchange.

(t) To use its reasonable best efforts to do and perform all things required to be done or performed under the Transaction Documents by the Company prior to the Closing Date and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the delivery of the Securities.

(u) Upon request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company’s trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line offering of the Securities (the “License”); provided, however that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, is granted without any fee and may not be assigned or transferred.

(v) To assist the Underwriters in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(w) The Company shall prepare a final term sheet or sheets, as the case may be (in either such case, the “Final Term Sheet”) reflecting the final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, in the form of Schedule B hereto (and containing such other information as the Company and the Representative may agree), and file such Final Term Sheet as an “issuer free writing prospectus” pursuant to Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations prior to the close of business two business days after the date hereof; provided that the Company shall furnish the Representative with copies of such Final Term Sheet a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing and will not use or file any such document to which the Representative or counsel to the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay, or reimburse if paid by any Underwriter, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated: (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act; (c) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and distribution of the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein; (d) the fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters) incurred in connection with the approval of the Securities for book entry transfer by DTC and securing any required review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities and any filings made with FINRA; (e) any applicable listing or other fees; (f) the fees and expenses (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters) of qualifying the Securities

 

20


under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 4(i) and of preparing, printing and distributing wrappers, Blue Sky Memoranda and Legal Investment Surveys; (g) all fees and expenses of the Trustee and paying agent (including related reasonable documented fees and expenses of any counsel to such party to the extent that such party does not pay such fees and expenses on their own behalf); (h) the costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with the legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in Section 2(d); (i) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the officers of the Company and such consultants, including the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; (j) the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters by the Underwriters; and (k) all other costs and expenses incident to the offering of the Securities or the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s independent accountants; provided that, except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 5 and in Section 9, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the fees and expenses of their counsel, and any transfer taxes on the resale of any Securities by the Underwriters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (1) the expenses covered in clauses (d) and (f) of this this Section 5 shall not exceed a combined $35,000 in the aggregate, and (2) the expenses covered in clause (j) of this this Section 5 shall not exceed $150,000 in the aggregate, and, in each case of clause (1) and (2), shall, without duplication, be inclusive of any such fees payable pursuant to the same provisions in the Common Stock Underwriting Agreement.

6. CONDITIONS OF UNDERWRITERS OBLIGATIONS. The respective obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and as of the Time of Sale and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

(a) The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof, preventing or suspending the use of any Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission, and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representative; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by, and in compliance with, the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 4(a); and FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the terms of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

21


(b) None of the Underwriters shall have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state any fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto contains an untrue statement of fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material or omits to state any fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

(c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of each of this Agreement, the Securities, the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(d) Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP shall have furnished to the Representative such counsel’s written opinion, as special counsel to the Company, addressed to the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

(e) The Representative shall have received from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the Underwriters may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(f) At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, addressed to the Underwriters, executed and dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative (i) confirming that they are an independent registered accounting firm with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and rules and regulations of the PCAOB and (ii) stating the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(g) On the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and on the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received a letter (the “bring-down letter”) from Ernst & Young LLP addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date confirming, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or

 

22


developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of a date not more than three business days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm, of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters, with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by its letter delivered to the Representative concurrently with the execution of this Agreement pursuant to paragraph (j) of this Section 6.

(h) The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary stating that (i) such officers have examined the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and, in their opinion, the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, at the Time of Sale, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the General Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale and as of the Closing Date, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as of its date and as of the Closing Date, the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective date thereof and as of the Closing Date, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, (ii) subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that has not been so set forth therein, (iii) to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, as of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would involve a material adverse change or a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except as set forth in the Prospectus.

(i) At the time of the execution of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate of its Chief Executive Officer, covering the financial statements of Romeo Power, Inc., in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters.

(j) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package as of the date hereof, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, and (ii) other than as disclosed in the General

 

23


Disclosure Package there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than stock option and warrant exercises and stock repurchases in the ordinary course of business and repayments of existing indebtedness), or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (j), is, in the judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package.

(k) No action shall have been taken and no law, statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or could be reasonably expected to materially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or materially and adversely affect or could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the business or operations of the Company.

(l) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the Exchange or the NYSE American LLC or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices or maximum range for prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or market or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by federal or state authorities or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, or the subject of an act of terrorism, or there shall have been an outbreak of or escalation in hostilities involving the United States, or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, or (iv) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such), in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, so as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(m) An application for the listing of the Conversion Shares shall have been submitted to the Exchange, and the Exchange shall have not raised any objections to it.

(n) The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its Subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

 

24


(o) The Representative shall have received the written agreements, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, of the officers and directors of the Company listed in Schedule D to this Agreement.

(p) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Representative such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

(q) The Indenture shall have been executed and delivered by each party thereto and an executed copy thereof shall have been provided to the Representative.

(r) The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(s) No event that would be a “default” or “event of default” under the Indenture exists.

(t) No event has occurred that would, if the Securities were outstanding, require an adjustment to the conversion rate of the Securities pursuant to the Indenture.

All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.

(a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless: each Underwriter, its affiliates, and each of their respective directors, officers, managers, members, employees, representatives and agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Underwriter Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (A) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) (“Marketing Materials”) or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any Marketing

 

25


Materials, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter Indemnified Party promptly upon demand for any legal fees or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter Indemnified Party in connection with investigating, or preparing to defend, or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in, or omission or alleged omission from any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any such amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Marketing Materials made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information.

The indemnity agreement in this Section 7(a) is not exclusive and is in addition to each other liability which the Company might have under this Agreement or otherwise, and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to any Underwriter Indemnified Party.

(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, its officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Company Indemnified Parties” and each a “Company Indemnified Party”) against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability whatsoever (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), joint or several, to which such Company Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or any Marketing Materials or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules and Regulations, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or document incorporated by reference therein, or in any Marketing Materials, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they are made not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for use therein, which information the parties hereto agree is limited to the Underwriters’ Information, and shall reimburse the Company Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability, action,

 

26


investigation or proceeding, as such fees and expenses are incurred. This indemnity agreement is not exclusive and will be in addition to any liability which the Underwriters might otherwise have and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available under this Agreement, at law or in equity to the Company Indemnified Parties.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 7 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure; and, provided, further, that the failure to notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 7. If any such action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party (which counsel shall not, except with the written consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party). After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such action, except as provided herein, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under Section 7 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense of such action but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of investigation) shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment thereof has been specifically authorized in writing by the Company in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(a) or the Representative in the case of a claim for indemnification under Section 7(b), (ii) such indemnified party shall have been advised by its counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or (iii) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such action and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party within a reasonable period of time after notice of the commencement of the action or the indemnifying party does not diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, in which case, if such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of (or, in the case of a failure to diligently defend the action after assumption of the defense, to continue to defend) such action on behalf of such indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall be responsible for legal or other expenses subsequently and reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense of such action; provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties (in addition to any local counsel), which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representative if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Underwriter Indemnified Party or by the Company if the indemnified parties under this Section 7 consist of any Company Indemnified

 

27


Parties. Subject to this Section 7(c), the amount payable by an indemnifying party under Section 7 shall include, but not be limited to, (x) reasonable legal fees and expenses of counsel to the indemnified party and any other expenses in investigating, or preparing to defend or defending against, or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any action, investigation, proceeding or claim, and (y) all amounts paid in settlement of any of the foregoing. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment with respect to any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever, in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 7 (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. Subject to the provisions of the following sentence, no indemnifying party shall be liable for settlement of any pending or threatened action or any claim whatsoever that is effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with its written consent, if its consent has been unreasonably withheld or delayed or if there be a judgment for the plaintiff in any such matter, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. In addition, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested that an indemnifying party reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 7(a) or 7(b) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the request for reimbursement, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 7(a) or 7(b), then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid, payable or otherwise incurred by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof), as incurred, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) of this Section 7(d) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) of this Section 7(d) but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to the statements, omissions, acts or failures to act which resulted in such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or any action, investigation or proceeding in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the

 

28


Securities purchased under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement, omission, act or failure to act; provided that the parties hereto agree that the written information furnished to the Company by the Representative by or on behalf of the Underwriters for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, consists solely of the Underwriters’ Information.

(e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to Section 7(d) above were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in Section 7(d) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding referred to in Section 7(d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating, preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as a third party witness in respect of, or otherwise incurred in connection with, any such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability, action, investigation or proceeding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement, omission or alleged omission, act or alleged act or failure to act or alleged failure to act. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligation to contribute as provided in this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

8. TERMINATION. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Representative, in its absolute discretion by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 6(k) or 6(l) have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

9. REIMBURSEMENT OF UNDERWRITERS EXPENSES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if (a) this Agreement shall have been terminated pursuant to Section 8 or 10, (b) the Company shall fail to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters for any reason not permitted under this Agreement, (c) the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement or (d) the sale of the Securities is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth herein is not satisfied or because of the refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to satisfy any condition or to comply with the provisions hereof, then in addition to the

 

29


payment of amounts in accordance with Section 5, the Company shall, pro rata based on the aggregate principal amount of Securities it agreed to sell hereunder, reimburse the Underwriters for reasonable and accountable fees and expenses of Underwriters’ counsel and for such other out-of-pocket expenses as shall have been actually incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Securities, including, without limitation, travel and lodging expenses of the Underwriters, and upon demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representative; provided that if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of expenses to the extent incurred by such defaulting Underwriter, provided further that the foregoing shall not limit any reimbursement obligation of the Company to any non-defaulting Underwriter under this Section 9.

10. SUBSTITUTION OF UNDERWRITERS. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase shares of Securities hereunder on the Closing Date and the aggregate principal amount of Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount to be purchased by all Underwriters on the Closing Date, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on the Closing Date. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall so default and the aggregate principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur is more than 10% of the total aggregate principal amount to be purchased by all Underwriters on the Closing Date and arrangements satisfactory to the Representative and the Company for the purchase of such Securities by other persons are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate.

If the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters are required hereby or agree to take up all or part of the shares of Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters on the Closing Date as provided in this Section 10, (i) the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period of not more than five full business days in order that the Company may effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees promptly to file any amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the respective aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased by the remaining Underwriters or substituted Underwriters shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting obligation for all purposes of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability to the Company or the other Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default hereunder. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except that the representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, agreements and other statements set forth in Section 2, the obligations with respect to expenses to be paid or reimbursed pursuant to Sections 5 and 9 and the provisions of Section 7 and Sections 11 through 24, inclusive, shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

30


11. ABSENCE OF FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

(a) each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature, the Representative has been retained solely to act as underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Company and the Representative has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether the Representative has advised or is advising the Company on other matters;

(b) the price of the Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Company following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representative and the Company is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(c) it has been advised that the Representative and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and that the Representative has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

(d) it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Representative for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that the Representative shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Company in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Company, including stockholders, employees or creditors of the Company.

12. SUCCESSORS; PERSONS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the several Underwriters, the Company and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties, and the indemnities of the several Underwriters shall be for the benefit of the Company Indemnified Parties. It is understood that each Underwriter’s responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and the Underwriters do not owe the Company, or any other party, any fiduciary duty as a result of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

13. SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES, REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, ETC. The respective indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by them respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any person controlling any of them and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. Notwithstanding any

 

31


termination of this Agreement, including without limitation any termination pursuant to Section 8 or Section 10, the indemnities, covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements forth in Sections 2, 5, 7 and 9 and Sections 11 through 24, inclusive, of this Agreement shall not terminate and shall remain in full force and effect at all times.

14. NOTICES. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:

(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to BTIG, LLC, 65 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Mike Passaro, mpassaro@btig.com; with a copy to: BTIG, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: General Counsel, IBLegal@BTIG.com; and

(b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex, facsimile transmission or email to Nikola Corporation, 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer, email:                 ; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 shall be delivered or sent by mail, or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the several Underwriters, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the several Underwriters upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

15. DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “business day” means any day on which the Exchange is open for trading and (b) “Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations but in no event shall “Subsidiary” include the Foreign Subsidiaries.

16. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, including without limitation Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations. The Company irrevocably (a) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined by any such court, (c) waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any immunity from the jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process, (d) agrees not to commence any such suit, action or proceeding other than in such courts, and (e) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum.

17. UNDERWRITERS INFORMATION. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for all purposes of this Agreement, the “Underwriters Information” consists solely of the following information in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting–Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the first, second and third paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting–Price Stabilization, Short Positions” and the information under the heading “Underwriting–Electronic Distribution,” in each case contained in the Pricing Prospectus.

 

32


18. PARTIAL UNENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph, clause or provision hereof. If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

19. GENERAL. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. In this Agreement, the masculine, feminine and neuter genders and the singular and the plural include one another. The section headings in this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties only and will not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived, only by a writing signed by the Company and the Representative.

20. AUTHORITY OF THE REPRESENTATIVE. In connection with this Agreement, you will act for and on behalf of the several Underwriters, and any action taken under this Agreement by the Representative, will be binding on all of the Underwriters.

21. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

22. RECOGNITION OF THE U.S. SPECIAL RESOLUTION REGIMES.

(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

For purposes of this Section 22, a “BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k). “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning

 

33


assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. “U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

23. TRIAL BY JURY. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

24. TIME. TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORT HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any instruments, agreements, certificates, legal opinions, negative assurance letters or other documents entered into or delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign, AdobeSign, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

34


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of the agreement between the Company and the several Underwriters, kindly indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

 

Very truly yours,
Nikola Corporation
By:   /s/ Stephen J. Girsky
  Name: Stephen J. Girsky
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement (Convertible Notes)]


Acceptance of the date first above written:
BTIG, LLC
 

Acting on its own behalf

and as Representative of the several

Underwriters referred to in the

foregoing Agreement.

BTIG, LLC
By:   /s/ Forrest Koenig
  Name: Forrest Koenig
  Title: Managing Director

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement (Convertible Notes)]


SCHEDULE A

 

Name

   Principal Amount of
Securities
 

BTIG, LLC

   $ 87,500,000  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

     35,000,000  

Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited

     26,250,000  

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

     24,938,000  

WR Securities, LLC

     1,312,000  

Total

   $ 175,000,000  


SCHEDULE B

Pricing Term Sheet

[Attached]


Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration Statement File No. 333-264068

Relating to the

Preliminary Prospectus Supplements

Dated December 6, 2023

(To Prospectus Dated April 14, 2022)

PRICING TERM SHEET

December 7, 2023

Nikola Corporation

Offerings of

133,333,334 Shares of Common Stock

and

$175,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

The information in this pricing term sheet supplements Nikola Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 6, 2023 (the “Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), relating to an offering of common stock (the “Common Stock Offering”), and Nikola Corporation’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 6, 2023 (the “Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement,” and, together with the Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplements”), relating to an offering of green convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Note Offering”), and supersedes the information in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement to the extent inconsistent with the information in that Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. Terms used, but not defined, in this pricing term sheet have the respective meanings set forth in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. As used in this pricing term sheet, “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Nikola Corporation and not to its subsidiaries.

Common Stock Offering

 

Issuer    Nikola Corporation.
Securities Offered    133,333,334 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Nikola Corporation (the “Common Stock”).
Ticker / Exchange for Common Stock    NKLA / Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”).

Last Reported Sale Price per Share of Common Stock on Nasdaq on

December 7, 2023

   $0.7526.

 

- 1 -


Public Offering Price per Share of Common Stock    $0.75.
Underwriting Discount    $0.03 per share of Common Stock, and $4,000,000.02 in the aggregate.
Trade Date    December 8, 2023.
Settlement Date    December 12, 2023.
Use of Proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the Common Stock Offering will be approximately $95.7 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” in the Common Stock Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Book-Running Managers    BTIG, LLC
   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
   Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited
   Nomura Securities International, Inc.
   WR Securities, LLC
CUSIP / ISIN Numbers for the Common Stock    654110 105 / US6541101050.
   Convertible Note Offering
Issuer    Nikola Corporation.
Ticker / Exchange for Common Stock    NKLA / Nasdaq.
Trade Date    December 8, 2023.
Settlement Date    December 12, 2023.
Notes    8.25% green convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).
Principal Amount    $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes.
Public Offering Price    100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Settlement Date.
Underwriting Discount    3.00% of the principal amount of the Notes, and $5,250,000 in the aggregate, in each case plus accrued interest, if any, from the Settlement Date.

 

- 2 -


Maturity    December 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.
Stated Interest Rate    8.25% per annum.
Interest Payment Dates    June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2024.
Record Dates    June 1 and December 1.

Last Reported Sale Price per Share of Common Stock on Nasdaq on

December 7, 2023

   $0.7526.
Conversion Premium    Approximately 20% above the Public Offering Price per Share of Common Stock in the Common Stock Offering.
Initial Conversion Price    Approximately $0.90 per share of our Common Stock.
Initial Conversion Rate    1,111.1111 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.
Optional Redemption    The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations described below), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 15, 2025 and before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our Common Stock exceeds 175% of the conversion price on each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice. However, we may not redeem less than all of the outstanding Notes unless at least $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes are outstanding and not called for redemption as of the time we send the related redemption notice. See “Description of NotesOptional Redemption” in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

- 3 -


Use of Proceeds    We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the Convertible Note Offering will be approximately $169.5 million, after deducting the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Note Offering to finance, refinance or make direct investments in, in whole or in part, one or more new or recently completed (within the 24 months prior to the Settlement Date), current and/or future Eligible Green Projects in alignment with the guidelines of the Green Bond Principles, 2021 (with June 2022 Appendix I). Pending full allocation of an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Convertible Note Offering to Eligible Green Projects, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in cash or other short-term and liquid instruments, and we will not knowingly invest in operations that result in an overall net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. See “Use of Proceeds” in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration    We and each beneficial owner of the Notes will agree in the indenture to treat the Notes, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as “contingent payment debt instruments” and to be bound by our application of the contingent payment debt regulations to the Notes, including our determination of the comparable yield of the Notes and the related projected payment schedule. Under this characterization, U.S. holders will generally be required to accrue and include in income (as ordinary income) original issue discount (subject to certain adjustments) on a constant-yield basis, based on the rate at which we would issue a noncontingent, nonconvertible debt instrument with terms and conditions otherwise comparable to the terms of the Notes, regardless of the U.S. holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We have determined that this rate is 14.33% per annum, compounded semi-annually. The amount of interest required to be included in income for each year will therefore generally exceed the interest payments on the Notes in that year. In addition, U.S. holders will recognize ordinary income, rather than capital gain, on the sale, conversion, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Note at a gain. The amount realized by a U.S. holder on a conversion will equal the amount of cash plus the fair market value of Common Stock received.
Book-Running Managers    BTIG, LLC
   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
   Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited
   Nomura Securities International, Inc.
   WR Securities, LLC

 

- 4 -


CUSIP / ISIN Numbers    654110 AG0 / US654110AG03.
Increase to Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change    If a make-whole fundamental change occurs and the conversion date for the conversion of a Note occurs during the related make-whole fundamental change conversion period, then, subject to the provisions described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” the conversion rate applicable to such conversion will be increased by a number of shares set forth in the table below corresponding (after interpolation, as described below) to the effective date and the stock price of such make-whole fundamental change:

 

     Stock Price  

Effective Date

   $ 0.750      $ 0.875      $ 0.900      $ 1.050      $ 1.150      $ 1.250      $ 1.575      $ 1.750      $ 2.000      $ 2.250  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 12, 2023

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        50.4667        24.5130        16.9640        9.0286        4.1343        0.1250        0.0000  

December 15, 2024

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        44.8095        24.5130        14.1400        4.5460        2.0814        0.0625        0.0000  

December 15, 2025

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        31.6190        24.5130        11.3160        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

December 15, 2026

     222.2222        31.7486        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

If such effective date or stock price is not set forth in the table above, then:

 

   

if such stock price is between two stock prices in the table above or the effective date is between two dates in the table above, then the number of additional shares will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers of additional shares set forth for the higher and lower stock prices in the table above or the earlier and later dates in the table above, based on a 365- or 366-day year, as applicable; and

 

   

if the stock price is (x) greater than $2.25 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the stock prices set forth in the column headings of the table above are adjusted, as described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Increase in Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change—Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares”); or (y) less than $0.75 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner), then no additional shares will be added to the conversion rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event will the conversion rate be increased to an amount that exceeds 1,333.3333 shares of our Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which amount is subject to adjustment in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the conversion rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to the provisions described in the Convertible Note Preliminary Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Description of Notes—Conversion Rights—Conversion Rate Adjustments—Generally.”

*  *  *

 

- 5 -


We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplements with the SEC for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and these offerings. You may get these documents free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the applicable offering will arrange to send you the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (or, when available, the applicable final prospectus supplement) and the accompanying prospectus upon request to: BTIG, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Attention: Syndicate Department (415-248-2200) or by email at prospectusdelivery@btig.com.

The information in this pricing term sheet is not a complete description of the Common Stock, the Common Stock Offering, the Notes or the Convertible Note Offering. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in the applicable Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as supplemented by this pricing term sheet, in making an investment decision with respect to the Common Stock or the Notes.

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR BELOW ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

 

- 6 -


SCHEDULE C

None.


SCHEDULE D

1. Stephen J. Girsky

2. Steven M. Shindler

3. Michael L. Mansuetti

4. Mary L. Petrovich

5. Bruce L. Smith

6. John C. Vesco

7. Andrew M. Vesey

8. Joseph S. Cappello

9. Mary S. Chan

10. Joseph R. Pike

11. Britton M. Worthen


Exhibit I

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

[    ], 2023

BTIG, LLC

65 East 55th Street

New York, NY 10022

RE:     Nikola Corporation (the “Company”)

Ladies & Gentlemen:

This agreement is being delivered to you in connection with (i) the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Equity Underwriting Agreement”) between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and BTIG, LLC (“BTIG”), as representative of the several underwriters named therein (in such capacity, the “Representative”), relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of shares (the “Shares”) of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Notes Underwriting Agreement” and, together with the Equity Underwriting Agreement, the “Underwriting Agreements” and each, an “Underwriting Agreement”) between the Company and the Representative, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, relating to the proposed issuance by the Company of its Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes” and, together with the Shares, the “Securities”).

In order to induce you to enter into the Underwriting Agreements, and in light of the benefits that the offering of Securities will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer, director or employee of the Company, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with the Representative that, during the period beginning on and including the date of the Underwriting Agreements through and including the date that is the 30th day after the date of such Underwriting Agreements (or if the Underwriting Agreements have different dates, from the date of the earlier executed Underwriting Agreement for 30 days after the latest date set forth on any such Underwriting Agreement, or if only one of the proposed offerings occurs, then 30 days after the latest date set forth on any such Underwriting Agreement) (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable in Common Stock, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or similar


agreement or arrangement that transfers in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable in Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or (iii) engage in any short selling of Common Stock.

The restrictions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to:

 

  1.

if the undersigned is a natural person, any transfers made by the undersigned (a) as a bona fide gift to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family, (b) by will or intestate succession upon the death of the undersigned or (c) as a bona fide gift to a charity, non-profit organization or educational institution;

 

  2.

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers to any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value;

 

  3.

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer made by the undersigned (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this agreement or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate (as defined below) of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value;

 

  4.

the transfer or sale of any shares of Common Stock or other securities pursuant to any contract, instruction or plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that has been entered into by the undersigned (or a member of the undersigned’s immediate family) prior to the commencement of the Lock-Up Period;

 

  5.

transactions relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offerings, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Common Stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions during the Lock-Up Period;

 

  6.

transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock in a transaction not involving a disposition for value that occurs by operation of law pursuant to a qualified domestic order in connection with a divorce settlement;


  7.

transfers or dispositions of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock made by the undersigned to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or arrangements and the Founder Stock Option Plan (as defined in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K), provided that no public announcement or filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or any other public filing or disclosure shall be made by the undersigned during the Lock-Up Period, unless such filing is required and indicates in the footnotes thereto that the transfer or disposition is made to satisfy tax withholding obligations pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plans or arrangements and the Founder Stock Option Plan disclosed in the Prospectus; and

 

  8.

the transfer of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock in connection with a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other transaction approved by the board of directors of the Company involving a Change in Control (as defined below) of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, the Common Stock owned by the undersigned shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this letter agreement. For the purposes of this clause, “Change in Control” means the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, stock sale, recapitalization, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons (other than the underwriters pursuant to the offerings) of the Company’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of outstanding voting securities of the Company (or surviving entity) or would otherwise have the power to control the board of directors of the Company or to direct the operations of the Company;

provided, however, that in the case of any transfer described in clause (1)(a), 1(b), (2), (3) or (6) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that (A) the transferee executes and delivers to the Representative, not later than one business day prior to such transfer, a written agreement, in substantially the form of this agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the undersigned and not to the immediate family of the transferee) and otherwise satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative, and (B) if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (1) above, such transfer is being made as a gift or by will or intestate succession or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (2) above, such transfer is being made to a shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned and is not a transfer for value or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (3) above, such transfer is being made either (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that is an affiliate of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (6) above, the transfer is pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement.


Notwithstanding the restrictions described herein, the undersigned may at any time after the date hereof (A) exercise any options or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (including any cashless exercise to the extent permitted by the instruments representing such options or warrants); provided that in any such case the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise shall remain subject to the provisions of this agreement and, if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above) in connection with such exercise, the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that such disposition was pursuant to cashless exercise of an option or warrant, as applicable, or (B) enter into a trading plan (a “New Plan”) or modify an existing plan (a “Modified Plan”) meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, relating to the sale of shares of Common Stock or other securities, if then permitted by the Company and applicable law; provided, that the shares of Common Stock or other securities subject to a New Plan shall not be sold during the Lock-Up Period if such sale is otherwise prohibited by this agreement and shares of Common Stock or other securities subject to a Modified Plan may only be sold if they were not affected by the modifications of the existing plan. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild or other lineal descendant (including by adoption), father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

The undersigned further agrees that (i) it will not, during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), make any demand or request for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the Securities Act, of any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, and (ii) the Company may, with respect to any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above). In addition, the undersigned hereby waives, from the date hereof until the expiration of the Lock-Up Period and any extension of such period pursuant to the terms hereof, any and all rights, if any, to request or demand registration pursuant to the Securities Act, of any shares of Common Stock that are registered in the name of the undersigned.

It is understood that, if (i) the Company notifies the Representative in writing that it does not intend to proceed with either of the offerings of Securities contemplated by the Underwriting Agreements; (ii) neither of the Underwriting Agreements relating to the offerings of Securities is executed on or before December 31, 2023; or (iii) the Underwriting Agreements (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated for any reason prior to payment for and delivery of the Securities to be sold thereunder, this agreement shall immediately terminate and the undersigned shall automatically be released from all of his, her or its obligations under this agreement.


The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and that this agreement has been duly authorized (if the undersigned is not a natural person), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned. This agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the offerings of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that, although the Representative may be required or choose to provide certain Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS disclosures to you in connection with the offerings, the Representative and the other underwriters are not making a recommendation to you to enter into this agreement, and nothing set forth in such disclosures is intended to suggest that the Representative or any underwriter is making such a recommendation.

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any offering of Securities actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.

[signature page follows]


Very truly yours,

 

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:


Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

TO

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of December 12, 2023

 

 

 

 

 


NIKOLA CORPORATION

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and

Indenture, dated as of December 12, 2023

 

Trust Indenture

Act Section

   Indenture
Sections
§ 310(a)(1)    609
         (a)(2)    609
         (a)(3)    Not Applicable
         (a)(4)    Not Applicable
         (a)(5)    609
         (b)    608
   610
§ 311(a)    613(a)
         (b)    613(b)
         (b)(2)    703(a)(2)
   703(b)
§ 312(a)    701
   702(a)
         (b)    702(b)
         (c)    702(c)
§ 313(a)    703(a)
         (b)    703(b)
         (c)    703(a), 703(b)
         (d)    703(c)
§ 314(a)    704, 1004
         (b)    Not Applicable
         (c)(1)    102
         (c)(2)    102
         (c)(3)    Not Applicable
         (d)    Not Applicable
         (e)    102
§ 315(a)    601(a)
         (b)    602
   703(a)(7)
         (c)    601(b)
         (d)    601(c)
         (d)(l)    601(a)(1)
         (d)(2)    601(c)(2)
         (d)(3)    601(c)(3)
         (e)    514
§ 316(a)    101
         (a)(1)(A)    502
   512
         (a)(1)(B)    513
         (a)(2)    Not Applicable
         (b)    508
         (c)    104(e)
§ 317(a)(l)    503
         (a)(2)    504
         (b)    1003
§ 318(a)    107

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE ONE   

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

  

SECTION 101.

  

Definitions

     1  

SECTION 102.

  

Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     6  

SECTION 103.

  

Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     7  

SECTION 104.

  

Acts of Holders

     7  

SECTION 105.

  

Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company

     8  

SECTION 106.

  

Notice to Holders; Waiver

     8  

SECTION 107.

  

Conflict With Trust Indenture Act

     9  

SECTION 108.

  

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     9  

SECTION 109.

  

Successors and Assigns

     9  

SECTION 110.

  

Separability Clause

     9  

SECTION 111.

  

Benefits of Indenture

     9  

SECTION 112.

  

Governing Law

     9  

SECTION 113.

  

Legal Holidays

     9  

SECTION 114.

  

Rules by Trustee and Agents

     9  

SECTION 115.

  

No Recourse Against Others

     9  

SECTION 116.

  

Counterparts

     10  
ARTICLE TWO   
SECURITY FORMS   

SECTION 201.

  

Forms Generally

     10  

SECTION 202.

  

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     11  
ARTICLE THREE   
THE SECURITIES   

SECTION 301.

  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     11  

SECTION 302.

  

Denominations

     13  

SECTION 303.

  

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     13  

SECTION 304.

  

Temporary Securities

     14  

SECTION 305.

  

Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     15  

SECTION 306.

  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     15  

SECTION 307.

  

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     16  

SECTION 308.

  

Persons Deemed Owners

     17  

SECTION 309.

  

Cancellation

     17  

SECTION 310.

  

Computation of Interest

     17  

SECTION 311.

  

Global Securities; Exchanges; Registration and Registration of Transfer

     17  

SECTION 312.

  

Extension of Interest Payment

     18  

 

i


ARTICLE FOUR   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE   
SECTION 401.    Termination of Company’s Obligations    18
SECTION 402.    Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture    19
SECTION 403.    Defeasance of Certain Obligations    20
SECTION 404.    Conditions to Defeasance    20
SECTION 405.    Application of Trust Money    21
SECTION 406.    Reinstatement    21
ARTICLE FIVE   
REMEDIES   
SECTION 501.    Events of Default    22
SECTION 502.    Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment    22
SECTION 503.    Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee    23
SECTION 504.    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    23
SECTION 505.    Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities    24
SECTION 506.    Application of Money Collected    24
SECTION 507.    Limitation on Suits    24
SECTION 508.    Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest    25
SECTION 509.    Restoration of Rights and Remedies    25
SECTION 510.    Rights and Remedies Cumulative    25
SECTION 511.    Delay or Omission Not Waiver    25
SECTION 512.    Control by Holders    25
SECTION 513.    Waiver of Past Defaults    26
SECTION 514.    Undertaking for Costs    26
SECTION 515.    Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws    26
ARTICLE SIX   
THE TRUSTEE   
SECTION 601.    Certain Duties and Responsibilities    27
SECTION 602.    Notice of Defaults    27
SECTION 603.    Certain Rights of Trustee    28
SECTION 604.    Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities    29
SECTION 605.    May Hold Securities    29
SECTION 606.    Money Held in Trust    29
SECTION 607.    Compensation and Reimbursement    29
SECTION 608.    Disqualification; Conflicting Interests    30
SECTION 609.    Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility    30
SECTION 610.    Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor    30

 

ii


SECTION 611.   Acceptance of Appointment by Successor    31
SECTION 612.   Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business    32
SECTION 613.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company    32
SECTION 614.   Appointment of Authenticating Agent    32
ARTICLE SEVEN   
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY   
SECTION 701.   Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders    34
SECTION 702.   Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders    34
SECTION 703.   Reports by Trustee    35
SECTION 704.   Reports by Company    35
ARTICLE EIGHT   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER   
SECTION 801.   Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms    36
SECTION 802.   Successor Substituted for the Company    36
ARTICLE NINE   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   
SECTION 901.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders    36
SECTION 902.   Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders    38
SECTION 903.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures    39
SECTION 904.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures    39
SECTION 905.   Conformity With Trust Indenture Act    39
SECTION 906.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures    39
SECTION 907.   Revocation and Effect of Consents    39
SECTION 908.   Modification Without Supplemental Indenture    40
ARTICLE TEN   
COVENANTS   
SECTION 1001.   Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest    40
SECTION 1002.   Maintenance of Office or Agency    40
SECTION 1003.   Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust    41
SECTION 1004.   Statement as to Compliance    42
SECTION 1005.   Corporate Existence    [●]
SECTION 1006.   Waiver of Certain Covenants    42

 

iii


ARTICLE ELEVEN   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES   
SECTION 1101.   Applicability of Article    42
SECTION 1102.   Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee    42
SECTION 1103.   Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed    43
SECTION 1104.   Notice of Redemption    43
SECTION 1105.   Securities Payable on Redemption Date    44
SECTION 1106.   Securities Redeemed in Part    44
ARTICLE TWELVE   
REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS   
SECTION 1201.   Applicability of Article    45
SECTION 1202.   Notice of Repayment Date    45
SECTION 1203.   Securities Payable on Repayment Date    46
SECTION 1204.   Securities Repaid in Part    46

 

 

iv


INDENTURE, dated as of December 12, 2023, between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debt securities (each, a “Security” or, collectively, the “Securities”), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires;

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4) the word “or” is not exclusive; and

(5) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.

Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified 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 Procedures” means, with respect to a Depositary, as to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.


Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, either the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person or any duly authorized committee of thereof.

Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day”, when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location specified in the Securities or this Indenture, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment, such other location or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close, except as may be otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b).

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person has become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be principally administered and which at the date hereof is located at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, 60 Livingston Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55107 (Attn: Nikola Corporation Administrator).

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of a Global Security, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company in Section 301(b) until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that series.

Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America that is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts at the time of payment.

Eligible Obligations” means U.S. Government Obligations.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

2


GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States at the date of any computation required or permitted hereunder or, at the election of the Company with respect to Securities of a series, at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture

Global Security” means a Security, if any, evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities established in accordance with Section 301.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates.

Holder” means, with respect to a Security, a Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

interest” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of, or counsel for, the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

Outstanding” means, when used with respect to Securities of any series, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities or portions thereof for whose payment or redemption money or Eligible Obligations (or any combination of money and Eligible Obligations) in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company or any other obligor on such Security) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company or any other obligor on such

 

3


Security (if the Company or any other obligor on such Security acts as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity thereof, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) Securities as to which the Company has effected defeasance as provided in Section 402;

(d) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it and the Company that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date,

(i) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor (unless the Company, such Affiliate or such obligor owns (x) all Securities Outstanding under this Indenture or (y) except for the purposes of actions to be taken by Holders of more than one series or Tranche voting as a class, all Outstanding Securities of each such series and each such Tranche, as the case may be, determined without regard to this clause) shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor;

(ii) in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of any series or Tranche have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, the principal amount of Original Issue Discount Securities that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502; and

(iii) in the case of any Security the principal of that is payable from time to time without presentment or surrender, the principal amount of such Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding at any time for all purposes of this Indenture shall be the original principal amount thereof less the aggregate amount of principal thereof theretofore paid.

Paying Agent” means any Person, including the Company, authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time any or all of the specific terms of which Securities, including without limitation the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the Stated Maturity or Maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company or its agents from time to time subsequent to the initial request for the authentication and delivery of such Securities by the Trustee, all as contemplated in Sections 301 and 303.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

4


Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of that series or Tranche are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301(b).

Predecessor Security” means, with respect to any particular Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

Redemption Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture, exclusive of accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Regular Record Date” means, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series, the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301(b).

Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security of any series to be repaid or repurchased, the date, if any, fixed for such repayment or for such repurchase (whether at the option of the Holders or otherwise) pursuant to this Indenture.

Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security of any series to be repaid, the price, if any, at which it is to be repaid pursuant to Section 301(b).

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having responsibility for administration of this Indenture, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

series” or “series of Securities” means a series of Securities issued under this Indenture as determined by Board Resolution or as otherwise determined under this Indenture.

Special Record Date” means, for the payment of any Defaulted Interest, a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to a Security of a particular series or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

5


Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding total voting power ordinarily entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or other voting members of the governing body thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries or (b) any partnership the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or the only general partners of which are the Company or of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (or any combination thereof).

Tranche” means a group of Securities which (a) are of the same series and (b) have identical terms to other Tranches of such series except as to principal amount, date of issuance or first interest payment date, each of which may vary among Tranches of any one series.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have been appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

Trust Indenture Act” means the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

U.S. Government Obligations” means (x) any security that is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America are pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, and in either case is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the stated maturity of the applicable series of Securities, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation that is specified in clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

Vice President” means, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, if requested by the Trustee, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

(b) Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 1004) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

6


(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, such individual has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. (a) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(b) Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or representations by counsel. Any such certificate, statement or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an Officer or Officers stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Company. Any certificate, statement or opinion of, or representations by, any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

(c) Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner acceptable to the Trustee.

(c) The principal amount (except as otherwise contemplated in clause (ii) of the proviso to the definition of “Outstanding”) and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

7


(e) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of any Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted by Section 512 or 513. Such record date shall be not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders of such Securities furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 701 prior to such solicitation.

(f) If the Company solicits from Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of the Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of the record date.

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company. Except as otherwise provided herein, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, election, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(a) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by delivery in person, first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or electronic delivery with receipt confirmed, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101, or

(b) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if given in writing (which may be by delivery in person, first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or electronic delivery with receipt confirmed, or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery) to the Company addressed to it at 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer or at such other address furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company prior to such mailing.

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, where this Indenture provides for notice of any event or reports to Holders, such notice or report shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid or electronically in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary in the case of Global Securities, to each Holder of Securities affected by such event, at the address of such Holder as it appears in the Security Register and to addresses filed with the Trustee or preserved on the Trustee’s list pursuant to Section 702(a) for other Holders (and to such other addressees as may be required in the case of such notice or report under Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act), not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice or report.

(b) In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

(c) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary.

 

8


SECTION 107. Conflict With Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto (including any Paying Agent appointed pursuant to Section 1002 and Authenticating Agent appointed pursuant to Section 614 to the extent provided herein) and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York in the United States, but without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or Stated Maturity of any Security is not a Business Day at any Place of Payment or the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities, other than a provision in Securities of any series, or in the Board Resolution, Supplemental Indenture or Officer’s Certificate that establishes the terms of such Securities, that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, Repayment Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and such extension of time shall in such case be (1) excluded in the computation of interest, if any, accruing on such Security at a fixed rate and (2) included in the computation of interest, if any, accruing on such Security at a floating rate; provided, however, that if such extension would cause payment of interest at a floating rate to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

SECTION 114. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders of one or more series. The Paying Agent or Security Registrar may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

SECTION 115. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, stockholder or employee, as such, of the Company or any of its Affiliates or any successor entity shall have any liability for any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company under this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or in the Securities, or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations, covenants or agreements or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.

 

9


SECTION 116. U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

SECTION 117. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 118. Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. All notices, approvals, consents, requests and any communications hereunder must be in writing (provided that any such communication sent to the Trustee hereunder must be in the form of a document that is signed manually or by way of a digital signature provided by DocuSign or other electronic signature provider that the Company plans to use (or such other digital signature provider as specified in writing to the Trustee by the authorized representative), in English. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of using digital signatures and electronic methods to submit communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms Generally. (a) The Securities of each series shall be in substantially such form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or to conform with general usage, all as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. If all of the Securities of any series established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver a record of such action at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but an appropriate record of such action shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

(b) The definitive Securities shall be produced in such manner or combination of manners, all as determined by the Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

10


SECTION 202. Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein, referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By    
  Authorized signatory

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. (a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

(b) The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of any other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1204 and except for any Securities that, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, is payable or any formula or other method or other means by which such date or dates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise (without regard to any provisions for redemption, prepayment, acceleration, purchase or extension);

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall bear interest, if any (including the rate or rates at which overdue principal shall bear interest, if different from the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest prior to Maturity, and, if applicable, the rate or rates at which overdue premium or interest shall bear interest, if any), or any formula or other method or other means by which such rate or rates shall be determined, by reference to an index or other fact or event ascertainable outside of this Indenture or otherwise; the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue; the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on such Securities on any Interest Payment Date; the right of the Company, if any, to extend or defer the interest payment periods and the duration of any such extension or deferral as contemplated by Section 312; and the basis of computation of interest, if other than as provided in Section 310;

(5) the place or places where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, where the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration of transferor for exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served and notices to Holders pursuant to Section 106 will be published; the Security Registrar and any Paying Agent or Agents for such series or Tranche; and if such is the case, that the principal of such Securities shall be payable without presentment or surrender thereof;

 

11


(6) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem such Securities shall be evidenced;

(7) the obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series, or any Tranche thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(8) the terms, if any, on which the Securities of such series will be subordinate in right and priority of payment to other debt of the Company;

(9) the denominations in which any Securities of such series shall be issuable, if other than minimum denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

(10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

(11) if the principal of or any premium or interest on the Securities of such series is to be payable, or is to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in securities or other property, the type and amount of such securities or other property, or the manner of determining such amount shall be determined, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, any such election may be made;

(12) the Person to whom any interest on any Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary or permanent Global Security on an interest payment date will be paid;

(13) any addition to or change in the Events of Default, with respect to the Securities of such series, and any addition to or change in the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series in addition to those set forth in Article Ten;

(14) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Securities of such series may be converted into or exchanged for securities or other property of the Company or any other Person;

(15) the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the Company’s obligations under this Indenture may be terminated through the deposit of money or Eligible Instruments as provided in Article Four;

(16) any exceptions to Section 113, or variation in the definition of Business Day, with respect to the Securities of such series;

(17) any collateral security, assurance or guaranty for the Securities of such series;

(18) the non-applicability of Section 608 to the Securities of such series or any exceptions or modifications of Section 608 with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

12


(19) any rights or duties of another Person to assume the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities of such series (whether as joint obligor, primary obligor, secondary obligor or substitute obligor) and any rights or duties to discharge and release any obligor with respect to the Securities of such series or this Indenture to the extent related to such series; and

(20) any other terms, conditions and rights of such series (which terms, conditions and rights shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(a)(4)).

(c) All Securities of any one series (other than Securities offered in a Periodic Offering) shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto and as reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Securities of different series may differ in any respect.

(d) If the terms and form or forms of any series of Securities are established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall deliver a copy of such Board Resolution to the Trustee at or prior to the issuance of such series with (1) the form or forms of Security that have been approved attached thereto, or (2) if such Board Resolution authorizes a specific officer or officers to approve the terms and form or forms of the Securities, a certificate of such officer or officers approving the terms and form or forms of Security with such form or forms of Securities attached thereto. Such Board Resolution or certificate may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of any series and may provide that the specific terms of particular Securities of a series may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to the Company Order referred to in Section 303.

(e) With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, the indenture supplemental hereto or the Board Resolution that establishes such series, or the Officer’s Certificate pursuant to such supplemental indenture or Board Resolution, as the case may be, may provide general terms or parameters for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company or its agents in accordance with procedures specified in a Company Order as contemplated by Section 303(c).

(f) Unless otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities pursuant to paragraph (2) of Section 301(b), such series of Securities may be issued in one or more Tranches with various principal amounts without the consent of any Holders and additional Tranches of such series may be authenticated and delivered pursuant to Section 303.

SECTION 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301(b). In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. (a) The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer by manual, facsimile or other electronic signature. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

(b) Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

(c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series (or any Tranche thereof) executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (or such Tranche), and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities (or such Tranche); provided, however, that with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (i) such Company Order may be delivered by the Company to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such

 

13


Securities for authentication and delivery, (ii) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, all pursuant to a Company Order or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by a Company Order and (iii) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by Company Order or pursuant to such procedures.

(d) In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

(i) that such form of Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(iii) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraphs of Sections 303(c) and 303(d) in connection with a Periodic Offering, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officer’s Certificate or execute a supplemental indenture otherwise required pursuant to Section 301(b) or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraphs at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

(f) If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

(g) No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities. (a) Until definitive Securities of any series (including Global Securities) are ready for delivery, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver one or more temporary Securities that are produced in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

(b) If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

14


SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

(b) Except in the case of Securities issued in the form of a Global Security, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

(c) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(d) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

(e) Unless otherwise provided in a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a Board Resolution, or in an indenture supplemental hereto, with respect to Securities of any series, no service charge shall be made to the Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1106 or 1204 not involving any transfer.

(f) The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. (a) If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a replacement Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(b) If there has been delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such bond, security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of actual notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a replacement Security of the same series (and Tranche, if applicable) and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(c) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

15


(d) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(e) Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security is at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

(f) The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. (a) Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to the Securities of any series, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is payable.

(b) Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (ii), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

(c) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

16


SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and any premium) and (subject to Section 301 and Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Ownership of Securities of a series shall be proved by the computerized book-entry system of the Depositary in the case of Securities issued in the form of a Global Security.

None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

SECTION 309. Cancellation. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not theretofore cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, the Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever or that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall provide it with a certificate of cancellation.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

SECTION 311. Global Securities; Exchanges; Registration and Registration of Transfer. If specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, the Securities of such series may be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, which shall be deposited with the Depositary, and, unless otherwise specified in the form of Global Security adopted pursuant to Section 301, be registered in the name of the Depository’s nominee.

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for Securities of any series, any permanent Global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the beneficial owners of interests in a permanent Global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for Securities of such series of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301(b), then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities of that series in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such permanent Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent Global Security shall be surrendered from time to time in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depositary (which instructions shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 or be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) by the Depositary or such other depositary as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities of the same series without charge and the Trustee upon Company Order shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such permanent Global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such permanent Global Security to be exchanged, as shall be specified by the Depositary; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during the periods specified by Section 305.

 

17


The Global Security may be transferred to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor Depositary selected by the Company, and upon surrender for registration of transfer of the Global Security to the Trustee, the Company shall execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee, a new Global Security in the same aggregate principal amount. If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor Depositary satisfactory to the Company is not appointed within 90 days after the Company receives such notice, the Company will execute, and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, Securities in definitive form to the Depositary in exchange for the Global Security. In addition, if at any time the Company determines that it is not in the best interest of the Company or the beneficial owners of Securities to continue to have a Global Security representing all of the Securities held by a Depositary, the Company may, at its option, execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee will authenticate and deliver, Securities in definitive form to the Depositary in exchange for all or a portion of the Global Security.

SECTION 312. Extension of Interest Payment. The Company shall have the right at any time, so long as the Company is not in default in the payment of interest on the Securities of any series hereunder, to extend or defer interest payment periods on all Securities of one or more series, if so specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to such Securities and upon such terms as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) with respect to such Securities. If the Company ever so extends or defers any such interest payment period, the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee.

SECTION 313. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in the “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or similar numbers as they appear on any Security, notice or elsewhere, and, provided further that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or similar numbers.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE

SECTION 401. Termination of Companys Obligations. (a) This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging termination of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such series and this Indenture, when

(1) either

(A) all Securities of such series previously authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities of such series that are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to Section 402) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all such Securities of such series not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity, early redemption or otherwise), or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

18


(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series an amount in cash in Dollars, Eligible Obligations or any combination thereof, together (if necessary in the case of a series of Securities not bearing interest at a fixed rate) with any Hedging Obligation, so that such funds in each case are sufficient to pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, all Outstanding Securities of such series;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

(b) Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 405 and Section 1003(e) shall survive.

(c) Subject to applicable laws, upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as provided in this Section 401, the Trustee shall assign, transfer and turn over to the Company, subject to the claim provided by Section 607, any and all money, securities and other property then held by the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities.

The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 402 or Section 403 applied to the Outstanding Securities of any series in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301(b) for such Securities.

SECTION 402. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. Upon the Company’s exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to all the Outstanding Securities of any series or Tranche, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 404 being satisfied, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on such Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche, shall be satisfied and discharged and shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall at Company Request execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging the same), except as to:

(a) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust funds described in Section 405, (x) payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Outstanding Securities of such series, or portions thereof, on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest to but excluding the Redemption Date designated by the Company pursuant to subparagraph (viii) of Section 404 and (y) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series or Tranche on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series or Tranche;

(b) the obligations of the Company and the Trustee with respect to such Securities of such series or Tranche under Sections 304, 305, 306, 614, 1002 and 1003 and, if the Company shall have designated a Redemption Date pursuant to subparagraph (x) of Section 404, Sections 1104 and 1106; and

 

19


(c) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Trustee under Section 607.

SECTION 403. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit to comply with its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 801, 1006 and 1007 with respect to any Security or Securities of any series (and in respect of any term, provision or condition set forth in the covenants or restrictions specified for such Securities pursuant to Section 301(b), in any supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate establishing such Security), and the failure to comply with any such provisions shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 501(4), provided that the conditions set forth in Section 404 have been satisfied.

SECTION 404. Conditions to Defeasance. The following conditions shall be the conditions to the application of Section 402 and Section 403:

(i) the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, (x) cash in Dollars in an amount sufficient, or (y) Eligible Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide on or before the due date of any payment referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this subparagraph (i) money in an amount sufficient or (z) a combination of such cash and Eligible Obligations, together (if necessary in the case of a series of Securities not bearing interest at a fixed rate) with any Hedging Obligation so that such funds are sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge (1) the principal of (and premium, if any) and each installment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest or to but excluding the Redemption Date designated by the Company in accordance with Section 404(a)(1)(B)(iii) and (2) any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series;

(ii) in the event of an election to have Section 402 apply, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y) there has been a change in law or regulation occurring after the date hereof, to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;

(iii) in the event of an election to have Section 403 apply, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;

(iv) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(v) such provision would not cause any Outstanding Securities of such series then listed on a securities exchange to be delisted as a result thereof;

(vi) no Event of Default or event that with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

20


(vii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the holders of the Securities of such series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;

(viii) such deposit shall not, as specified in an Opinion of Counsel, cause the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series;

(ix) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with; and

(x) if the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited money or Eligible Obligations to pay or discharge the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Outstanding Securities of a series to but excluding a Redemption Date pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 404, such Redemption Date shall be irrevocably designated by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee on or prior to the date of deposit of such money or Eligible Obligations, and such Board Resolution shall be accompanied by an irrevocable Company Request that the Trustee give notice of such redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to such Redemption Date in accordance with Section 1104.

SECTION 405. Application of Trust Money. (a) Neither the Eligible Obligations nor the funds deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 401, 402 or 403, nor the principal or interest payments on any such Eligible Obligations, shall be withdrawn or used for any purpose other than, and shall be held in trust for, the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities or portions of principal amount thereof in respect of which such deposit was made, all subject, however, to the provisions of Section 606; provided, however, that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any cash received from such principal or interest payments on such Eligible Obligations deposited with the Trustee, if not then needed for such purpose, shall, to the extent practicable, be invested in Eligible Obligations of the type described in Sections 401 and 402(d)(2)(A) maturing at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and any premium and interest due and to become due on such Securities or portions thereof on and prior to the Maturity thereof, and interest earned from such reinvestment shall be paid over to the Company as received by the Trustee, free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the claim provided by Section 607; and provided, further, that, so long as there shall not have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, any moneys held by the Trustee in accordance with this Section on the Maturity of all such Securities in excess of the amount required to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due on such Securities shall be paid over to the Company free and clear of any trust, lien or pledge under this Indenture except the claim provided by Section 607.

(b) The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against Eligible Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401, 402 or 403 or the principal and any premium and interest received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.

(c) The Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any Eligible Obligations or money held by it as provided in Section 401, 402 or 403 that, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of the amount thereof that then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such Eligible Obligations or money was deposited or received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any Eligible Obligations held under this Indenture.

SECTION 406. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 402

 

21


or Section 403 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 405 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

SECTION 501. Events of Default. “Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events, unless such event is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the applicable Board Resolution or supplemental indenture under which such series of Securities is issued, as the case may be, as contemplated by Section 301:

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of the interest payment period by the Company as contemplated in Section 312 shall not constitute a failure to pay interest for this purpose; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity and, in the case of technical or administrative difficulties, only if such default persists for a period of more than three Business Days; or

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, or adjudicates the Company insolvent or bankrupt, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company, and such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(6) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301(b).

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Holders), may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately and upon any

 

22


such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) occurs, the principal of all the Securities then Outstanding (or if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act or notice on the part of the Trustee or any Holders of the Securities.

Except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 301 for all or any specific Securities of any series, at any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of one or more series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Event or Events of Default giving rise to such declaration of acceleration shall, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences shall, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled, if

(1) the Company has paid or deposited irrevocably with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

(A) all overdue interest on all Securities of any such series,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates borne by such Securities, unless another rate is provided in such Securities, and

(D) all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607;

and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. If an Event of Default described in clause (1) or (2) of Section 501 has occurred and is continuing, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series with respect to which such Event of Default has occurred, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium or interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates borne by such Securities, unless another rate is provided in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee deems most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

23


(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and premium or interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 607.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee, and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal and any premium and interest, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money or property shall have been collected and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any such payment to Holders of Securities.

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

24


(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders (it being further understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on the Repayment Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and such Holder shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of a series of Securities, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series or Tranche; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to more than one series of Securities of equal ranking, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series of equal ranking, considered as one class, shall have the right to make such direction, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series of equal ranking; provided, further that

 

25


(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability.

Prior to taking any such action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against all fees, losses, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred or to be incurred by taking such action.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences; provided that if any such past default has occurred with respect to more than one series of Securities of equal ranking, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all such series of equal ranking, considered as one class, may make such waiver, and not the Holders of the Securities of any one of such series of equal ranking, in each case, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of or premium or interest on any Security of such series, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Section 902 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series in respect of which such suit may be brought, considered as one class, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Repayment Date).

SECTION 515. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

26


ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series,

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform, with respect to Securities of such series, such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(b) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise, with respect to Securities of such series, such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that

(1) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of sub-section (a) of this Section;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any one or more series, as provided herein, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 704(3) notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such

 

27


notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 75 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 601 and to the applicable provisions of the Trust Indenture Act:

(a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, or as otherwise expressly provided herein, and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof;

(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(h) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default hereunder or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

28


(j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(k) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(l) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture; and

(m) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities of any series. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee or by any Paying Agent (other than the Company if the Company shall act as Paying Agent) in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any Paying Agent shall be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as expressly provided herein or otherwise agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as agreed to in writing by the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final nonappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on its part, as determined by a final nonappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder or performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

 

29


As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except property and funds held in trust for the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on particular Securities. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 501(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

SECTION 608. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of any series, it shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign to the extent, in the manner and with the effect, and subject to the conditions, provided in the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. For purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act and to the extent permitted thereby, the Trustee, in its capacity as trustee in respect of the equally ranked and unsecured Securities of any series, shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest arising from its capacity as trustee in respect of the equally ranked and unsecured Securities of any other series under this Indenture.

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and qualified and eligible under this Article, provided that, neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company or any obligor on the Securities may serve as Trustee of any Securities. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 has not been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction at the expense of the Company for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(c) The Company may at any time by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any or all series.

(d) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(e) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 608 with respect to the Securities of any series, after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee ceases to be eligible under Section 609 and fails to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or

(3) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or becomes adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property is appointed or any public officer takes charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

30


then, in any such case, subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(f) If the Trustee resigns, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series is appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series has been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, subject to Section 514, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(g) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series entitled to receive reports pursuant to Section 704(3). Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

(h) All provisions of this Section except subparagraph (d) and Section 611(b) (except for the last clause, after omitting the words “after deducting all amounts owed to the retiring Trustee pursuant to Section 607,” which shall apply) shall apply also to any Paying Agent located outside the United States and its possessions.

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of all series, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the

 

31


same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with Trust Indenture Act § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. (a) At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents (which may include any Person that owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock of the Trustee or a corporation that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trustee or of such other Person) with respect to one or more series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, that shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series or Tranche issued upon original issuance, exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority in the United States. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

32


(b) Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

(c) An Authenticating Agent may resign with respect to one or more series of Securities at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent with respect to one or more series of Securities by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent ceases to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that is acceptable to the Company and shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series or Tranche with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section. An Authenticating Agent appointed pursuant to this Section shall be entitled to rely on Sections 111, 308, 604 and 605 hereunder.

(d) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

(e) If an appointment with respect to the Securities of one or more series, or any Tranche thereof, is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series or Tranche may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated pursuant to and issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By    
 

As Authenticating Agent on behalf of the Trustee

By    
 

Authorized Officer of Authenticating Agent

 

Dated:   ________________________

(f) If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Company wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Company in writing (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint, in accordance with this Section and in accordance with such procedures as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Authenticating Agent (which, if so requested by the Company, may be an Affiliate of the Company) having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Company with respect to such series of Securities.

 

33


ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

(a) semi-annually, not later than the 5th day after each Regular Record Date for each series of Securities at the time Outstanding or on June 30 and December 31 of each year with respect to each series of Securities for which there are no Regular Record Dates, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, containing all the information in the possession or control of the Company, or any of its Paying Agents other than the Trustee, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series, including Holders of interests in Global Securities, as of such preceding Regular Record Date or on June 15 or December 15, as the case may be, or, in the case of a series of non-interest bearing Securities, on a date to be determined as contemplated pursuant to Section 301(b), and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar or Paying Agent. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either

(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a), or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee elects not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 702(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee by the applicants of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, enters an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and enters an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender by such applicants; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

34


(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 702(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 702(b).

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee. (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

(b) Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than 12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 1 in each calendar year, commencing with the first July 1 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture.

(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing when any Securities are listed on any securities exchange.

SECTION 704. Reports by Company. The Company shall:

(1) deliver to the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; and provided, however, that so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) or any successor system, such filings shall be deemed to have been filed with the Trustee for purposes hereof without any further action required by the Company;

(2) deliver to the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, and to each Holder whose name and address is then preserved on the Trustee’s list pursuant to the first sentence of Section 702(a), within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

35


Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE OR TRANSFER

SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any other Person, unless:

(1) either (x) the Company shall be the continuing entity or the successor Person (if other than the Company) or (y) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Outstanding Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Indenture (except that such Opinion of Counsel need not opine as to clause (2) above).

Notwithstanding the above, any Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to the Company and neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required to be delivered in connection therewith.

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted for the Company. Upon any consolidation or merger or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Company in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein and thereafter, in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety, such conveyance, transfer or lease shall have the effect of releasing the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument or any successor Person that shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Article from its liability as obligor and maker on any of the Securities.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or

 

36


(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of Securities Outstanding hereunder; or

(4) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, or to add any new provision to this Indenture, in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security Outstanding with respect to such provision in effect prior to the date of such indenture supplemental hereto or (B) shall become effective only when no Security of such series remains Outstanding; or

(5) to add guarantees or collateral security with respect to the Securities of any series; or

(6) to establish for the issuance of and establish the form or terms and conditions of Securities of any series or Tranche thereof as permitted by Section 301(b), and to establish the form of any certificates required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities; or

(7) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of all, or any series or Tranche of, certificated Securities; or

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a separate or successor Trustee or co-trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or

(9) to change any place or places where (a) the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, shall be payable, (b) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for registration or transfer, (c) all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, may be surrendered for exchange and (d) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, and this Indenture may be served;

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or Tranche or any other series of Securities in any material respect;

(11) to comply with the Applicable Procedures of any applicable Depositary;

(12) to comply with the rules or regulations of any applicable securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded;

(13) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series;

(14) (i) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or (ii) to conform the terms of any series of Securities, or Tranche thereof, to the description thereof in the prospectus and prospectus supplement (or similar offering document) offering such series of Securities, or Tranche thereof; or

 

37


(15) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Securities of any series or Tranche Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture or at any time thereafter becomes amended and

(x) if any such amendment requires one or more changes to any provisions hereof or the inclusion herein of any additional provisions, or by operation of law is deemed to effect such changes or incorporate such provisions by reference or otherwise, this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment to the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect or evidence such changes or additional provisions; or

(y) if any such amendment permits one or more changes to, or the elimination of, any provisions hereof that, at the date hereof or at any time thereafter, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein (or if it is no longer required by the Trust Indenture Act for the Indenture to contain one or more provisions), this Indenture shall be deemed to have been amended to effect such changes or elimination, and the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to evidence such amendment hereof; or

(z) if, by reason of any such amendment, it shall be no longer necessary for this Indenture to contain one or more provisions that, at the date of the execution and delivery hereof, are required by the Trust Indenture Act to be contained herein, the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to effect the elimination of such provisions.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. (a) Except as set forth in paragraph (b) below, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected (voting as one class) by such supplemental indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such series), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that if there are Securities of more than one series of equal ranking Outstanding hereunder and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required.

(b) No such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of the series affected thereby,

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount or premium, if any, thereof or the rate of interest thereon (or the amount of any installment of interest thereon) or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the method of calculating the rate of interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the coin or currency (or other property) in which, any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, or, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holders, on or after the Repayment Date), or modify any provisions of this Indenture with respect to the conversion or exchange of the Securities into Securities of another series or into any other debt or equity securities in a manner adverse to the Holders, or

 

38


(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1008, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1008, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611(b) and 901(8).

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. A waiver by a Holder of such Holder’s rights to consent under this Section shall be deemed to be a consent of such Holder.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. Any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article may restate this Indenture in its entirety, and, upon the execution and delivery thereof, any such restatement shall supersede this Indenture as theretofore in effect for all purposes.

SECTION 905. Conformity With Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Company as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company so determines, new Securities of any series, or any Tranche thereof, so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series or Tranche.

SECTION 907. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities have consented to the amendment or waiver. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or waiver.

 

39


The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.

After an amendment or waiver becomes effective it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (3) of Section 902(c). In such case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

SECTION 908. Modification Without Supplemental Indenture. If the terms of any particular series of Securities have been established in a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate as contemplated by Section 301, and not in an indenture supplemental hereto, additions to, changes in or the elimination of any of such terms may be effected by means of a supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, as the case may be, delivered to, and accepted by, the Trustee; provided, however, that such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall not be accepted by the Trustee or otherwise be effective unless all conditions set forth in this Indenture that would be required to be satisfied if such additions, changes or elimination were contained in a supplemental indenture shall have been appropriately satisfied. Upon the acceptance thereof by the Trustee, any such supplemental Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate shall be deemed to be a “supplemental indenture” for purposes of Sections 904 and 906.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. (a) Subject to the following provisions, the Company will pay to the Trustee the amounts, in such coin or currency as is at the time legal tender for the payment of public or private debt, in the manner, at the times and for the purposes set forth herein and in the text of the Securities for each series, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Trustee from funds so paid to it to make or cause to be made payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of each series as set forth herein and in the text of such Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, the Trustee will arrange directly with any Paying Agents for the payment, or the Trustee will make payment, from funds furnished by the Company, of the principal of and any premium and interest, on the Securities of each series by check or draft.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, interest, if any, on Securities of a series shall be paid by check or draft on each Interest Payment Date for such series to the Holder thereof at the close of business on the Regular Record Date specified in the Securities of such series; provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is payable. The Company may pay such interest by check or draft mailed to such Holder’s address as it appears on the register for Securities of such series. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of a series, principal of Securities shall be payable by check or draft and only against presentation and surrender of such Securities at the office of the Paying Agent, unless the Company shall have otherwise instructed the Trustee in writing.

(c) At the election of the Company, any payments by the Company provided for in this Indenture or in any of the Securities may be made by electronic funds transfer.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a) The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, an office or agency where Securities, or any Tranche thereof, of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and a Place of Payment where (subject to Sections 305 and 307) Securities may be presented for payment or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Security Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-Security Registrars acceptable to the Trustee and one or more

 

40


additional Paying Agents for each series of Securities, and the Company may terminate the appointment of any co-Security Registrar or Paying Agent at any time upon written notice. The term “Security Registrar” includes any co-Security Registrar. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. Subject to Section 305, if the Company fails to maintain a Security Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands; provided, that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be the office of service of legal process on the Company.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, any office or agency required by this Section may be maintained at any office of the Company in which event the Company shall perform all functions to be performed at such office or agency.

(d) Upon any insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company (including, without limitation, its bankruptcy, voluntary or judicial liquidation, composition with creditors, reprieve from payment, controlled management, fraudulent conveyance, general settlement with creditors, reorganization or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally), the Trustee shall automatically serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. (a) If the Company at any time acts as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Securities, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums are paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(b) Whenever the Company has one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, on or prior to (and if on, then before 11:00 a.m. (New York City time)) each due date of the principal of and any premium or interest on such Securities, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient (in immediately available funds, if payment is made on the due date) to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest as provided in the Trust Indenture Act and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

(c) The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities, or any Tranche thereof, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and

(ii) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series

 

41


(d) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

(e) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or received by the Trustee in respect of Eligible Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 404, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years (or such shorter period for the return of such funds to the Company under applicable abandoned property laws) after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

SECTION 1004. Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, a written statement, which need not comply with Section 102, signed by the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company stating, as to each signer thereof stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

SECTION 1005. Waiver of Certain Covenants. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in (i) any additional covenants or restrictions specified with respect to the Securities of any series as contemplated by Section 301 if before the time for such compliance the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount (or such larger proportion as may be required in respect of waiving a past default of any such additional covenant or restriction) of the Outstanding Securities of all series of equal ranking with respect to which such covenant or restriction was so specified, considered as one class, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition and (ii) Sections 1002 and 1004 and Article Eight if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of Securities of all series of equal ranking Outstanding under this Indenture by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition; but, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) of this Section, no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver becomes effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity (or, if the principal of the Securities of any series is payable in installments, the Stated Maturity of the final installment of the principal thereof) shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the

 

42


Company (unless a shorter notice is satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, unless the procedures of the Depositary provide otherwise, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as is provided for any particular series, or, in the absence of any such provision, pro rata, by lot, or by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and the method it has chosen for the selection of such Securities.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, notice of redemption shall be given by electronic transmission or first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price, or the formula pursuant to which the Redemption Price is to be determined if the Redemption Price cannot be determined at the time notice is given,

(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and the portion of the principal amount of any Security to be redeemed in part and, in the case of any such Security of such series to be redeemed in part, that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the remaining unpaid principal amount thereof will be issued as provided in Section 1106,

(4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(5) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

(6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(7) the CUSIP, “ISIN” or similar number(s), if any, assigned to such Securities; provided however, that such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of CUSIP, “ISIN” or similar number(s), and the redemption of such Securities shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such number(s), and

 

43


(8) such other matters as the Company shall deem desirable or appropriate.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities in accordance with Section 301, with respect to any notice of redemption of Securities at the election of the Company, unless, upon the giving of such notice, such Securities are deemed to have been paid in accordance with Section 401, such notice may state that such redemption shall be conditional upon the receipt by the Paying Agent or Agents for such Securities, on or prior to the date fixed for such redemption, of money sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Securities and that if such money has not been so received such notice shall be of no force or effect and the Company shall not be required to redeem such Securities. In the event that such notice of redemption contains such a condition and such money is not so received, the redemption shall not be made and within a reasonable time thereafter notice shall be given, in the manner in which the notice of redemption was given, that such money was not so received and such redemption was not required to be made, and the Paying Agent or Agents for the Securities otherwise to have been redeemed shall promptly return to the Holders thereof any of such Securities that had been surrendered for payment upon such redemption.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company, and any notice of non-satisfaction of a condition for redemption as aforesaid, shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request (given 5 days before such notice is to be sent (or such shorter period as shall be acceptable), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. Notice of mandatory redemption of Securities shall be given by the Security Registrar in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1105. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. (a) Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, and the conditions, if any, set forth in such notice having been satisfied, the Securities or portions thereof so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities, or portions thereof, if interest-bearing, shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security or portion thereof, if any, shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307; provided, further, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the accrued and unpaid interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant Regular Record Date.

(b) If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

SECTION 1106. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any physical Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, and of like tenor and in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

44


ARTICLE TWELVE

REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series that are repayable before their Stated Maturity at the option of the Holders shall be repayable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1202. Notice of Repayment Date. Notice of any Repayment Date with respect to Securities of any series shall be given by the Company not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to such Repayment Date (or at such other times as may be specified for such repayment or repurchase pursuant to Section 301) to each Holder of Securities of such series in accordance with Section 106 (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series).

The notice as to the Repayment Date shall state (unless otherwise specified for such repayment or repurchase pursuant to Section 301):

(1) the Repayment Date;

(2) the principal amount of the Securities required to be repaid or repurchased and the Repayment Price (or the formula pursuant to which the Repayment Price is to be determined if the Repayment Price cannot be determined at the time the notice is given);

(3) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Repayment Price, and accrued interest, if any, and the date by which Securities must be so surrendered in order to be repaid or repurchased;

(4) that any Security not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(5) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, Securities accepted for payment pursuant to any such offer of repayment or repurchase shall cease to accrue interest after the Repayment Date;

(6) that Holders electing to have a Security repaid or purchased pursuant to such offer may elect to have all or any portion of such Security purchased;

(7) that Holders electing to have a Security repaid or repurchased pursuant to any such offer shall be required to surrender the Security, with such customary documents of surrender and transfer as the Company may reasonably request, duly completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company or the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days prior to the Repayment Date;

(8) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the offer to repay or repurchase, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Security purchased;

(9) that, in the case of a repayment or repurchase of less than all Outstanding Securities of a series, the method of selection of Securities to be repaid or repurchased to be applied by the Trustee if the principal amount of properly tendered Securities exceeds the principal amount of the Securities to be repaid or repurchased;

 

45


(10) that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new Securities of the same series equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer); and

(11) the CUSIP or other identification number, if any, printed on the Securities being repurchased and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or other identification number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

SECTION 1203. Securities Payable on Repayment Date. The form of option to elect repurchase or repayment having been delivered as specified in the form of Security for such series, the Securities of such series so to be repaid (after application of the method of selection described pursuant to clause (9) of Section 1202, if the principal amount of properly tendered Securities exceeds the principal amount of the Securities to be repaid or repurchased) shall, on the Repayment Date, become due and payable at the Repayment Price applicable thereto and from and after such date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Repayment Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Repayment Price together with accrued interest, if any, to but excluding the Repayment Date; provided, however, that if a Security is repaid or repurchased on or after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Stated Maturity of any installments of interest, then any accrued and unpaid interest due on such Stated Maturity shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security is not paid upon surrender thereof for repayment, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate prescribed therefor in such Security.

SECTION 1204. Securities Repaid in Part. Any Security that by its terms may be repaid in part at the option of the Holder and that is to be repaid only in part shall be surrendered at any office or agency of the Company designated for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his or her attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, as provided in Section 305, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unrepaid portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

 

 

 

46


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By   /s/ Stephen J. Girsky
Name:   Stephen J. Girsky
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By   /s/ Brandon Bonfig
Name:   Brandon Bonfig
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


Exhibit 4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

and

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 

 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of December 12, 2023

 

 

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

 

 

 


CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust

Indenture

Act

Section

  

Indenture

Section  

310(a)(1)    N/A
      (a)(2)    N/A
      (a)(3)    N/A
      (a)(4)    N/A
      (a)(5)    N/A
      (b)    N/A
      (c)    N/A
311(a)    N/A
      (b)    N/A
      (c)    N/A
312(a)    2.08
      (b)    N/A
      (c)    N/A
313(a)    N/A
      (b)(1)    N/A
      (b)(2)    N/A
      (c)    N/A
      (d)    N/A
314(a)    3.02(A)
      (b)    N/A
      (c)(1)    11.02(A)
      (c)(2)    11.02(B)
      (c)(3)    N/A
      (d)    N/A
      (e)    11.02(A), 11.02(B)
      (f)    N/A
315(a)    N/A
      (b)    N/A
      (c)    N/A
      (d)    N/A
      (e)    7.12
316(a) (last sentence)    2.15
      (a)(1)(A)    7.06
      (a)(1)(B)    7.05
      (a)(2)    N/A
      (b)    7.08
      (c)    N/A
317(a)(1)    7.09
      (a)(2)    7.10
      (b)    2.07


Trust

Indenture

Act

Section

  

Indenture

Section  

 
318(a)      N/A  
      (b)    11.17  
      (c)    N/A  

N/A means not applicable.

*

This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                 Page  

Article 1. Definitions; Rules of Construction; Scope and Interpretation of Base Indenture

     1  
     Section 1.01.      Definitions      1  
     Section 1.02.      Other Definitions      9  
     Section 1.03.      Rules of Construction      10  

        

     Section 1.04.      Interpretation; Scope of Supplemental Indenture; Supersession of Base Indenture      11  

Article 2. The Notes

     13  
     Section 2.01.      Form, Dating and Denominations      13  
     Section 2.02.      Execution, Authentication and Delivery      14  
     Section 2.03.      Initial Notes and Additional Notes      14  
     Section 2.04.      Method of Payment      15  
     Section 2.05.      Accrual of Interest; Defaulted Amounts; When Payment Date is Not a Business Day      15  
     Section 2.06.      Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent      16  
     Section 2.07.      Paying Agent and Conversion Agent to Hold Property in Trust      17  
     Section 2.08.      Holder Lists      17  
     Section 2.09.      Legends      18  
     Section 2.10.      Transfers and Exchanges; Certain Transfer Restrictions      18  
     Section 2.11.      Exchange and Cancellation of Notes to Be Converted or to Be Repurchased Pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption      22  
     Section 2.12.      Replacement Notes      23  
     Section 2.13.      Registered Holders; Certain Rights with Respect to Global Notes      24  
     Section 2.14.      Cancellation      24  
     Section 2.15.      Notes Held by the Company or its Affiliates      24  
     Section 2.16.      Temporary Notes      24  
     Section 2.17.      Outstanding Notes      24  
     Section 2.18.      Repurchases by the Company      25  
     Section 2.19.      CUSIP and ISIN Numbers      25  

Article 3. Covenants

     26  
     Section 3.01.      Payment on Notes      26  
     Section 3.02.      Exchange Act Reports      26  
     Section 3.03.      Compliance and Default Certificates      26  
     Section 3.04.      Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      27  
     Section 3.05.      Corporate Existence      27  
     Section 3.06.      Acquisition of Notes by the Company and its Affiliates      27  
     Section 3.07.      Certain Tax Matters      27  
     Section 3.08.      Further Instruments and Acts      29  

 

- i -


Article 4. Repurchase and Redemption

     29  
     Section 4.01.      No Sinking Fund      29  
     Section 4.02.      Right of Holders to Require the Company to Repurchase Notes Upon a Fundamental Change      29  
     Section 4.03.      Right of the Company to Redeem the Notes      34  

Article 5. Conversion

     36  
     Section 5.01.      Right to Convert      36  
     Section 5.02.      Conversion Procedures      37  
     Section 5.03.      Settlement Upon Conversion      38  

        

     Section 5.04.      Reserve and Status of Common Stock Issued Upon Conversion      39  
     Section 5.05.      Adjustments to the Conversion Rate      40  
     Section 5.06.      Voluntary Adjustments      49  
     Section 5.07.      Adjustments to the Conversion Rate in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change      50  
     Section 5.08.      Exchange in Lieu of Conversion      51  
     Section 5.09.      Effect of Common Stock Change Event      52  

Article 6. Successors

     53  
     Section 6.01.      When the Company May Merge, Etc.      53  
     Section 6.02.      Successor Entity Substituted      54  

Article 7. Defaults and Remedies

     54  
     Section 7.01.      Events of Default      54  
     Section 7.02.      Acceleration      56  
     Section 7.03.      Sole Remedy for a Failure to Report      57  
     Section 7.04.      Other Remedies      58  
     Section 7.05.      Waiver of Past Defaults      58  
     Section 7.06.      Control by Majority      58  
     Section 7.07.      Limitation on Suits      59  
     Section 7.08.      Absolute Right of Holders to Receive Payment and Conversion Consideration and to Institute Suit for the Enforcement of such Right      59  
     Section 7.09.      Collection Suit by Trustee      59  
     Section 7.10.      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      60  
     Section 7.11.      Priorities      60  
     Section 7.12.      Undertaking for Costs      61  
     Section 7.13.      Trustee’s Obligation to Provide Notice of Defaults to Holders      61  

Article 8. Amendments, Supplements and Waivers

     61  
     Section 8.01.      Without the Consent of Holders      61  
     Section 8.02.      With the Consent of Holders      62  
     Section 8.03.      Notice of Amendments, Supplements and Waivers      63  
     Section 8.04.      Revocation, Effect and Solicitation of Consents; Special Record Dates; Etc.      64  
     Section 8.05.      Notations and Exchanges      64  
     Section 8.06.      Trustee to Execute Supplemental Indentures      64  

 

- ii -


Article 9. Satisfaction and Discharge

     65  
     Section 9.01.      Termination of Company’s Obligations      65  
     Section 9.02.      Repayment to Company      65  
     Section 9.03.      Reinstatement      66  

Article 10. Trustee

     66  
     Section 10.01.      Duties of the Trustee      66  
     Section 10.02.      Rights of the Trustee      67  
     Section 10.03.      Individual Rights of the Trustee      68  
     Section 10.04.      Trustee’s Disclaimer      68  
     Section 10.05.      Notice of Defaults      68  
     Section 10.06.      Compensation and Indemnity      69  

        

     Section 10.07.      Replacement of the Trustee      70  
     Section 10.08.      Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.      71  
     Section 10.09.      Eligibility; Disqualification      71  

Article 11. Miscellaneous

     71  
     Section 11.01.      Notices      71  
     Section 11.02.      Delivery of Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as to Conditions Precedent      73  
     Section 11.03.      Statements Required in Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel      73  
     Section 11.04.      Rules by the Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent      74  
     Section 11.05.      No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      74  
     Section 11.06.      Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial      74  
     Section 11.07.      Submission to Jurisdiction      74  
     Section 11.08.      No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      74  
     Section 11.09.      Successors      75  
     Section 11.10.      Force Majeure      75  
     Section 11.11.      U.S.A. PATRIOT Act      75  
     Section 11.12.      Calculations      75  
     Section 11.13.      Severability      75  
     Section 11.14.      Counterparts      76  
     Section 11.15.      Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.      76  
     Section 11.16.      Withholding Taxes      76  
     Section 11.17.      Trust Indenture Act Controls      76  

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A: Form of Note

     A-1  

Exhibit B-1: Form of Global Note Legend

     B1-1  

Exhibit B-2: Form of Contingent Payment Debt Instrument Legend

     B2-1  

Exhibit B-3: Form of Non-Affiliate Legend

     B3-1  

 

- iii -


Exhibit 4.2

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of December 12, 2023, between Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as issuer (the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), to the Base Indenture (as defined below).

This Supplemental Indenture (as defined below) is being executed and delivered pursuant to Sections 201, 301 and 901(6) of the Base Indenture to establish the terms, and provide for the issuance, of a new series of Securities (as defined in the Base Indenture) constituting the Company’s 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”).

Each party to this Supplemental Indenture agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes.

Article 1. DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION;

SCOPE AND INTERPRETATION OF BASE INDENTURE

Section 1.01. DEFINITIONS.

Subject to the last paragraph of Section 1.03, capitalized terms used in this Supplemental Indenture without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture. For purposes of the Notes, the following additional definitions will apply and supersede any conflicting definitions in the Base Indenture.

Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144 as in effect on the Issue Date.

Authorized Denomination” means, with respect to a Note, a principal amount thereof equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar U.S. federal or state or non-U.S. law for the relief of debtors.

Base Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of December 12, 2023, between the Company and the Trustee.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants or options for, participations in, or other equivalents of, in each case however designated, the equity of such Person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.

Close of Business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

 

- 1 -


Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, subject to Section 5.09.

Company” means the Person named as such in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture and, subject to Article 6, its successors and assigns.

Company Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Company by one (1) of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.

Contingent Payment Debt Instrument Legend” means a legend substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2.

Conversion Date” means, with respect to a Note, the first Business Day on which the requirements set forth in Section 5.02(A) to convert such Note are satisfied.

Conversion Price” means, as of any time, an amount equal to (A) one thousand dollars ($1,000) divided by (B) the Conversion Rate in effect at such time.

Conversion Rate” initially means 1,111.1111 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes; provided, however, that the Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 5; provided, further, that whenever the Indenture refers to the Conversion Rate as of a particular date without setting forth a particular time on such date, such reference will be deemed to be to the Conversion Rate immediately after the Close of Business on such date.

Conversion Share” means any share of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of any Note.

Coupon Make-Whole Premium” means, for any Note to be converted, an amount equal to the present value, as of the Conversion Date for such conversion, of all regularly scheduled Stated Interest payments (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Special Interest or overdue interest) due on such Note on each Interest Payment Date occurring after such Conversion Date and on or before the Maturity Date, such present value to be computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Conversion Date plus fifty (50) basis points; provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, the amount of Stated Interest due on the Interest Payment Date immediately after such Conversion Date will be deemed to be the following amount: (A) if such Conversion Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the next Interest Payment Date, zero (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Holder of such Note at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date will be entitled, notwithstanding such conversion, to receive, on or, at the Company’s election, before such Interest Payment Date, the unpaid Stated Interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date in accordance with Section 5.02(D)); and (B) in all other cases, the full amount of Stated Interest due on such Note on the Interest Payment Date immediately after such Conversion Date.

 

- 2 -


Default” means any event that is (or, after notice, passage of time or both, would be) an Event of Default.

Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company or its successor.

Depositary Participant” means any member of, or participant in, the Depositary.

Depositary Procedures” means, with respect to any conversion, transfer, exchange or other transaction involving a Global Note or any beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary applicable to such conversion, transfer, exchange or transaction.

Ex-Dividend Date” means, with respect to an issuance, dividend or distribution on the Common Stock, the first date on which shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance, dividend or distribution (including pursuant to due bills or similar arrangements required by the relevant stock exchange). For the avoidance of doubt, any alternative trading convention on the applicable exchange or market in respect of the Common Stock under a separate ticker symbol or CUSIP number will not be considered “regular way” for this purpose.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exempted Fundamental Change” means any Fundamental Change with respect to which, in accordance with Section 4.02(I), the Company does not offer to repurchase any Notes.

Fundamental Change” means any of the following events:

(A) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company or its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, or any of their respective employee benefit plans, files Schedule TO (or any successor schedule) or any schedule, form or report with the SEC indicating that such person or group has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner” (as defined below) of shares of the Common Stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of all of the Common Stock; provided; however, that no “person” or “group” will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such “person” or “group” until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange under such offer;

(B) the consummation of (i) any sale, lease or other transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, other than solely to one or more of the Company’s Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; or (ii) any transaction or series of related transactions in connection with which (whether by means of merger, consolidation, share exchange, combination, reclassification, recapitalization, acquisition, liquidation or otherwise) all of the Common Stock is exchanged for, converted into, acquired for, or constitutes solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property; provided, however, that any merger, consolidation, share exchange or combination of the Company pursuant to which the Persons that directly or indirectly “beneficially owned” (as defined below) all classes of the Company’s common equity immediately before such transaction directly or indirectly “beneficially own,” immediately after

 

- 3 -


such transaction, more than fifty percent (50%) of all classes of common equity of the surviving, continuing or acquiring company or other transferee, as applicable, or the parent thereof, in substantially the same proportions vis-à-vis each other as immediately before such transaction will be deemed not to be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (B);

(C) the Company’s stockholders approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(D) the Common Stock ceases to be listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors);

provided, however, that a transaction or event described in clause (A) or (B) above will not constitute a Fundamental Change if at least ninety percent (90%) of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of Common Stock (excluding cash payments for fractional shares or pursuant to dissenters rights), in connection with such transaction or event, consists of shares of common stock listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors), or that will be so listed when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or event, and such transaction or event constitutes a Common Stock Change Event whose Reference Property consists of such consideration.

For the purposes of this definition, (x) any transaction or event described in both clause (A) and in clause (B)(i) or (ii) above (without regard to the proviso in clause (B)) will be deemed to occur solely pursuant to clause (B) above (subject to such proviso); and (y) whether a Person is a “beneficial owner,” whether shares are “beneficially owned,” and percentage beneficial ownership, will be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (and, in the case of clause (A) above, in accordance with the proviso to such clause).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” means the date fixed for the repurchase of any Notes by the Company pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change.

Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” means a notice (including a notice substantially in the form of the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” set forth in Exhibit A) containing the information, or otherwise complying with the requirements, set forth in Section 4.02(F)(i) and Section 4.02(F)(ii).

Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” means the cash price payable by the Company to repurchase any Note upon its Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change, calculated pursuant to Section 4.02(D).

Global Note” means a Note that is represented by a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee, and deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary.

 

- 4 -


Global Note Legend” means a legend substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1.

Holder” means a person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as amended by this Supplemental Indenture, and as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes.

Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to a Note, each June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2024 (or commencing on such other date specified in the certificate representing such Note). For the avoidance of doubt, the Maturity Date is an Interest Payment Date.

Issue Date” means December 12, 2023.

Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Stock for any Trading Day means the closing sale price per share (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the last bid price and the last ask price per share or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average last bid prices and the average last ask prices per share) of Common Stock on such Trading Day as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed. If the Common Stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on such Trading Day, then the Last Reported Sale Price will be the last quoted bid price per share of Common Stock on such Trading Day in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Stock is not so quoted on such Trading Day, then the Last Reported Sale Price will be the average of the mid-point of the last bid price and the last ask price per share of Common Stock on such Trading Day from each of at least three (3) nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company, which may include any of the Underwriters. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent will have any duty to determine the Last Reported Sale Price. The Last Reported Sale Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session hours.

Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means a Fundamental Change (determined after giving effect to the proviso immediately after clause (D) of the definition thereof, but without regard to the proviso to clause (B)(ii) of such definition).

Make-Whole Fundamental Change Conversion Period” means, with respect to a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the period from, and including, the effective date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change to, and including, the thirty-fifth (35th) Trading Day after such effective date (or, if such Make-Whole Fundamental Change also constitutes a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change), to, but excluding, the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date).

Market Disruption Event” means, with respect to any date, the occurrence or existence, during the one-half hour period ending at the scheduled close of trading on such date on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange or other market on which the Common Stock is listed for trading or trades, of any material suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.

 

- 5 -


Maturity Date” means December 15, 2026.

Non-Affiliate Legend” means a legend substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B-3.

Note Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

Note Security” means any Note or Conversion Share.

Notes” means the 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 issued by the Company pursuant to the Indenture.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of the Company.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate that is signed on behalf of the Company by one (1) of its Officers and that meets the requirements of Section 11.03.

Open of Business” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.

Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion, from legal counsel (including an employee of, or counsel to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.03, subject to customary qualifications and exclusions.

Person” or “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof. Any division or series of a limited liability company, limited partnership or trust will constitute a separate “person” under the Indenture.

Physical Note” means a Note (other than a Global Note) that is represented by a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, registered in the name of the Holder of such Note and duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee.

Redemption” means the repurchase of any Note by the Company pursuant to Section 4.03.

Redemption Date” means the date fixed, pursuant to Section 4.03(D), for the settlement of the repurchase of any Notes by the Company pursuant to a Redemption.

 

- 6 -


Redemption Notice Date” means, with respect to a Redemption, the date on which the Company sends the Redemption Notice for such Redemption pursuant to Section 4.03(F).

Redemption Price” means the cash price payable by the Company to redeem any Note upon its Redemption, calculated pursuant to Section 4.03(E).

Regular Record Date” has the following meaning with respect to an Interest Payment Date: (A) if such Interest Payment Date occurs on June 15, the immediately preceding June 1; and (B) if such Interest Payment Date occurs on December 15, the immediately preceding December 1.

Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change” means the repurchase of any Note by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02.

Responsible Officer” means (A) any officer within the corporate trust group of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of such officers; and (B) with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of, and familiarity with, the particular subject, and who, in each case, has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule thereto), as the same may be amended from time to time.

Scheduled Trading Day” means any day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then traded. If the Common Stock is not so listed or traded, then “Scheduled Trading Day” means a Business Day.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Significant Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that constitutes a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act) of such Person; provided, however, that, (A) if a Subsidiary meets the criteria of clause (1)(iii), but not clause (1)(i) or (1)(ii), of the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Rule 1-02(w) (or, if applicable, the respective successor clauses to the aforementioned clauses), then such Subsidiary will be deemed not to be a Significant Subsidiary of that Person unless such Subsidiary’s income from continuing operations before income taxes, exclusive of amounts attributable to any non-controlling interests, for the last completed fiscal year before the date of determination exceeds ten million dollars ($10,000,000); and (B) none of Romeo Power, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Romeo Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or Romeo Systems Technology, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company will be deemed to be a Significant Subsidiary solely in respect of the assets of such corporations included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, provided, that this clause (B) will cease to be of any force or effect from and after January 1, 2024.

 

- 7 -


Special Interest” means any interest that accrues on any Note pursuant to Section 7.03.

Stock Price” has the following meaning for any Make-Whole Fundamental Change: (A) if the holders of Common Stock receive only cash in consideration for their shares of Common Stock in such Make-Whole Fundamental Change and such Make-Whole Fundamental Change is pursuant to clause (B) of the definition of “Fundamental Change,” then the Stock Price is the amount of cash paid per share of Common Stock in such Make-Whole Fundamental Change; and (B) in all other cases, the Stock Price is the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the effective date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (A) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, but after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees, as applicable, of such corporation, association or other business entity is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person; and (B) any partnership or limited liability company where (i) more than fifty percent (50%) of the capital accounts, distribution rights, equity and voting interests, or of the general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, of such partnership or limited liability company are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or limited liability company interests or otherwise; and (ii) such Person or any one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person is a controlling general partner of, or otherwise controls, such partnership or limited liability company.

Supplemental Indenture” means this First Supplemental Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Trading Day” means any day on which (A) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is then traded; and (B) there is no Market Disruption Event. If the Common Stock is not so listed or traded, then “Trading Day” means a Business Day.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any Conversion Date, the yield to maturity, as of such Conversion Date, of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity using the I25 active treasury curve as displayed on the Bloomberg page “GC<GO>” (or, if such page is not available, its equivalent successor page) and interpolating the yield to maturity from such Conversion Date to the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if such period is less than one (1) year, then the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one (1) year will be used.

 

- 8 -


Trust Indenture Act” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as such in the first paragraph of this Supplemental Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor.

Underwriters” means BTIG, LLC, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Bryan, Garnier & Co. Limited, Nomura Securities International, Inc. and WR Securities, LLC.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) are owned by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONS.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 
“Additional Shares”      5.07(A)  
“Business Combination Event”      6.01(A)  
“Common Stock Change Event”      5.09(A)  
“Conversion Agent”      2.06(A)  
“Conversion Consideration”      5.03(A)  
“Default Interest”      2.05(B)  
“Defaulted Amount”      2.05(B)  
“Event of Default”      7.01(A)  
“Expiration Date”      5.05(A)(v)  
“Expiration Time”      5.05(A)(v)  
“Fundamental Change Notice”      4.02(E)  
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Right”      4.02(A)  
“Initial Notes”      2.03(A)  
“Paying Agent”      2.06(A)  
“Redemption Notice”      4.03(F)  
“Reference Property”      5.09(A)  
“Reference Property Unit”      5.09(A)  
“Register”      2.06(B)  
“Registrar”      2.06(A)  
“Reporting Event of Default”      7.03(A)  
“Specified Courts”      11.07  
“Spin-Off”      5.05(A)(iii)(2)  
“Spin-Off Valuation Period”      5.05(A)(iii)(2)  
“Stated Interest”      2.05(A)  
“Successor Entity”      6.01(A)  
“Successor Person”      5.09(A)  
“Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period”      5.05(A)(v)  

 

- 9 -


Section 1.03. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

For purposes of the Indenture:

(A) “or” is not exclusive;

(B) “including” means “including without limitation”;

(C) “will” expresses a command;

(D) the “average” of a set of numerical values refers to the arithmetic average of such numerical values;

(E) a merger involving, or a transfer of assets by, a limited liability company, limited partnership or trust will be deemed to include any division of or by, or an allocation of assets to a series of, such limited liability company, limited partnership or trust, or any unwinding of any such division or allocation;

(F) words in the singular include the plural and in the plural include the singular, unless the context requires otherwise;

(G) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision of this Supplemental Indenture, unless the context requires otherwise;

(H) each Article, Section, clause or paragraph reference in this Supplemental Indenture that is in bolded typeface refers to the referenced Article, Section, clause or paragraph, as applicable, of this Supplemental Indenture;

(I) references to currency mean the lawful currency of the United States of America, unless the context requires otherwise;

(J) the exhibits, schedules and other attachments to this Supplemental Indenture are deemed to form part of the Indenture; and

(K) the term “interest,” when used with respect to a Note, includes any Default Interest and Special Interest, unless the context requires otherwise.

For purposes of the Indenture, the following terms of the Trust Indenture Act have the following meanings:

(i) “Commission” means the SEC;

(ii) “indenture securities” means the Notes;

(iii) “indenture security holder” means a Holder;

 

- 10 -


(iv) “indenture to be qualified” means the Indenture;

(v) “indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

(vi) “obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company.

All other terms used in the Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act (including by reference to another statute) or the related rules of the SEC, and not defined in the Indenture, have the respective meanings so defined by the Trust Indenture Act or such rules.

Section 1.04. INTERPRETATION; SCOPE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE; SUPERSESSION OF BASE INDENTURE.

(A) Generally. The amendments to the Base Indenture made by this Supplemental Indenture will apply solely with respect to the Notes and not with respect to any other class or series of Securities. For purposes of the Notes, if any provision of this Supplemental Indenture conflicts with any provision of the Base Indenture, then this Supplemental Indenture will control to the extent of such conflict.

(B) Applicability of Base Indenture. Without limiting Section 1.04(A), for purposes of the Notes:

(i) Section 312 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes;

(ii) Sections 402, 403 and 404 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes;

(iii) Sections 302 and 311 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.01 and Section 2.10 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(iv) Section 303 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.02(A) and Section 2.02(B) of this Supplemental Indenture;

(v) Section 1001 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.04;

(vi) Section 1002 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.06 and Section 2.07 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(vii) Section 701 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.08 of this Supplemental Indenture

(viii) Section 305 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.10 and Section 2.11 of this Supplemental Indenture;

 

- 11 -


(ix) Section 306 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.12 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(x) Section 309 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.14 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xi) Section 304 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.16 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xii) The definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.17 and Section 2.15 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xiii) Section 310 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.05(A) of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xiv) Section 307(b) of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.05(B) of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xv) Section 704 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 3.02 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xvi) Section 1004 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 3.03 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xvii) Section 515 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 3.04 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xviii) Article 12 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 4.02 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xix) Article 11 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 4.03 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xx) Article 8 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Article 6 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxi) Article 5 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Article 7;

(xxii) Article 9 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Article 8 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxiii) Sections 401, 405 and 406 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Article 9 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxiv) Article 6 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Article 10 of this Supplemental Indenture;

 

- 12 -


(xxv) Sections 105 and 106 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.01 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxvi) Sections 102 and 103 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.02 and Section 11.03 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxvii) Section 114 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.04 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxviii) Section 115 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.05 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxix) Section 112 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.06 of this Supplemental Indenture;

(xxx) Section 110 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 11.13 of this Supplemental Indenture; and

(xxxi) Section 113 of the Base Indenture will not apply to the Notes and will instead be deemed to be replaced with Section 2.05(C) of this Supplemental Indenture.

Each reference in the Base Indenture to any Articles or Sections (or part of any Articles or Sections) of the Base Indenture referred to in the preceding clauses of this Section 1.04(B) will, for purposes of the Notes, be deemed instead to be a reference to the respective Articles and Sections (or corresponding part of the respective Articles or Sections) referred to in the preceding clauses of this Section 1.04(B).

Article 2. THE NOTES

Section 2.01. FORM, DATING AND DENOMINATIONS.

The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A. The Notes will bear the legends required by Section 2.09 and may bear notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage or the Depositary. Each Note will be dated as of the date of its authentication.

Except to the extent otherwise provided in a Company Order delivered to the Trustee in connection with the issuance and authentication thereof, the Notes will be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes. Global Notes may be exchanged for Physical Notes, and Physical Notes may be exchanged for Global Notes, only as provided in Section 2.10.

The Notes will be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in Authorized Denominations.

Each certificate representing a Note will bear a unique registration number that is not affixed to any other certificate representing another outstanding Note.

 

- 13 -


The terms contained in the Notes constitute part of the Indenture, and, to the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, agree to such terms and to be bound thereby; provided, however, that, to the extent that any provision of any Note conflicts with the provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture will control for purposes of the Indenture and such Note.

Section 2.02. EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY.

(A) Due Execution by the Company. At least one (1) duly authorized Officer will sign the Notes on behalf of the Company by manual, facsimile or other electronic signature. A Note’s validity will not be affected by the failure of any Officer whose signature is on any Note to hold, at the time such Note is authenticated, the same or any other office at the Company.

(B) Authentication by the Trustee and Delivery.

(i) No Note will be valid until it is authenticated by the Trustee. A Note will be deemed to be duly authenticated only when an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or a duly appointed authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication of such Note.

(ii) The Trustee will cause an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or a duly appointed authenticating agent) to manually sign the certificate of authentication of a Note only if (1) the Company delivers such Note to the Trustee; (2) such Note is executed by the Company in accordance with Section 2.02(A); and (3) the Company delivers a Company Order to the Trustee that (a) requests the Trustee to authenticate such Note; and (b) sets forth the name of the Holder of such Note and the date as of which such Note is to be authenticated. If such Company Order also requests the Trustee to deliver such Note to any Holder or to the Depositary, then the Trustee will promptly deliver such Note in accordance with such Company Order.

(iii) The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. A duly appointed authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so under the Indenture, and a Note authenticated as provided in the Indenture by such an agent will be deemed, for purposes of the Indenture, to be authenticated by the Trustee. Each duly appointed authenticating agent will have the same rights to deal with the Company as the Trustee would have if it were performing the duties that the authenticating agent was validly appointed to undertake.

Section 2.03. INITIAL NOTES AND ADDITIONAL NOTES.

(A) Initial Notes. On the Issue Date, there will be originally issued one hundred and seventy-five million dollars ($175,000,000) aggregate principal amount of Notes, subject to the provisions of the Indenture (including Section 2.02). Notes issued pursuant to this Section 2.03(A), and any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, are referred to in the Indenture as the “Initial Notes.”

 

- 14 -


(B) Additional Notes. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company may, subject to the provisions of the Indenture (including Section 2.02), originally issue additional Notes with the same terms as the Initial Notes (except, to the extent applicable, with respect to the date as of which interest begins to accrue on such additional Notes and the first Interest Payment Date of such additional Notes), which additional Notes will, subject to the foregoing, be considered to be part of the same series of, and rank equally and ratably with all other, Notes issued under the Indenture; provided, however, that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with other Notes issued under the Indenture for purposes of federal income tax or federal securities laws or, if applicable, the Depositary Procedures, then such additional Notes will be identified by one or more separate CUSIP numbers or by no CUSIP number.

Section 2.04. METHOD OF PAYMENT.

(A) Global Notes. The Company will pay, or cause the Paying Agent to pay, the principal (whether due upon maturity on the Maturity Date, Redemption on a Redemption Date or repurchase on a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or otherwise) of, interest on, and any cash Conversion Consideration for, any Global Note to the Depositary by wire transfer of immediately available funds no later than the time the same is due as provided in the Indenture.

(B) Physical Notes. The Company will pay, or cause the Paying Agent to pay, the principal (whether due upon maturity on the Maturity Date, Redemption on a Redemption Date or repurchase on a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or otherwise) of, interest on, and any cash Conversion Consideration for, any Physical Note no later than the time the same is due as provided in the Indenture as follows: (i) if the principal amount of such Physical Note is at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) (or such lower amount as the Company may choose in its sole and absolute discretion) and the Holder of such Physical Note entitled to such payment has delivered to the Paying Agent or the Trustee, no later than the time set forth in the immediately following sentence, a written request that the Company make such payment by wire transfer to an account of such Holder within the United States, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account; and (ii) in all other cases, by check mailed to the address of the Holder of such Physical Note entitled to such payment as set forth in the Register. To be timely, such written request must be so delivered no later than the Close of Business on the following date: (x) with respect to the payment of any interest due on an Interest Payment Date, the immediately preceding Regular Record Date; (y) with respect to any cash Conversion Consideration, the relevant Conversion Date; and (z) with respect to any other payment, the date that is fifteen (15) calendar days immediately before the date such payment is due.

Section 2.05. ACCRUAL OF INTEREST; DEFAULTED AMOUNTS; WHEN PAYMENT DATE IS NOT A BUSINESS DAY.

(A) Accrual of Interest. Each Note will accrue interest at a rate per annum equal to 8.25% (the “Stated Interest”), plus any Special Interest that may accrue pursuant to Section 7.03. Stated Interest on each Note will (i) accrue from, and including, the most recent date to which Stated Interest has been paid or duly provided for (or, if no Stated Interest has theretofore been paid or duly provided for, the date set forth in the certificate representing such Note as the date from, and including, which Stated Interest will begin to accrue in such circumstance) to, but excluding, the date of payment of such Stated Interest; and (ii) be, subject to Sections 4.02(D),

 

- 15 -


4.03(E) and 5.02(D) (but without duplication of any payment of interest), payable semi-annually in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, beginning on the first Interest Payment Date set forth in the certificate representing such Note, to the Holder of such Note as of the Close of Business on the immediately preceding Regular Record Date. Stated Interest, and, if applicable, Special Interest, on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(B) Defaulted Amounts. If the Company fails to pay any amount (a “Defaulted Amount”) payable on a Note on or before the due date therefor as provided in the Indenture, then, regardless of whether such failure constitutes an Event of Default, (i) such Defaulted Amount will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder of such Note otherwise entitled to such payment; (ii) to the extent lawful, interest (“Default Interest”) will accrue on such Defaulted Amount at a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum at which Stated Interest accrues, from, and including, such due date to, but excluding, the date of payment of such Defaulted Amount and Default Interest; (iii) such Defaulted Amount and Default Interest will be paid on a payment date selected by the Company to the Holder of such Note as of the Close of Business on a special record date selected by the Company, provided that such special record date must be no more than fifteen (15), nor less than ten (10), calendar days before such payment date; and (iv) at least fifteen (15) calendar days before such special record date, the Company will send notice to the Trustee and the Holders that states such special record date, such payment date and the amount of such Defaulted Amount and Default Interest to be paid on such payment date.

(C) Delay of Payment when Payment Date is Not a Business Day. If the due date for a payment on a Note as provided in the Indenture is not a Business Day, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, such payment may be made on the immediately following Business Day and no interest will accrue on such payment as a result of the related delay. Solely for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a day on which the applicable place of payment is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed will be deemed not to be a “Business Day.”

Section 2.06. REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT.

(A) Generally. The Company will maintain (i) an office or agency in the continental United States where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”); (ii) an office or agency in the continental United States where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”); and (iii) an office or agency in the continental United States where Notes may be presented for conversion (the “Conversion Agent”). If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, then the Trustee will act as such and will receive compensation therefor in accordance with this Indenture and any other agreement between the Trustee and the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.06(A), each of the Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent with respect to any Global Note must at all times be a Person that is eligible to act in that capacity under the Depositary Procedures.

 

- 16 -


(B) Duties of the Registrar. The Registrar will keep a record (the “Register”) of the names and addresses of the Holders, the Notes held by each Holder and the transfer, exchange, repurchase, Redemption and conversion of Notes. Absent manifest error, the entries in the Register will be conclusive and the Company and the Trustee may treat each Person whose name is recorded as a Holder in the Register as a Holder for all purposes. The Register will be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form reasonably promptly.

(C) Co-Agents; Company’s Right to Appoint Successor Registrars, Paying Agents and Conversion Agents. The Company may appoint one or more co-Registrars, co-Paying Agents and co-Conversion Agents, each of whom will be deemed to be a Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, as applicable, under the Indenture. Subject to Section 2.06(A), the Company may change any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent (including appointing itself or any of its Subsidiaries to act in such capacity) without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee (and, upon request, any Holder) of the name and address of each Note Agent, if any, not a party to the Indenture and will enter into an appropriate agency agreement with each such Note Agent, which agreement will implement the provisions of the Indenture that relate to such Note Agent.

(D) Initial Appointments. The Company appoints the Trustee as the initial Paying Agent, the initial Registrar and the initial Conversion Agent and designates the Corporate Trust Offices of the Trustee in the United States as the offices for the same.

Section 2.07. PAYING AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT TO HOLD PROPERTY IN TRUST.

The Company will require each Paying Agent or Conversion Agent that is not the Trustee to agree in writing that such Note Agent will (A) hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money and other property held by such Note Agent for payment or delivery due on the Notes; and (B) notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment or delivery. The Company, at any time, may, and the Trustee, while any Default continues, may, require a Paying Agent or Conversion Agent to pay or deliver, as applicable, all money and other property held by it to the Trustee, after which payment or delivery, as applicable, such Note Agent (if not the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) will have no further liability for such money or property. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, then (A) it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money and other property held by it as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent; and (B) references in the Indenture or the Notes to the Paying Agent or Conversion Agent holding cash or other property, or to the delivery of cash or other property to the Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, in each case for payment or delivery to any Holders or the Trustee or with respect to the Notes, will be deemed to refer to cash or other property so segregated and held separately, or to the segregation and separate holding of such cash or other property, respectively. Upon the occurrence of any event pursuant to clause (ix) or (x) of Section 7.01(A) with respect to the Company (or with respect to any Subsidiary of the Company acting as Paying Agent or Conversion Agent), the Trustee will serve as the Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, as applicable, for the Notes.

Section 2.08. HOLDER LISTS.

If the Trustee is not the Registrar, then the Company will furnish to the Trustee, no later than seven (7) Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may request, a list, in such form and as of such date or time as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders.

 

- 17 -


Section 2.09. LEGENDS.

(A) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear the Global Note Legend (or any similar legend, not inconsistent with the Indenture, required by the Depositary for such Global Note).

(B) Contingent Payment Debt Instrument Legend. Each Note will bear the Contingent Payment Debt Instrument Legend.

(C) Non-Affiliate Legend. Each Note will bear the Non-Affiliate Legend.

(D) Other Legends. A Note may bear any other legend or text, not inconsistent with the Indenture, as may be required by applicable law or by any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such Note is traded or quoted.

(E) Acknowledgment and Agreement by the Holders. A Holder’s acceptance of any Note bearing any legend required by this Section 2.09 will constitute such Holder’s acknowledgment of, and agreement to comply with, the restrictions set forth in such legend.

Section 2.10. TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES; CERTAIN TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

(A) Provisions Applicable to All Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) Generally. Subject to this Section 2.10, Physical Notes and beneficial interests in Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged from time to time and the Registrar will record each such transfer or exchange in the Register.

(ii) Transferred and Exchanged Notes Remain Valid Obligations of the Company. Each Note issued upon transfer or exchange of any other Note (such other Note being referred to as the “old Note” for purposes of this Section 2.10(A)(ii)) or portion thereof in accordance with the Indenture will be the valid obligation of the Company, evidencing the same indebtedness, and entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture, as such old Note or portion thereof, as applicable.

(iii) No Services Charge; Transfer Taxes. The Company, the Trustee and the Note Agents will not impose any service charge on any Holder for any transfer, exchange or conversion of Notes, but the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and the Conversion Agent may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, exchange or conversion of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, 2.16 or 8.05 not involving any transfer.

(iv) Transfers and Exchanges Must Be in Authorized Denominations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, a Note may not be transferred or exchanged in part unless the portion to be so transferred or exchanged is in an Authorized Denomination.

 

- 18 -


(v) Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee will have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any transfer restrictions imposed under the Indenture or applicable law with respect to any Note Security, other than to require the delivery of such certificates or other documentation or evidence as expressly required by the Indenture and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the requirements of the Indenture.

(vi) Legends. Each Note issued upon transfer of, or in exchange for, another Note will bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09.

(vii) Settlement of Transfers and Exchanges. Upon satisfaction of the requirements of the Indenture to effect a transfer or exchange of any Note, the Company will cause such transfer or exchange to be effected as soon as reasonably practicable but in no event later than the second (2nd) Business Day after the date of such satisfaction.

(B) Transfers and Exchanges of Global Notes.

(i) Certain Restrictions. Subject to the immediately following sentence, no Global Note may be transferred or exchanged in whole except (x) by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary; (y) by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary; or (z) by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. No Global Note (or any portion thereof) may be transferred to, or exchanged for, a Physical Note; provided, however, that a Global Note will be exchanged, pursuant to customary procedures, for one or more Physical Notes if:

(1) (x) the Depositary notifies the Company or the Trustee that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such Global Note or (y) the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act and, in each case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depositary within ninety (90) days of such notice or cessation;

(2) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar has received a written request from the Depositary, or from a holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, to exchange such Global Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, for one or more Physical Notes; or

(3) the Company, in its sole discretion, permits the exchange of any beneficial interest in such Global Note for one or more Physical Notes at the request of the owner of such beneficial interest.

 

- 19 -


(ii) Effecting Transfers and Exchanges. Upon satisfaction of the requirements of the Indenture to effect a transfer or exchange of any Global Note (or any portion thereof):

(1) the Trustee will reflect any resulting decrease of the principal amount of such Global Note by notation on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” forming part of such Global Note (and, if such notation results in such Global Note having a principal amount of zero, then the Company may (but is not required to) instruct the Trustee to cancel such Global Note pursuant to Section 2.14);

(2) if required to effect such transfer or exchange, then the Trustee will reflect any resulting increase of the principal amount of any other Global Note by notation on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” forming part of such other Global Note;

(3) if required to effect such transfer or exchange, then the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, a new Global Note bearing each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09; and

(4) if such Global Note (or such portion thereof), or any beneficial interest therein, is to be exchanged for one or more Physical Notes, then the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Physical Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note to be so exchanged; (y) are registered in such name(s) as the Depositary specifies (or as otherwise determined pursuant to customary procedures); and (z) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09.

(iii) Compliance with Depositary Procedures. Each transfer or exchange of a beneficial interest in any Global Note will be made in accordance with the Depositary Procedures.

(C) Transfers and Exchanges of Physical Notes.

(i) Requirements for Transfers and Exchanges. Subject to this Section 2.10, a Holder of a Physical Note may (x) transfer such Physical Note (or any portion thereof in an Authorized Denomination) to one or more other Person(s); (y) exchange such Physical Note (or any portion thereof in an Authorized Denomination) for one or more other Physical Notes in Authorized Denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Physical Note (or portion thereof) to be so exchanged; and (z) if then permitted by the Depositary Procedures, transfer such Physical Note (or any portion thereof in an Authorized Denomination) in exchange for a beneficial interest in one or more Global Notes; provided, however, that, to effect any such transfer or exchange, such Holder must surrender such Physical Note to be transferred or exchanged to the office of the Registrar, together with any endorsements or transfer instruments reasonably required by the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar.

 

- 20 -


(ii) Effecting Transfers and Exchanges. Upon the satisfaction of the requirements of the Indenture to effect a transfer or exchange of any Physical Note (such Physical Note being referred to as the “old Physical Note” for purposes of this Section 2.10(C)(ii)) of a Holder (or any portion of such old Physical Note in an Authorized Denomination):

(1) such old Physical Note will be promptly cancelled pursuant to Section 2.14;

(2) if such old Physical Note is to be so transferred or exchanged only in part, then the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Physical Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such old Physical Note not to be so transferred or exchanged; (y) are registered in the name of such Holder; and (z) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09;

(3) in the case of a transfer:

(a) to the Depositary or a nominee thereof that will hold its interest in such old Physical Note (or such portion thereof) to be so transferred in the form of one or more Global Notes, the Trustee will reflect an increase of the principal amount of one or more existing Global Notes by notation on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” forming part of such Global Note(s), which increase(s) are in Authorized Denominations and aggregate to the principal amount to be so transferred, and which Global Note(s) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09; provided, however, that if such transfer cannot be so effected by notation on one or more existing Global Notes (whether because no Global Notes bearing each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09 then exist, because any such increase will result in any Global Note having an aggregate principal amount exceeding the maximum aggregate principal amount permitted by the Depositary or otherwise), then the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Global Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount that is to be so transferred but that is not effected by notation as provided above; and (y) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09; and

(b) to a transferee that will hold its interest in such old Physical Note (or such portion thereof) to be so transferred in the form of one or more Physical Notes, the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Physical Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount to be so transferred; (y) are registered in the name of such transferee; and (z) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09; and

 

- 21 -


(4) in the case of an exchange, the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Physical Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount to be so exchanged; (y) are registered in the name of the Person to whom such old Physical Note was registered; and (z) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09.

(D) Transfers of Notes Subject to Redemption, Repurchase or Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note that (i) has been surrendered for conversion, except to the extent that any portion of such Note is not subject to conversion; (ii) is subject to a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice validly delivered, and not withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.02(F), except to the extent that any portion of such Note is not subject to such notice or the Company fails to pay the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Price when due; or (iii) has been selected for Redemption pursuant to a Redemption Notice, except to the extent that any portion of such Note is not subject to Redemption or the Company fails to pay the applicable Redemption Price when due.

Section 2.11. EXCHANGE AND CANCELLATION OF NOTES TO BE CONVERTED OR TO BE REPURCHASED PURSUANT TO A REPURCHASE UPON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE OR REDEMPTION.

(A) Partial Conversions of Physical Notes and Partial Repurchases of Physical Notes Pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption. If only a portion of a Physical Note of a Holder is to be converted pursuant to Article 5 or repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption, then, as soon as reasonably practicable after such Physical Note is surrendered for such conversion or repurchase, as applicable, the Company will cause such Physical Note to be exchanged, pursuant and subject to Section 2.10(C), for (i) one or more Physical Notes that are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Physical Note that is not to be so converted or repurchased, as applicable, and deliver such Physical Note(s) to such Holder; and (ii) a Physical Note having a principal amount equal to the principal amount to be so converted or repurchased, as applicable, which Physical Note will be converted or repurchased, as applicable, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture; provided, however, that the Physical Note referred to in this clause (ii) need not be issued at any time after which such principal amount subject to such conversion or repurchase, as applicable, is deemed to cease to be outstanding pursuant to Section 2.17.

(B) Cancellation of Notes that Are Converted and Notes that Are Repurchased Pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption.

 

- 22 -


(i) Physical Notes. If a Physical Note (or any portion thereof that has not theretofore been exchanged pursuant to Section 2.11(A)) of a Holder is to be converted pursuant to Article 5 or repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption, then, promptly after the later of the time such Physical Note (or such portion) is deemed to cease to be outstanding pursuant to Section 2.17 and the time such Physical Note is surrendered for such conversion or repurchase, as applicable, (1) such Physical Note will be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.14; and (2) in the case of a partial conversion or repurchase, as applicable, the Company will issue, execute and deliver to such Holder, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, one or more Physical Notes that (x) are in Authorized Denominations and have an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Physical Note that is not to be so converted or repurchased, as applicable; (y) are registered in the name of such Holder; and (z) bear each legend, if any, required by Section 2.09.

(ii) Global Notes. If a Global Note (or any portion thereof) is to be converted pursuant to Article 5 or repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or Redemption, then, promptly after the time such Note (or such portion) is deemed to cease to be outstanding pursuant to Section 2.17, the Trustee will reflect a decrease of the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note to be so converted or repurchased, as applicable, by notation on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” forming part of such Global Note (and, if the principal amount of such Global Note is zero following such notation, cancel such Global Note pursuant to Section 2.14).

Section 2.12. REPLACEMENT NOTES.

If a Holder of any Note claims that such Note has been mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, then the Company will issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, a replacement Note upon surrender to the Trustee of such mutilated Note, or upon delivery to the Trustee of evidence of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company. In the case of a lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note, the Company and the Trustee may require the Holder thereof to provide such security or indemnity that is satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company and the Trustee from any loss that any of them may suffer if such Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its and the Trustee’s expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.12 will be an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of the Indenture equally and ratably with all other Notes issued under the Indenture, whether or not the lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note will at any time be enforceable by anyone.

 

- 23 -


Section 2.13. REGISTERED HOLDERS; CERTAIN RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO GLOBAL NOTES.

Only the Holder of a Note will have rights under the Indenture as the owner of such Note. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Depositary Participants will have no rights as such under the Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or its nominee, or by the Trustee as its custodian, and the Company, the Trustee and the Note Agents, and their respective agents, may treat the Depositary as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever; provided, however, that (A) the Holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Depositary Participants and Persons that hold interests in Notes through Depositary Participants, to take any action that such Holder is entitled to take with respect to such Global Note under the Indenture or the Notes; and (B) the Company and the Trustee, and their respective agents, may give effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary.

Section 2.14. CANCELLATION.

Without limiting the generality of Section 3.06, the Company may at any time deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent will forward to the Trustee each Note duly surrendered to them for transfer, exchange, payment or conversion. The Trustee will promptly cancel all Notes so surrendered to it in accordance with its customary procedures. Without limiting the generality of Section 2.03(B), the Company may not originally issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been cancelled upon transfer, exchange, payment or conversion.

Section 2.15. NOTES HELD BY THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES.

Without limiting the generality of Sections 3.06 and 2.17, in determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates will be deemed not to be outstanding; provided, however, that, for purposes of determining whether the Trustee is protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.16. TEMPORARY NOTES.

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. The Company will promptly prepare, issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Until so exchanged, each temporary Note will in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as definitive Notes.

Section 2.17. OUTSTANDING NOTES.

(A) Generally. The Notes that are outstanding at any time will be deemed to be those Notes that, at such time, have been duly executed and authenticated, excluding those Notes (or portions thereof) that have theretofore been (i) cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation in accordance with Section 2.14; (ii) assigned a principal amount of zero by notation on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” forming part of any a Global Note representing such Note; (iii) paid in full (including upon conversion) in accordance with the Indenture; or (iv) deemed to cease to be outstanding to the extent provided in, and subject to, clause (B), (C) or (D) of this Section 2.17.

 

- 24 -


(B) Replaced Notes. If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.12, then such Note will cease to be outstanding at the time of its replacement, unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof reasonably satisfactory to them that such Note is held by a “bona fide purchaser” under applicable law.

(C) Maturing Notes and Notes Called for Redemption or Subject to Repurchase. If, on a Redemption Date, a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date, the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay the aggregate Redemption Price, Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or principal amount, respectively, together, in each case, with the aggregate interest, in each case due on such date, then (unless there occurs a Default in the payment of any such amount) (i) the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or repurchased, or that mature, on such date will be deemed, as of such date, to cease to be outstanding, except to the extent provided in Section 4.02(D), 4.03(E) or 5.02(D); and (ii) the rights of the Holders of such Notes (or such portions thereof), as such, will terminate with respect to such Notes (or such portions thereof), other than the right to receive the Redemption Price, Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or principal amount, as applicable, of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, such Notes (or such portions thereof), in each case as provided in the Indenture.

(D) Notes to Be Converted. At the Close of Business on the Conversion Date for any Note (or any portion thereof) to be converted, such Note (or such portion) will (unless there occurs a Default in the delivery of the Conversion Consideration or interest due, pursuant to Section 5.03(A) or Section 5.02(D), upon such conversion) be deemed to cease to be outstanding, except to the extent provided in Section 5.02(D) or Section 5.08.

(E) Cessation of Accrual of Interest. Except as provided in Section 4.02(D), 4.03(E) or 5.02(D), interest will cease to accrue on each Note from, and including, the date that such Note is deemed, pursuant to this Section 2.17, to cease to be outstanding, unless there occurs a default in the payment or delivery of any cash or other property due on such Note.

Section 2.18. REPURCHASES BY THE COMPANY.

Without limiting the generality of Sections 2.14 and 3.06, the Company may, from time to time, repurchase Notes in open market purchases or in negotiated transactions without delivering prior notice to Holders.

Section 2.19. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS.

The Company may use one or more CUSIP or ISIN numbers to identify any of the Notes, and, if so, the Company and the Trustee will use such CUSIP or ISIN number(s) in notices to Holders; provided, however, that (i) the Trustee makes no representation as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP or ISIN number; and (ii) the effectiveness of any such notice will not be affected by any defect in, or omission of, any such CUSIP or ISIN number. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN number(s) identifying any Notes.

 

- 25 -


Article 3. COVENANTS

Section 3.01. PAYMENT ON NOTES.

(A) Generally. The Company will pay or cause to be paid all the principal of, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and Redemption Price for, interest on, and other amounts due with respect to, the Notes on the dates and in the manner set forth in the Indenture.

(B) Deposit of Funds. Before 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on each Redemption Date, Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or Interest Payment Date, and on the Maturity Date or any other date on which any cash amount is due on the Notes, the Company will deposit, or will cause there to be deposited, with the Paying Agent cash, in funds immediately available on such date, sufficient to pay the cash amount due on the applicable Notes on such date. The Paying Agent will return to the Company, as soon as practicable, any money not required for such purpose.

Section 3.02. EXCHANGE ACT REPORTS.

(A) Generally. The Company will send to the Trustee copies of all reports that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date that the Company is required to file the same (after giving effect to all applicable grace periods under the Exchange Act); provided, however, that the Company need not send to the Trustee any material for which the Company has received, or is seeking in good faith and has not been denied, confidential treatment by the SEC. Any report that the Company files with the SEC through the EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed to be sent to the Trustee at the time such report is so filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor). Upon the request of any Holder, the Trustee will provide to such Holder a copy of any report that the Company has sent the Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.02(A), other than a report that is deemed to be sent to the Trustee pursuant to the preceding sentence. The Company will also comply with its other obligations under Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(B) Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee need not determine whether the Company has filed any material via the EDGAR system (or such successor). The sending or filing of reports pursuant to Section 3.02(A) will not be deemed to constitute actual or constructive notice to the Trustee of any information contained, or determinable from information contained, therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under the Indenture.

Section 3.03. COMPLIANCE AND DEFAULT CERTIFICATES.

(A) Annual Compliance Certificate. Within ninety (90) days after the last day of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the first such fiscal year ending after the date of this Supplemental Indenture, the Company will deliver an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating (i) that the signatory thereto has supervised a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year with a view towards determining whether any Default or Event of Default has occurred; and (ii) whether, to such signatory’s knowledge, a Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing (and, if so, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

- 26 -


(B) Default Certificate. If a Default or Event of Default occurs, then the Company will promptly deliver an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee describing the same and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 3.04. STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.

To the extent that it may lawfully do so, the Company (A) agrees that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law (wherever or whenever enacted or in force) that may affect the covenants or the performance of the Indenture; and (B) expressly waives all benefits or advantages of any such law and agrees that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power granted to the Trustee by the Indenture, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 3.05. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.

Subject to Article 6, the Company will cause to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(A) its corporate existence in accordance with the organizational documents of the Company; and

(B) the material rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

provided, however, that the Company need not preserve or keep in full force and effect any such license or franchise if the Board of Directors determines that (x) the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (y) the loss thereof is not, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to the Holders.

Section 3.06. ACQUISITION OF NOTES BY THE COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES.

The Company will promptly deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have purchased or otherwise acquired. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent any of its controlled Affiliates from acquiring any Note (or any beneficial interest therein).

Section 3.07. CERTAIN TAX MATTERS.

(A) Tax Treatment. Subject to any applicable administrative or judicial determination, the Company agrees, and each Holder or beneficial owner of any Note, by accepting such Note or beneficial interest in such Note, agrees, to:

(i) treat the Notes as indebtedness of the Company for all U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

- 27 -


(ii) treat the Notes as debt instruments that are subject to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4;

(iii) be bound by the Company’s application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4, including the Company’s determination that the Notes are subject to the “noncontingent bond method” and the Company’s determination of the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule; and

(iv) treat the delivery of Conversion Consideration of a Note upon conversion of such Note as a contingent payment (in an amount equal to the sum of the fair market value of such Conversion Consideration, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4.

(B) Comparable Yield and Projected Payment Schedule. Solely for purposes of applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4 to the Notes:

(i) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company will accrue interest with respect to outstanding Notes as original issue discount according to the “noncontingent bond method,” as set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4(b), using a comparable yield of fourteen and thirty-three hundredths percent (14.33%), compounded semi-annually, and the projected payment schedule determined by the Company;

(ii) the Company will send to the Trustee promptly after the end of each calendar year (1) a notice specifying the amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes accrued on outstanding Notes as of the end of such year; and (2) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount that the Company determines to be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including the amount of any adjustment made under the noncontingent bond method to account for the amount of any difference between the amount of an actual payment and the amount of a projected payment; and

(iii) the Company acknowledges and agrees, and each Holder or beneficial owner of any Note, by accepting such Note or beneficial interest in such Note, acknowledges and agrees, that (x) the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule are not determined for any purpose other than for the purpose of applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4(b)(4) to the Notes; (y) the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule do not constitute a projection or representation regarding the actual amounts payable on the Notes or the value at any time of the Conversion Consideration of the Notes; and (z) the Company’s application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1275-4, including the Company’s determination of the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule, will be binding on each Holder or beneficial owner of any Notes (unless otherwise required by administrative or judicial determination).

(C) Holders’ Right to Receive the Information. The Company will, upon the written request of any Holder, send such Holder the amount of original issue discount, issue price, issue date, comparable yield and projected payment schedule. Any such written request should be sent to the following address: Nikola Corporation, 4141 E Broadway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85040, Attention: Chief Legal Officer.

 

- 28 -


Section 3.08. FURTHER INSTRUMENTS AND ACTS.

At the Trustee’s request, the Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to more effectively carry out the purposes of the Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee will have no duty or obligation to request any such further instruments or acts unless directed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Article 4. REPURCHASE AND REDEMPTION

Section 4.01. NO SINKING FUND.

No sinking fund is required to be provided for the Notes.

Section 4.02. RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO REQUIRE THE COMPANY TO REPURCHASE NOTES UPON A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE.

(A) Right of Holders to Require the Company to Repurchase Notes Upon a Fundamental Change. Subject to the other terms of this Section 4.02, if a Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date, then each Holder will have the right (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Right”), at its option, to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes (or any portion thereof in an Authorized Denomination) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for such Fundamental Change for a cash purchase price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.

(B) Repurchase Prohibited in Certain Circumstances. If the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change (including a rescission resulting from the payment of the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, and any related interest pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.02(D), on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date), then (i) the Company may not repurchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.02; and (ii) the Company will cause any Notes theretofore surrendered for such Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change to be returned to the Holders thereof (or, if applicable with respect to Global Notes, cancel any instructions for book-entry transfer to the Company, the Trustee or the Paying Agent of the applicable beneficial interest in such Notes in accordance with the Depositary Procedures).

(C) Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. The Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for any Fundamental Change will be a Business Day of the Company’s choosing that is no more than thirty-five (35), nor less than twenty (20), Business Days after the date the Company sends the related Fundamental Change Notice pursuant to Section 4.02(E).

 

- 29 -


(D) Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. The Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for any Note to be repurchased upon a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change following a Fundamental Change is an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of such Note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Note to, but excluding, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for such Fundamental Change; provided, however, that if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the next Interest Payment Date, then (i) the Holder of such Note at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date will be entitled, notwithstanding such Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change, to receive, on or, at the Company’s election, before such Interest Payment Date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date (assuming, solely for these purposes, that such Note remained outstanding through such Interest Payment Date, if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date is before such Interest Payment Date); and (ii) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such Note to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if an Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day within the meaning of Section 2.05(C) and such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date occurs on the Business Day immediately after such Interest Payment Date, then (x) accrued and unpaid interest on Notes to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date will be paid, in accordance with Section 2.05(C), on the next Business Day to Holders as of the Close of Business on the immediately preceding Regular Record Date; and (y) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price will include interest on Notes to be repurchased from, and including, such Interest Payment Date.

(E) Fundamental Change Notice. On or before the twentieth (20th) calendar day after the effective date of a Fundamental Change, the Company will send to each Holder, the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the Paying Agent a notice of such Fundamental Change (a “Fundamental Change Notice”).

Such Fundamental Change Notice must state:

(i) briefly, the events causing such Fundamental Change;

(ii) the effective date of such Fundamental Change;

(iii) the procedures that a Holder must follow to require the Company to repurchase its Notes pursuant to this Section 4.02, including the deadline for exercising the Fundamental Change Repurchase Right and the procedures for submitting and withdrawing a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice;

(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for such Fundamental Change;

(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such Fundamental Change (and, if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the next Interest Payment Date, the amount, manner and timing of the interest payment payable pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.02(D));

(vi) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

(vii) the Conversion Rate in effect on the date of such Fundamental Change Notice and a description and quantification of any adjustments to the Conversion Rate that may result from such Fundamental Change (including pursuant to Section 5.07);

 

- 30 -


(viii) that Notes for which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been duly tendered and not duly withdrawn must be delivered to the Paying Agent for the Holder thereof to be entitled to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;

(ix) that Notes (or any portion thereof) that are subject to a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice that has been duly tendered may be converted only if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice is withdrawn in accordance with the Indenture; and

(x) the CUSIP and ISIN numbers, if any, of the Notes.

Neither the failure to deliver a Fundamental Change Notice nor any defect in a Fundamental Change Notice will limit the Fundamental Change Repurchase Right of any Holder or otherwise affect the validity of any proceedings relating to any Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change.

(F) Procedures to Exercise the Fundamental Change Repurchase Right.

(i) Delivery of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and Notes to Be Repurchased. To exercise its Fundamental Change Repurchase Right for a Note following a Fundamental Change, the Holder thereof must deliver to the Paying Agent:

(1) before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately before the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or such later time as may be required by law), a duly completed, written Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to such Note; and

(2) such Note, duly endorsed for transfer (if such Note is a Physical Note) or by book-entry transfer (if such Note is a Global Note).

The Paying Agent will promptly deliver to the Company a copy of each Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice that it receives.

(ii) Contents of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notices. Each Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to a Note must state:

(1) if such Note is a Physical Note, the certificate number of such Note;

(2) the principal amount of such Note to be repurchased, which must be an Authorized Denomination; and

(3) that such Holder is exercising its Fundamental Change Repurchase Right with respect to such principal amount of such Note;

provided, however, that if such Note is a Global Note, then such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with the Depositary Procedures (and any such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice delivered in compliance with the Depositary Procedures will be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 4.02(F)).

 

- 31 -


(iii) Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice. A Holder that has delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to a Note may withdraw such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent at any time before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately before the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. Such withdrawal notice must state:

(1) if such Note is a Physical Note, the certificate number of such Note;

(2) the principal amount of such Note to be withdrawn, which must be an Authorized Denomination; and

(3) the principal amount of such Note, if any, that remains subject to such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which must be an Authorized Denomination;

provided, however, that if such Note is a Global Note, then such withdrawal notice must comply with the Depositary Procedures (and any such withdrawal notice delivered in compliance with the Depositary Procedures will be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section 4.02(F)).

Upon receipt of any such withdrawal notice with respect to a Note (or any portion thereof), the Paying Agent will (x) promptly deliver a copy of such withdrawal notice to the Company; and (y) if such Note is surrendered to the Paying Agent, cause such Note (or such portion thereof in accordance with Section 2.11, treating such Note as having been then surrendered for partial repurchase in the amount set forth in such withdrawal notice as remaining subject to repurchase) to be returned to the Holder thereof (or, if applicable with respect to any Global Note, cancel any instructions for book-entry transfer to the Company, the Trustee or the Paying Agent of the applicable beneficial interest in such Note in accordance with the Depositary Procedures).

(G) Payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Without limiting the Company’s obligation to deposit the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price within the time proscribed by Section 3.01(B), the Company will cause the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for a Note (or portion thereof) to be repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change to be paid to the Holder thereof on or before the later of (i) the applicable Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and (ii) the date (x) such Note is delivered to the Paying Agent (in the case of a Physical Note) or (y) the Depositary Procedures relating to the repurchase, and the delivery to the Paying Agent, of such Holder’s beneficial interest in such Note to be repurchased are complied with (in the case of a Global Note). For the avoidance of doubt, interest payable pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.02(D) on any Note to be repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change must be paid pursuant to such proviso regardless of whether such Note is delivered or such Depositary Procedures are complied with pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 4.02(G).

 

- 32 -


(H) Third Party May Conduct Repurchase Offer In Lieu of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.02, the Company will be deemed to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.02 if (i) one or more third parties conduct any Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change and related offer to repurchase Notes otherwise required by this Section 4.02 in a manner that would have satisfied the requirements of this Section 4.02 if conducted directly by the Company; and (ii) an owner of a beneficial interest in any Note repurchased by such third party or parties will not receive a lesser amount (as a result of taxes, additional expenses or for any other reason) than such owner would have received had the Company repurchased such Note.

(I) No Requirement to Conduct an Offer to Repurchase Notes if the Fundamental Change Results in the Notes Becoming Convertible into an Amount of Cash Exceeding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.02, the Company will not be required to send a Fundamental Change Notice pursuant to Section 4.02(E), or offer to repurchase or repurchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.02, in connection with a Common Stock Change Event that constitutes a Fundamental Change pursuant to clause (B)(ii) of the definition thereof (regardless of whether such Common Stock Change Event also constitutes a Fundamental Change pursuant to any other clause of such definition), if (i) the Reference Property of such Common Stock Change Event consists entirely of cash in U.S. dollars; (ii) immediately after such Fundamental Change, the Notes become convertible, pursuant to Section 5.09(A) and, if applicable, Section 5.07, into consideration that consists solely of U.S. dollars in an amount per $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes that equals or exceeds the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price per $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes (calculated assuming that the same includes accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the latest possible Fundamental Change Repurchase Date for such Fundamental Change); and (iii) the Company timely sends the notice relating to such Common Stock Change Event required pursuant to Section 5.09(B) and includes, in such notice, the information set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (vi), (vii) and (x) of Section 4.02(E) and a statement that the Company is relying on this Section 4.02(I).

(J) Compliance with Applicable Securities Laws. To the extent applicable, the Company will comply, in all material respects, with all federal and state securities laws in connection with a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change (including any tender offer rules under the Exchange Act and filing any required Schedule TO, to the extent applicable) so as to permit effecting such Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change in the manner set forth in the Indenture; provided, however, that, to the extent that the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Section 4.02 conflict with any law or regulation that is applicable to the Company and enacted after the Issue Date, the Company’s compliance with such law or regulation will not be considered to be a Default of such obligations.

(K) Repurchase in Part. Subject to the terms of this Section 4.02, Notes may be repurchased pursuant to a Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change in part, but only in Authorized Denominations. Provisions of this Section 4.02 applying to the repurchase of a Note in whole will equally apply to the repurchase of a permitted portion of a Note.

 

- 33 -


Section 4.03. RIGHT OF THE COMPANY TO REDEEM THE NOTES.

(A) No Right to Redeem Before December 15, 2025. The Company may not redeem the Notes at its option at any time before December 15, 2025.

(B) Right to Redeem the Notes on or After December 15, 2025. Subject to the terms of this Section 4.03, the Company has the right, at its election, to redeem all, or any portion in an Authorized Denomination, of the Notes, at any time, and from time to time, on a Redemption Date on or after December 15, 2025 and before the Maturity Date, for a cash purchase price equal to the Redemption Price, but only if the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock exceeds one hundred and seventy-five percent (175%) of the Conversion Price on each of at least twenty (20) Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the Redemption Notice Date for such Redemption; provided, however, that the Company will not be entitled to call less than all of the outstanding Notes for Redemption unless the excess of the principal amount of Notes outstanding as of the time the Company sends the related Redemption Notice over the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Redemption Notice as being subject to such Redemption is at least one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000).

(C) Redemption Prohibited in Certain Circumstances. If the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or before the Redemption Date (including a rescission resulting from the payment of the related Redemption Price, and any related interest pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.03(E), on such Redemption Date), then (i) the Company may not call for Redemption or otherwise redeem any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.03; and (ii) the Company will cause any Notes theretofore surrendered for such Redemption to be returned to the Holders thereof (or, if applicable with respect to Global Notes, cancel any instructions for book-entry transfer to the Company, the Trustee or the Paying Agent of the applicable beneficial interests in such Notes in accordance with the Depositary Procedures).

(D) Redemption Date. The Redemption Date for any Redemption will be a Business Day of the Company’s choosing that is no more than sixty (60), nor less than thirty (30), calendar days after the Redemption Notice Date for such Redemption.

(E) Redemption Price. The Redemption Price for any Note called for Redemption is an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of such Note plus accrued and unpaid interest on such Note to, but excluding, the Redemption Date for such Redemption; provided, however, that if such Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the next Interest Payment Date, then (i) the Holder of such Note at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date will be entitled, notwithstanding such Redemption, to receive, on or, at the Company’s election, before such Interest Payment Date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date (assuming, solely for these purposes, that such Note remained outstanding through such Interest Payment Date, if such Redemption Date is before such Interest Payment Date); and (ii) the Redemption Price will not include accrued and unpaid interest on such Note to, but excluding, such Redemption Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if an Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day within the meaning of Section 2.05(C) and such Redemption Date occurs on the Business Day immediately after such Interest Payment Date, then (x) accrued and unpaid interest on Notes to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date will be paid, in accordance with Section 2.05(C), on the next Business Day to Holders as of the Close of Business on the immediately preceding Regular Record Date; and (y) the Redemption Price will include interest on Notes to be redeemed from, and including, such Interest Payment Date.

 

- 34 -


(F) Redemption Notice. To call any Notes for Redemption, the Company must send to each Holder of such Notes a written notice of such Redemption (a “Redemption Notice”).

Such Redemption Notice must state:

(i) that such Notes have been called for Redemption, briefly describing the Company’s Redemption right under the Indenture;

(ii) the Redemption Date for such Redemption;

(iii) the Redemption Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such Redemption (and, if the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or before the next Interest Payment Date, the amount, manner and timing of the interest payment payable pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.03(E));

(iv) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

(v) that Notes called for Redemption may be converted at any time before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately before the Redemption Date (or, if the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price due on such Redemption Date in full, at any time until such time as the Company pays such Redemption Price in full);

(vi) the Conversion Rate in effect on the Redemption Notice Date for such Redemption; and

(vii) the CUSIP and ISIN numbers, if any, of the Notes.

On or before the Redemption Notice Date, the Company will send a copy of such Redemption Notice to the Trustee, the Conversion Agent and the Paying Agent.

(G) Selection and Conversion of Notes to Be Redeemed in Part.

(i) If less than all Notes then outstanding are called for Redemption, then the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Company as follows: (1) in the case of Global Notes, in accordance with the Depositary Procedures; and (2) in the case of Physical Notes, pro rata, by lot or by such other method the Company considers fair and appropriate.

(ii) If only a portion of a Note is subject to Redemption and such Note is converted in part, then the converted portion of such Note will be deemed to be from the portion of such Note that was subject to Redemption.

 

- 35 -


(H) Payment of the Redemption Price. Without limiting the Company’s obligation to deposit the Redemption Price by the time proscribed by Section 3.01(B), the Company will cause the Redemption Price for a Note (or portion thereof) subject to Redemption to be paid to the Holder thereof on or before the applicable Redemption Date. For the avoidance of doubt, interest payable pursuant to the proviso to the first sentence of Section 4.03(E) on any Note (or portion thereof) subject to Redemption must be paid pursuant to such proviso.

Article 5. CONVERSION

Section 5.01. RIGHT TO CONVERT.

(A) Generally. Subject to the provisions of this Article 5, each Holder may, at its option, convert such Holder’s Notes into Conversion Consideration.

(B) Conversions in Part. Subject to the terms of the Indenture, Notes may be converted in part, but only in Authorized Denominations. Provisions of this Article 5 applying to the conversion of a Note in whole will equally apply to conversions of a permitted portion of a Note.

(C) When Notes May Be Converted.

(i) Generally. A Holder may convert its Notes at any time until the Close of Business on the second (2nd) Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the Maturity Date.

(ii) Limitations and Closed Periods. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes:

(1) Notes may be surrendered for conversion only after the Open of Business and before the Close of Business on a day that is a Business Day;

(2) in no event may any Note be converted after the Close of Business on the second (2nd) Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the Maturity Date;

(3) if the Company calls any Note for Redemption pursuant to Section 4.03, then the Holder of such Note may not convert such Note after the Close of Business on the second (2nd) Business Day immediately before the applicable Redemption Date, except to the extent the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price for such Note in accordance with the Indenture (in which case, a Holder of Notes may convert such Notes until the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for); and

(4) if a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice is validly delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(F) with respect to any Note, then such Note may not be converted, except to the extent (a) such Note is not subject to such notice; (b) such notice is withdrawn in accordance with Section 4.02(F); or (c) the Company fails to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for such Note in accordance with the Indenture.

 

- 36 -


Section 5.02. CONVERSION PROCEDURES.

(A) Generally.

(i) Global Notes. To convert a beneficial interest in a Global Note, the owner of such beneficial interest must (1) comply with the Depositary Procedures for converting such beneficial interest (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable); and (2) pay any amounts due pursuant to Section 5.02(D) or Section 5.02(E).

(ii) Physical Notes. To convert all or a portion of a Physical Note, the Holder of such Note must (1) complete, manually sign and deliver to the Conversion Agent the conversion notice attached to such Physical Note or a facsimile of such conversion notice; (2) deliver such Physical Note to the Conversion Agent (at which time such conversion will become irrevocable); (3) furnish any endorsements and transfer documents that the Company or the Conversion Agent may require; and (4) pay any amounts due pursuant to Section 5.02(D) or Section 5.02(E).

(B) Effect of Converting a Note. At the Close of Business on the Conversion Date for a Note (or any portion thereof) to be converted, such Note (or such portion) will (unless there occurs a Default in the delivery of the Conversion Consideration or interest due, pursuant to Section 5.03(A) or 5.02(D), upon such conversion) be deemed to cease to be outstanding (and, for the avoidance of doubt, no Person will be deemed to be a Holder of such Note (or such portion thereof) as of the Close of Business on such Conversion Date), except to the extent provided in Section 5.02(D).

(C) Holder of Record of Conversion Shares. The Person in whose name any share of Common Stock is issuable upon conversion of any Note will be deemed to become the holder of record of such share as of the Close of Business on the Conversion Date for such conversion.

(D) Interest Payable Upon Conversion in Certain Circumstances. If the Conversion Date of a Note is after a Regular Record Date and before the next Interest Payment Date, then (i) the Holder of such Note at the Close of Business on such Regular Record Date will be entitled, notwithstanding such conversion (and, for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything set forth in the proviso to this sentence), to receive, on or, at the Company’s election, before such Interest Payment Date, the unpaid interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date (assuming, solely for these purposes, that such Note remained outstanding through such Interest Payment Date); and (ii) the Holder surrendering such Note for conversion must deliver to the Conversion Agent, at the time of such surrender, an amount of cash equal to the amount of such interest referred to in clause (i) above; provided, however, that the Holder surrendering such Note for conversion need not deliver such cash (v) if the Company has specified a Redemption Date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or before the Second (2nd) Business Day immediately after such Interest Payment Date; (w) if such Conversion Date occurs after the Regular Record Date immediately before the Maturity Date; (x) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after such Regular Record Date and on or before the Business Day immediately after such Interest Payment Date; or

 

- 37 -


(y) to the extent of any Special Interest, overdue interest or interest that has accrued on any overdue interest. For the avoidance of doubt, as a result of, and without limiting the generality of, the foregoing, if a Note is converted with a Conversion Date that is after the Regular Record Date immediately before the Maturity Date, or immediately before any Redemption Date or Fundamental Change Repurchase Date referenced in the clause (v) or (x), then the Company will pay, as provided above, the interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Conversion Date of a Note to be converted is on an Interest Payment Date, then the Holder of such Note at the Close of Business on the Regular Record Date immediately before such Interest Payment Date will be entitled to receive, on such Interest Payment Date, the unpaid interest that has accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date, and such Note, when surrendered for conversion, need not be accompanied by any cash amount pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.02(D).

(E) Taxes and Duties. If a Holder converts a Note, the Company will pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax or duty due on the issue or delivery of any shares of Common Stock upon such conversion; provided, however, that if any tax or duty is due because such Holder requested such shares to be registered in a name other than such Holder’s name, then such Holder will pay such tax or duty and, until having received a sum sufficient to pay such tax or duty, the Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver any such shares to be issued in a name other than that of such Holder.

(F) Conversion Agent to Notify Company of Conversions. If any Note is submitted for conversion to the Conversion Agent or the Conversion Agent receives any notice of conversion with respect to a Note, then the Conversion Agent will promptly (and, in any event, no later than the date the Conversion Agent receives such Note or notice) notify the Company and the Trustee of such occurrence, together with any other information reasonably requested by the Company, and will cooperate with the Company to determine the Conversion Date for such Note.

Section 5.03. SETTLEMENT UPON CONVERSION.

(A) Conversion Consideration.

(i) Generally. Subject to Sections 5.03(A)(ii) and 5.03(A)(iii), the type and amount of consideration (the “Conversion Consideration”) due in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of a Note to be converted will be (1) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date for such conversion; and (2) a cash amount equal to the Coupon Make-Whole Premium in respect of such $1,000 principal amount.

(ii) Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. If the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable pursuant to Section 5.03(A)(i) upon conversion of any Note is not a whole number, then such number will be rounded down to the nearest whole number and the Company will deliver, in addition to the other consideration due upon such conversion, cash in lieu of the related fractional share in an amount equal to the product of (1) such fraction and (2) the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock on the Conversion Date for such conversion (or, if such Conversion Date is not a Trading Day, the immediately preceding Trading Day).

 

- 38 -


(iii) Conversion of Multiple Notes by a Single Holder. If a Holder converts more than one (1) Note on a single Conversion Date, then the Conversion Consideration due in respect of such conversion will (in the case of any Global Note, to the extent permitted by, and practicable under, the Depositary Procedures) be computed based on the total principal amount of Notes converted on such Conversion Date by such Holder.

(B) Delivery of the Conversion Consideration. Except as set forth in Section 5.05(D), the Company will pay or deliver, as applicable, the Conversion Consideration due in respect of the conversion of any Note to the Holder on or before the second (2nd) Business Day immediately after the Conversion Date for such conversion.

(C) Deemed Payment of Principal and Interest; Settlement of Accrued Interest Notwithstanding Conversion. If a Holder converts a Note, then the Company will not adjust the Conversion Rate to account for any accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, and, except as provided in Section 5.02(D) (and without limiting the Company’s obligation to pay any Coupon Make-Whole Premium), the Company’s delivery of the Conversion Consideration due in respect of such conversion will be deemed to fully satisfy and discharge the Company’s obligation to pay the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, such Note to, but excluding the Conversion Date. As a result, except as provided in Section 5.02(D), any accrued and unpaid interest on a converted Note will be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited.

Section 5.04. RESERVE AND STATUS OF COMMON STOCK ISSUED UPON CONVERSION.

(A) Stock Reserve. At all times when any Notes are outstanding, the Company will reserve (out of its authorized and not outstanding shares of Common Stock that are not reserved for other purposes) a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to permit the conversion of all then-outstanding Notes, assuming the Conversion Rate is increased by the maximum amount pursuant to which the Conversion Rate may be increased pursuant to Section 5.07. To the extent the Company delivers shares of Common Stock held in its treasury in settlement of the conversion of any Notes, each reference in the Indenture or the Notes to the issuance of shares of Common Stock in connection therewith will be deemed to include such delivery, mutatis mutandis.

(B) Status of Conversion Shares; Listing. Each Conversion Share delivered upon conversion of any Note will be a newly issued or treasury share (except that any Conversion Share delivered by a designated financial institution pursuant to Section 5.08 need not be a newly issued or treasury share) and will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, free from preemptive rights and free of any lien or adverse claim (except to the extent of any lien or adverse claim created by the action or inaction of the Holder of such Note or the Person to whom such Conversion Share will be delivered). If the Common Stock is then listed on any securities exchange, or quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system, then the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Conversion Share, when delivered upon conversion of any Note, to be admitted for listing on such exchange or quotation on such system.

 

- 39 -


Section 5.05. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CONVERSION RATE.

(A) Events Requiring an Adjustment to the Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate will be adjusted from time to time as follows:

(i) Stock Dividends, Splits and Combinations. If the Company issues solely shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on all or substantially all shares of the Common Stock, or if the Company effects a stock split or a stock combination of the Common Stock (in each case excluding an issuance solely pursuant to a Common Stock Change Event, as to which Section 5.09 will apply), then the Conversion Rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

           CR0   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately before the Open of Business on the effective date of such stock split or stock combination, as applicable;
  CR1   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date, as applicable;
  OS0   =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date, as applicable, without giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination; and
  OS1   =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination, as applicable.

If any dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination of the type described in this Section 5.05(A)(i) is declared or announced, but not so paid or made, then the Conversion Rate will be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution or to effect such stock split or stock combination, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had such dividend, distribution, stock split or stock combination not been declared or announced.

(ii) Rights, Options and Warrants. If the Company distributes, to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, rights, options or warrants (other than rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, as to which Sections 5.05(A)(iii)(1) and 5.05(F) will apply) entitling such holders, for a period of not more than sixty (60) calendar days after the record date of such distribution, to subscribe for or

 

- 40 -


purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the date such distribution is announced, then the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

        

 

CR0

  =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;
 

CR1

  =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
 

OS

  =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
 

X

  =    the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and
 

Y

  =    a number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants by (y) the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the date such distribution is announced.

To the extent such rights, options or warrants are not so distributed, the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the Conversion Rate for such distribution been made on the basis of only the rights, options or warrants, if any, actually distributed. In addition, to the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants (including as a result of such rights, options or warrants not being exercised), the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase to the Conversion Rate for such distribution been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants.

For purposes of this Section 5.05(A)(ii), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before the date the distribution of such rights, options or warrants is announced, and in determining the aggregate price payable

 

- 41 -


to exercise such rights, options or warrants, there will be taken into account any consideration the Company receives for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if not cash, to be determined by the Company in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

(iii) Spin-Offs and Other Distributed Property.

(1) Distributions Other than Spin-Offs. If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness or other assets or property of the Company, or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock of the Company or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding:

(u) dividends, distributions, rights, options or warrants for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required (or would be required without regard to Section 5.05(C)) pursuant to Section 5.05(A)(i) or 5.05(A)(ii);

(v) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required (or would be required without regard to Section 5.05(C)) pursuant to Section 5.05(A)(iv);

(w) rights issued or otherwise distributed pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, except to the extent provided in Section 5.05(F);

(x) Spin-Offs for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required (or would be required without regard to Section 5.05(C)) pursuant to Section 5.05(A)(iii)(2);

(y) a distribution solely pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock, as to which Section 5.05(A)(v) will apply; and

(z) a distribution solely pursuant to a Common Stock Change Event, as to which Section 5.09 will apply,

then the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

                   CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution;

 

- 42 -


                     CR1    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
  SP    =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately before such Ex-Dividend Date; and
  FMV    =    the fair market value (as determined by the Company in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner), as of such Ex-Dividend Date, of the shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property, or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities distributed per share of Common Stock pursuant to such distribution;

provided, however, that if FMV is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the Conversion Rate, each Holder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held by such Holder on the record date for such distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of Common Stock, the amount and kind of shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets, property, rights, options or warrants that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on such record date.

To the extent such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(2) Spin-Offs. If the Company distributes or dividends shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interests, of or relating to an Affiliate, a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock (other than solely pursuant to (x) a Common Stock Change Event, as to which Section 5.09 will apply; or (y) a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock, as to which Section 5.05(A)(v) will apply), and such Capital Stock or equity interests are listed or quoted (or will be listed or quoted upon the consummation of the transaction) on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), then the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

                     CR0   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Spin-Off Valuation Period for such Spin-Off;

 

- 43 -


                     CR1   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Spin-Off Valuation Period;
  FMV   =    the product of (x) the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share or unit of the Capital Stock or equity interests distributed in such Spin-Off over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period (the “Spin-Off Valuation Period”) beginning on, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off (such average to be determined as if references to Common Stock in the definitions of Last Reported Sale Price, Trading Day and Market Disruption Event were instead references to such Capital Stock or equity interests); and (y) the number of shares or units of such Capital Stock or equity interests distributed per share of Common Stock in such Spin-Off; and
  SP   =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for each Trading Day in the Spin-Off Valuation Period.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.05(A)(iii)(2), if the Conversion Date for a Note to be converted occurs during the Spin-Off Valuation Period for such Spin-Off, then, solely for purposes of determining the Conversion Consideration for such conversion, such Spin-Off Valuation Period will be deemed to consist of the Trading Days occurring in the period from, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date for such Spin-Off to, and including, such Conversion Date.

To the extent any dividend or distribution of the type set forth in this Section 5.05(A)(iii)(2) is declared but not so made or paid, the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(iv) Cash Dividends or Distributions. If the Company, directly or indirectly, makes any cash dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, then the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

           CR0    =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Open of Business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution;

 

- 44 -


           CR1   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Open of Business on such Ex-Dividend Date;
  SP   =    the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately before such Ex-Dividend Date; and
  D   =    the cash amount distributed per share of Common Stock in such dividend or distribution;

provided, however, that if D is equal to or greater than SP, then, in lieu of the foregoing adjustment to the Conversion Rate, each Holder will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes held by such Holder on the record date for such dividend or distribution, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, on such record date, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on such record date.

To the extent such dividend or distribution is declared but not made or paid, the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the dividend or distribution, if any, actually made or paid.

(v) Tender Offers or Exchange Offers. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock that is subject to the then applicable tender offer rules under the Exchange Act (other than solely pursuant to an odd-lot tender offer pursuant to Rule 13e-4(h)(5) under the Exchange Act), and the value (determined as of the Expiration Time by the Company in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of the cash and other consideration paid per share of Common Stock in such tender or exchange offer exceeds the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately after the last date (the “Expiration Date”) on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended), then the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

 

LOGO

where:

 

           CR0   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period for such tender or exchange offer;
  CR1   =    the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Close of Business on the last Trading Day of the Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period;

 

- 45 -


           AC   =    the aggregate value (determined as of the time (the “Expiration Time”) such tender or exchange offer expires by the Company in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) of all cash and other consideration paid for shares of Common Stock purchased or exchanged in such tender or exchange offer;
  OS0   =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately before the Expiration Time (including all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer);
  OS1   =    the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Expiration Time (excluding all shares of Common Stock accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and
  SP   =    the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the ten (10) consecutive Trading Day period (the “Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period”) beginning on, and including, the Trading Day immediately after the Expiration Date;

provided, however, that the Conversion Rate will in no event be adjusted down pursuant to this Section 5.05(A)(v), except to the extent provided in the immediately following paragraph. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.05(A)(v), if the Conversion Date for a Note to be converted occurs during the Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period for such tender or exchange offer, then, solely for purposes of determining the Conversion Consideration for such conversion, such Tender/Exchange Offer Valuation Period will be deemed to consist of the Trading Days occurring in the period from, and including, the Trading Day immediately after the Expiration Date to, and including, such Conversion Date.

To the extent such tender or exchange offer is announced but not consummated (including as a result of the Company being precluded from consummating such tender or exchange offer under applicable law), or any purchases or exchanges of shares of Common Stock in such tender or exchange offer are rescinded, the Conversion Rate will be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of only the purchases or exchanges of shares of Common Stock, if any, actually made, and not rescinded, in such tender or exchange offer.

(B) No Adjustments in Certain Cases.

(i) Where Holders Participate in the Transaction or Event Without Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 5.05(A), the Company will not be obligated to adjust the Conversion Rate on account of a transaction or other event otherwise requiring an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.05(A) (other than a stock split or combination of the type set forth in Section 5.05(A)(i) or a tender or exchange offer of the type set forth in Section 5.05(A)(v)) if each Holder participates, at the same time and on the same terms as holders of Common Stock, and solely by virtue of being a Holder of Notes, in such transaction or event without having to convert such Holder’s

 

- 46 -


Notes and as if such Holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the Conversion Rate in effect on the related record date; and (ii) the aggregate principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder on such date.

(ii) Certain Events. The Company will not be required to adjust the Conversion Rate except as provided in Section 5.05 or Section 5.07. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will not be obligated to adjust the Conversion Rate on account of:

(1) except as otherwise provided in Section 5.05, the sale of shares of Common Stock for a purchase price that is less than the market price per share of Common Stock or less than the Conversion Price;

(2) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any such plan;

(3) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit or incentive plan or program (including pursuant to any evergreen plan) of, or assumed by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(4) the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right or convertible or exchangeable security of the Company outstanding as of the Issue Date;

(5) solely a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or

(6) accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes.

(C) Adjustment Deferral. If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate otherwise required by this Article 5 would result in a change of less than one percent (1%) to the Conversion Rate, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5, the Company may, at its election, defer and carry forward such adjustment, except that all such deferred adjustments must be given effect immediately upon the earliest of the following: (i) when all such deferred adjustments would, had they not been so deferred and carried forward, result in a change of at least one percent (1%) to the Conversion Rate; (ii) the Conversion Date of any Note; (iii) the date a Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs; (iv) the date the Company calls any Notes for Redemption; and (v) June 15, 2026, in each case, except to the extent such adjustments have already been given effect.

(D) Adjustments Not Yet Effective. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, if:

(i) a Note is to be converted;

 

- 47 -


(ii) the record date, effective date or Expiration Time for any event that requires an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.05(A) has occurred on or before the Conversion Date for such conversion, but an adjustment to the Conversion Rate for such event has not yet become effective as of such Conversion Date;

(iii) the Conversion Consideration due upon such conversion includes any whole shares of Common Stock; and

(iv) such shares are not entitled to participate in such event (because they were not held on the related record date or otherwise),

then, solely for purposes of such conversion, the Company will, without duplication, give effect to such adjustment on such Conversion Date. In such case, if the date on which the Company is otherwise required to deliver the consideration due upon such conversion is before the first date on which the amount of such adjustment can be determined, then the Company will delay the settlement of such conversion until the second (2nd) Business Day after such first date.

(E) Conversion Rate Adjustments Where Converting Holders Participate in the Relevant Transaction or Event. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, if:

(i) a Conversion Rate adjustment for any dividend or distribution becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date pursuant to Section 5.05(A);

(ii) a Note is to be converted;

(iii) the Conversion Date for such conversion occurs on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or before the related record date;

(iv) the Conversion Consideration due upon such conversion includes any whole shares of Common Stock based on a Conversion Rate that is adjusted for such dividend or distribution; and

(v) such shares would be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution (including pursuant to Section 5.02(C)),

then (x) such Conversion Rate adjustment will not be given effect for such conversion; (y) the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion based on such unadjusted Conversion Rate will not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution; and (z) there will be added, to the Conversion Consideration otherwise due upon such conversion, the same kind and amount of consideration that would have been delivered in such dividend or distribution with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares been entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution.

 

- 48 -


(F) Stockholder Rights Plans. If any shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon conversion of any Note and, at the time of such conversion, the Company has in effect any stockholder rights plan, then the Holder of such Note will be entitled to receive, in addition to, and concurrently with the delivery of, the Conversion Consideration otherwise payable under the Indenture upon such conversion, the rights set forth in such stockholder rights plan, unless such rights have separated from the Common Stock at such time, in which case, and only in such case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted pursuant to Section 5.05(A)(iii)(1) on account of such separation as if, at the time of such separation, the Company had made a distribution of the type referred to in such Section to all holders of the Common Stock, subject to potential readjustment in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 5.05(A)(iii)(1).

(G) Limitation on Effecting Transactions Resulting in Certain Adjustments. The Company will not engage in or be a party to any transaction or event that would require the Conversion Rate to be adjusted pursuant to Section 5.05(A) or Section 5.07 to an amount that would result in the Conversion Price per share of Common Stock being less than the par value per share of Common Stock.

(H) Equitable Adjustments to Prices. Whenever any provision of the Indenture requires the Company to calculate the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices, or any function thereof, over a period of multiple days (including to calculate the Stock Price or an adjustment to the Conversion Rate), the Company will make appropriate adjustments, if any, to such calculations to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.05(A) that becomes effective, or any event requiring such an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date or effective date, as applicable, of such event occurs, at any time during such period.

(I) Calculation of Number of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock. For purposes of Section 5.05(A), the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any time will (i) include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock; and (ii) exclude shares of Common Stock held in the Company’s treasury (unless the Company pays any dividend or makes any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in its treasury).

(J) Calculations. All calculations with respect to the Conversion Rate and adjustments thereto will be made to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share of Common Stock (with 5/100,000ths rounded upward).

(K) Notice of Conversion Rate Adjustments. Upon the effectiveness of any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.05(A), the Company will promptly send notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent containing (i) a brief description of the transaction or other event on account of which such adjustment was made; (ii) the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after such adjustment; and (iii) the effective time of such adjustment.

Section 5.06. VOLUNTARY ADJUSTMENTS.

(A) Generally. To the extent permitted by law and applicable stock exchange rules, the Company, from time to time, may (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate by any amount if (i) the Board of Directors determines that such increase is either (x) in the best interest of the Company; or (y) advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax imposed on holders of Common Stock or rights to purchase Common Stock as a result of any dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) of Common Stock or any similar event; (ii) such increase is in effect for a period of at least twenty (20) Business Days; and (iii) such increase is irrevocable during such period.

 

- 49 -


(B) Notice of Voluntary Increases. If the Board of Directors determines to increase the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.06(A), then, no later than the first Business Day of the related twenty (20) Business Day period referred to in Section 5.06(A), the Company will send notice to each Holder, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent of such increase, the amount thereof and the period during which such increase will be in effect.

Section 5.07. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CONVERSION RATE IN CONNECTION WITH A MAKE-WHOLE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE.

(A) Generally. If a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date and the Conversion Date for the conversion of a Note occurs during the related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Conversion Period, then, subject to this Section 5.07, the Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount of Notes applicable to such conversion will be increased by a number of shares (the “Additional Shares”) set forth in the table below corresponding (after interpolation as provided in, and subject to, the provisions below) to the effective date and the Stock Price of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change:

 

     Stock Price  

Effective Date

   $0.750      $0.875      $0.900      $1.050      $1.150      $1.250      $1.575      $1.750      $2.000      $2.250  

December 12, 2023

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        50.4667        24.5130        16.9640        9.0286        4.1343        0.1250        0.0000  

December 15, 2024

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        44.8095        24.5130        14.1400        4.5460        2.0814        0.0625        0.0000  

December 15, 2025

     222.2222        128.4800        114.1444        31.6190        24.5130        11.3160        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

December 15, 2026

     222.2222        31.7486        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000        0.0000  

If such effective date or Stock Price is not set forth in the table above, then:

(i) if such Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table above or the effective date is between two dates in the table above, then the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate will be increased will be determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices in the table above or the earlier and later dates in the table above, based on a 365- or 366-day year, as applicable; and

(ii) if the Stock Price is (x) greater than $2.25 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above are adjusted pursuant to Section 5.07(B)), or (y) less than $0.75 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner), then no Additional Shares will be added to the Conversion Rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, in no event will the Conversion Rate be increased to an amount that exceeds 1,333.3333 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which amount is subject to adjustment in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the Conversion Rate is required to be adjusted pursuant to Section 5.05(A).

 

- 50 -


(B) Adjustment of Stock Prices and Number of Additional Shares. The Stock Prices in the first row (i.e., the column headers) of the table set forth in Section 5.07(A) will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the Conversion Price is adjusted as a result of the operation of Section 5.05(A). The numbers of Additional Shares in the table set forth in Section 5.07(A) will be adjusted in the same manner as, and at the same time and for the same events for which, the Conversion Rate is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.05(A).

(C) Notice of the Occurrence of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change. If a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date, then, promptly and in no event later than the Business Day immediately after the effective date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company will notify the Holders of the occurrence of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change and of such effective date, briefly stating the circumstances under which the Conversion Rate will be increased pursuant to this Section 5.07 in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change.

Section 5.08. EXCHANGE IN LIEU OF CONVERSION.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 5, and subject to the terms of this Section 5.08, if a Note is submitted for conversion, the Company may elect to arrange to have such Note exchanged in lieu of conversion by a financial institution designated by the Company. To make such election, the Company must send notice of such election to the Holder of such Note, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent before the Close of Business on the Business Day immediately following the Conversion Date for such Note. If the Company has made such election, then:

(A) no later than the Business Day immediately following such Conversion Date, the Company must deliver (or cause the Conversion Agent to deliver) such Note, together with delivery instructions for the Conversion Consideration due upon such conversion (including wire instructions, if applicable), to a financial institution designated by the Company that has agreed to deliver such Conversion Consideration in the manner and at the time the Company would have had to deliver the same pursuant to this Article 5;

(B) if such Note is a Global Note, then (i) such designated institution will send written confirmation to the Conversion Agent promptly after wiring the cash Conversion Consideration, if any, and delivering any other Conversion Consideration, due upon such conversion to the Holder of such Note; and (ii) the Conversion Agent will as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter contact such Holder’s custodian with the Depositary to confirm receipt of the same; and

(C) such Note will not cease to be outstanding by reason of such exchange in lieu of conversion;

provided, however, that if such financial institution does not accept such Note or fails to timely deliver such Conversion Consideration, then the Company will be responsible for delivering such Conversion Consideration in the manner and at the time provided in this Article 5 as if the Company had not elected to make an exchange in lieu of conversion.

 

- 51 -


Section 5.09. EFFECT OF COMMON STOCK CHANGE EVENT.

(A) Generally. If there occurs any:

(i) recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than (x) changes solely resulting from a subdivision or combination of the Common Stock, (y) a change only in par value or from par value to no par value or no par value to par value and (z) stock splits and stock combinations that do not involve the issuance of any other series or class of securities);

(ii) consolidation, merger, combination or binding or statutory share exchange involving the Company;

(iii) sale, lease or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person; or

(iv) other similar event,

and, as a result of which, the Common Stock is converted into, or is exchanged for, or represents solely the right to receive, other securities, cash or other property, or any combination of the foregoing (such an event, a “Common Stock Change Event,” and such other securities, cash or property, the “Reference Property,” and the amount and kind of Reference Property that a holder of one (1) share of Common Stock would be entitled to receive on account of such Common Stock Change Event (without giving effect to any arrangement not to issue or deliver a fractional portion of any security or other property), a “Reference Property Unit”), then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes,

(1) from and after the effective time of such Common Stock Change Event, (I) the Conversion Consideration due upon conversion of any Note will be determined in the same manner as if each reference to any number of shares of Common Stock in this Article 5 (or in any related definitions) were instead a reference to the same number of Reference Property Units; (II) for purposes of Section 4.03, each reference to any number of shares of Common Stock in such Section (or in any related definitions) will instead be deemed to be a reference to the same number of Reference Property Units; and (III) for purposes of the definitions of “Fundamental Change” and “Make-Whole Fundamental Change,” references to “Common Stock” and the Company’s “common equity” will be deemed to refer to the common equity (including depositary receipts representing common equity), if any, forming part of such Reference Property; and

(2) for these purposes, the Last Reported Sale Price of any Reference Property Unit or portion thereof that does not consist of a class of securities will be the fair value of such Reference Property Unit or portion thereof, as applicable, determined in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner by the Company (or, in the case of cash denominated in U.S. dollars, the face amount thereof).

 

- 52 -


If the Reference Property consists of more than a single type of consideration to be determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election, then the composition of the Reference Property Unit will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received, per share of Common Stock, by the holders of Common Stock. The Company will notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent of such weighted average as soon as reasonably practicable after such determination is made.

At or before the effective time of such Common Stock Change Event, the Company and the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not the Company) of such Common Stock Change Event (the “Successor Person”) will execute and deliver to the Trustee without the consent of the Holders a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 8.01(F), which supplemental indenture will (x) provide for subsequent conversions of Notes in the manner set forth in this Section 5.09; (y) provide for subsequent adjustments to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 5.05(A) in a manner consistent with this Section 5.09; and (z) contain such other provisions, if any, that the Company reasonably determines are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of the Holders and to give effect to the provisions of this Section 5.09(A). If the Reference Property includes shares of stock or other securities or assets (other than cash) of a Person other than the Successor Person, then such other Person will also execute such supplemental indenture and such supplemental indenture will contain such additional provisions, if any, that the Company reasonably determines are appropriate to preserve the economic interests of the Holders.

(B) Notice of Common Stock Change Events. The Company will provide notice of each Common Stock Change Event to Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent no later than the effective date of such Common Stock Change Event.

(C) Compliance Covenant. The Company will not become a party to any Common Stock Change Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 5.09.

Article 6. SUCCESSORS

Section 6.01. WHEN THE COMPANY MAY MERGE, ETC.

(A) Generally. The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or (directly, or indirectly through one or more of its Subsidiaries) sell, lease or otherwise transfer, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person (a “Business Combination Event”), unless:

(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person either (x) is the Company or (y) if not the Company, is a corporation (the “Successor Entity”) duly organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia that expressly assumes (by executing and delivering to the Trustee, at or before the effective time of such Business Combination Event, a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 8.01(E)) all of the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes; and

(ii) immediately after giving effect to such Business Combination Event, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing.

 

- 53 -


(B) Delivery of Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee. At or before the effective time of any Business Combination Event, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that (i) such Business Combination Event (and, if applicable, the related supplemental indenture) comply with Section 6.01(A); and (ii) all conditions precedent to such Business Combination Event provided in the Indenture have been satisfied.

Section 6.02. SUCCESSOR ENTITY SUBSTITUTED.

At the effective time of any Business Combination Event that complies with Section 6.01, the Successor Entity (if not the Company) will succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture and the Notes with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company in the Indenture and the Notes, and, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company will be discharged from its obligations under the Indenture and the Notes.

Article 7. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 7.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

(A) Definition of Events of Default. “Event of Default” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(i) a default in the payment when due (whether at maturity, upon Redemption or Repurchase Upon Fundamental Change or otherwise) of the principal of, or the Redemption Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for, any Note;

(ii) a default for thirty (30) days in the payment when due of interest on any Note;

(iii) the Company’s failure to deliver, when required by the Indenture, a Fundamental Change Notice, or a notice pursuant to Section 5.07(C) and such failure continues for a period of five (5) Business Days;

(iv) a default in the Company’s obligation to convert a Note in accordance with Article 5 upon the exercise of the conversion right with respect thereto;

(v) a default in the Company’s obligations under Article 6;

(vi) a default in any of the Company’s obligations or agreements under the Indenture or the Notes (other than a default set forth in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of this Section 7.01(A)) where such default is not cured or waived within sixty (60) days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, which notice must specify such default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default”;

 

- 54 -


(vii) a default by the Company or any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries with respect to any one or more mortgages, agreements or other instruments under which there is outstanding, or by which there is secured or evidenced, any indebtedness for money borrowed of at least thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate of the Company or any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries, whether such indebtedness exists as of the Issue Date or is thereafter created, where such default:

(1) constitutes a failure to pay the principal of, or premium or interest on, any of such indebtedness when due and payable at its stated maturity, upon required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, in each case after the expiration of any applicable grace period; or

(2) results in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable before its stated maturity,

in each case where such acceleration has not, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, been rescinded or annulled or such failure to pay or default has not been cured or waived, or such indebtedness is not paid or discharged, as the case may be, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding;

(viii) one or more final judgments being rendered against the Company or any of the Company’s Significant Subsidiaries for the payment of at least thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) (or its foreign currency equivalent) in the aggregate (excluding any amounts covered by insurance), where such judgment is not discharged or stayed within sixty (60) days after (i) the date on which the right to appeal the same has expired, if no such appeal has commenced; or (ii) the date on which all rights to appeal have been extinguished;

(ix) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, either:

(1) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;

(3) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property;

(4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(5) takes any comparable action under any foreign Bankruptcy Law; or

(6) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

 

- 55 -


(x) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that either:

(1) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding;

(2) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or for any substantial part of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;

(3) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or

(4) grants any similar relief under any foreign Bankruptcy Law,

and, in each case under this Section 7.01(A)(x), such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for at least sixty (60) days.

(B) Cause Irrelevant. Each of the events set forth in Section 7.01(A) will constitute an Event of Default regardless of the cause thereof or whether voluntary or involuntary or effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

Section 7.02. ACCELERATION.

(A) Automatic Acceleration in Certain Circumstances. If an Event of Default set forth in Section 7.01(A)(ix) or 7.01(A)(x) occurs with respect to the Company (and not solely with respect to a Significant Subsidiary of the Company), then the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest and Coupon Make-Whole Premium, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding will immediately become due and payable without any further action or notice by any Person.

(B) Optional Acceleration. Subject to Section 7.03, if an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default set forth in Section 7.01(A)(ix) or 7.01(A)(x) with respect to the Company and not solely with respect to a Significant Subsidiary of the Company) occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest and Coupon Make-Whole Premium, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding to become due and payable immediately.

(C) For purposes of determining the amounts due upon acceleration of any Notes pursuant to Section 7.02(A) or 7.02(B), the Coupon Make-Whole Premium will be calculated assuming that the date such amounts are paid on such Notes were a Conversion Date, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Coupon Make-Whole Premium on such Notes will be payable upon such acceleration regardless of whether such Notes have theretofore been converted.

 

- 56 -


(D) Rescission of Acceleration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, on behalf of all Holders, rescind any acceleration of the Notes and its consequences if (i) such rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (ii) all existing Events of Default (except the non-payment of principal of, or interest, or the Coupon-Make Whole Premium, on, the Notes that has become due solely because of such acceleration) have been cured or waived. No such rescission will affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 7.03. SOLE REMEDY FOR A FAILURE TO REPORT.

(A) Generally. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, the Company may elect that the sole remedy for any Event of Default (a “Reporting Event of Default”) pursuant to Section 7.01(A)(vi) arising from the Company’s failure to comply with Section 3.02 (including Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act) will, for each of the first one hundred eighty (180) calendar days on which a Reporting Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, consist exclusively of the accrual of Special Interest on the Notes. If the Company has made such an election with respect to a Reporting Event of Default, then (i) on after the one hundred eighty-first (181st) day after such Reporting Event of Default has occurred (if such Reporting Event of Default is not cured or waived prior to such one hundred eighty-first (181st) day) (x) the Notes will be subject to acceleration pursuant to Section 7.02 on account of such Reporting Event of Default; and (y) Special Interest will cease to accrue on any Notes; and (ii) the Notes will be subject to acceleration pursuant to Section 7.02 on account of such Reporting Event of Default if the Company fails to pay any accrued and unpaid Special Interest when due at any time during the first one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days after the date on which such Reporting Event of Default first occurred (it being understood that interest on any defaulted Special Interest will nonetheless accrue pursuant to Section 2.05(B)).

(B) Amount and Payment of Special Interest. Any Special Interest that accrues on a Note pursuant to Section 7.03(A) will be payable on the same dates and in the same manner as the Stated Interest on such Note and, during the period in which such Reporting Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, will accrue at a rate per annum equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the principal amount thereof for the first ninety (90) days on which Special Interest accrues and, from, and including, the ninety-first (91st) day to, and including, the one hundred eightieth (180th) day, at a rate per annum equal to one half of one percent (0.50%) of the principal amount thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any Special Interest that accrues on a Note will be in addition to the Stated Interest that accrues on such Note.

(C) Notice of Election. To make the election set forth in Section 7.03(A), the Company must send to the Holders, the Trustee and the Paying Agent, before the date on which each Reporting Event of Default first occurs, a notice that (i) briefly describes the report(s) that the Company failed to file with the SEC; (ii) states that the Company is electing that the sole remedy for such Reporting Event of Default consist of the accrual of Special Interest; and (iii) briefly describes the periods during which and rate at which Special Interest will accrue and the circumstances under which the Notes will be subject to acceleration on account of such Reporting Event of Default.

 

- 57 -


(D) Notice to Trustee and Paying Agent; Trustee’s Disclaimer. If Special Interest accrues on any Note, then, no later than five (5) Business Days before each date on which such Special Interest is to be paid, the Company will deliver an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee and the Paying Agent stating (i) that the Company is obligated to pay Special Interest on such Note on such date of payment; and (ii) the amount of such Special Interest that is payable on such date of payment. The Trustee will have no duty to determine whether any Special Interest is payable or the amount thereof.

(E) No Effect on Other Events of Default. No election pursuant to this Section 7.03 with respect to a Reporting Event of Default will affect the rights of any Holder with respect to any other Event of Default, including with respect to any other Reporting Event of Default.

Section 7.04. OTHER REMEDIES.

(A) Trustee May Pursue All Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of any amounts due with respect to the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Indenture or the Notes.

(B) Procedural Matters. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in such proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy following an Event of Default will not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of, or acquiescence in, such Event of Default. All remedies will be cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 7.05. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.

An Event of Default pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iv) or (vi) of Section 7.01(A) (that, in the case of clause (vi) only, results from a Default under any covenant that cannot be amended without the consent of each affected Holder), and a Default that could lead to such an Event of Default, can be waived only with the consent of each affected Holder. Each other Default or Event of Default may be waived, on behalf of all Holders, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. If an Event of Default is so waived, then it will cease to exist. If a Default is so waived, then it will be deemed to be cured and any Event of Default arising therefrom will be deemed not to occur. However, no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right arising therefrom.

Section 7.06. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law, the Indenture or the Notes, or that, subject to Section 10.01, the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or may involve the Trustee in liability, unless the Trustee is offered (and, if requested, provided with) security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the Trustee that may result from the Trustee’s following such direction.

 

- 58 -


Section 7.07. LIMITATION ON SUITS.

No Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes (except to enforce (x) its rights to receive the principal of, or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or Redemption Price for, or any interest or Coupon Make-Whole Premium on, any Notes; or (y) the Company’s obligations to convert any Notes pursuant to Article 5), unless:

(A) such Holder has previously delivered to the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(B) Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding deliver a request to the Trustee to pursue such remedy;

(C) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense to the Trustee that may result from the Trustee’s following such request;

(D) the Trustee does not comply with such request within sixty (60) calendar days after its receipt of such request and such offer of security or indemnity; and

(E) during such sixty (60) calendar day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding do not deliver to the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such request.

A Holder of a Note may not use the Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder. The Trustee will have no duty to determine whether any Holder’s use of the Indenture complies with the preceding sentence.

Section 7.08. ABSOLUTE RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT AND CONVERSION CONSIDERATION AND TO INSTITUTE SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF SUCH RIGHT.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes (but without limiting Section 8.01), the right of each Holder of a Note to receive payment or delivery, as applicable, of the principal of, or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or Redemption Price for, or any interest on, or the Conversion Consideration due pursuant to Article 5 upon conversion of, such Note on or after the respective due dates therefor provided in the Indenture and the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery after such respective due dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 7.09. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.

The Trustee will have the right, upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iv) of Section 7.01(A), to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the total unpaid or undelivered principal of, or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or Redemption Price for, or any interest on, or Conversion Consideration due pursuant to Article 5 upon conversion of, the Notes, as applicable, and, to the extent lawful, any Default Interest on any Defaulted Amounts, and such further amounts sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including compensation provided for in Section 10.06.

 

- 59 -


Section 7.10. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.

The Trustee has the right to (A) file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes) or its creditors or property and (B) collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims. Each Holder authorizes any custodian in such proceeding to make such payments to the Trustee, and, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to the Trustee for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.06. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements, advances and other amounts out of the estate in such proceeding, is denied for any reason, payment of the same will be secured by a lien (senior to the rights of Holders) on, and will be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding (whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise). Nothing in the Indenture will be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize, consent to, accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 7.11. PRIORITIES.

The Trustee will pay or deliver in the following order any money or other property that it collects pursuant to this Article 7:

First: to the Trustee and its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 10.06, including payment of all fees and compensation of, and all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by, the Trustee (in each of its capacities under this Indenture, including as Note Agent) and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders for unpaid amounts or other property due on the Notes, including the principal of, or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price or Redemption Price for, or any interest on, or any Conversion Consideration due upon conversion of, the Notes, ratably, and without preference or priority of any kind, according to such amounts or other property due and payable on all of the Notes; and

Third: to the Company or such other Person as a court of competent jurisdiction directs.

 

- 60 -


The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment or delivery to the Holders pursuant to this Section 7.11, in which case the Trustee will instruct the Company to, and the Company will, deliver, at least fifteen (15) calendar days before such record date, to each Holder and the Trustee a notice stating such record date, such payment date and the amount of such payment or nature of such delivery, as applicable.

Section 7.12. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under the Indenture or the Notes or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court, in its discretion, may (A) require the filing by any litigant party in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit; and (B) assess reasonable costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) against any litigant party in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such litigant party; provided, however, that this Section 7.12 does not apply to any suit by the Trustee, any suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 7.08 or any suit by one or more Holders of more than ten percent (10%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

Section 7.13. TRUSTEES OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF DEFAULTS TO HOLDERS.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, then the Trustee will send Holders a notice of such Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it occurs or, if it is not actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at such time, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) after it becomes actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest or any Coupon Make-Whole Premium on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and for so long as it in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Article 8. AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

Section 8.01. WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder to:

(A) cure any ambiguity or correct any omission, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture or the Notes;

(B) add guarantees with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Indenture or the Notes;

(C) secure the Notes;

(D) add to the Company’s covenants or Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders or surrender any right or power conferred on the Company;

(E) provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes pursuant to, and in compliance with, Article 6;

 

- 61 -


(F) enter into supplemental indentures pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 5.09 in connection with a Common Stock Change Event;

(G) evidence or provide for the acceptance of the appointment, under the Indenture, of a successor Trustee;

(H) conform the provisions of the Indenture and the Notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the Company’s preliminary prospectus supplement, dated December 6, 2023, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet, dated December 7, 2023;

(I) provide for or confirm the issuance of additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.03(B);

(J) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with effecting or maintaining the qualification of the Indenture, or any supplemental indenture thereto, under the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect;

(K) provide for any transfer restrictions that apply to any Notes issued under the Indenture (other than the Initial Notes) that, at the time of their original issuance, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or that are originally issued in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act;

(L) comply with the rules of the applicable depositary for the Notes, including the Depositary, so long as such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or

(M) make any other change to the Indenture or the Notes that does not, individually or in the aggregate with all other such changes, adversely affect the rights of the Holders, as such, in any material respect.

At the written request of any Holder of a Note or owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note, the Company will provide a copy of the “Description of Notes” section and pricing term sheet referred to in Section 8.01(H).

Section 8.02. WITH THE CONSENT OF HOLDERS.

(A) Generally. Subject to Sections 8.01, 7.05 and 7.08 and the immediately following sentence, the Company and the Trustee may, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes or waive compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence, but subject to Section 8.01, without the consent of each affected Holder, no amendment or supplement to the Indenture or the Notes, or waiver of any provision of the Indenture or the Notes, may:

(i) reduce the principal, or change the stated maturity, of any Note;

(ii) reduce the Redemption Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price for any Note or change the times at which, or the circumstances under which, the Notes may or will be redeemed or repurchased by the Company;

 

- 62 -


(iii) reduce the rate, or extend the time for the payment, of interest on any Note;

(iv) make any change that adversely affects the conversion rights of any Note;

(v) impair the rights of any Holder set forth in Section 7.08 (as such section is in effect on the Issue Date);

(vi) change the ranking of the Notes;

(vii) make any Note payable in money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Indenture or the Note;

(viii) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to any amendment, supplement, waiver or other modification; or

(ix) make any direct or indirect change to any amendment, supplement, waiver or modification provision of the Indenture or the Notes that requires the consent of each affected Holder.

For the avoidance of doubt, pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 8.02(A), no amendment or supplement to the Indenture or the Notes, or waiver of any provision of the Indenture or the Notes, may change the amount or type of consideration due on any Note (whether on an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Maturity Date or upon conversion, or otherwise), or the date(s) or time(s) such consideration is payable or deliverable, as applicable, without the consent of each affected Holder.

(B) Holders Need Not Approve the Particular Form of any Amendment. A consent of any Holder pursuant to this Section 8.02 need approve only the substance, and not necessarily the particular form, of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 8.03. NOTICE OF AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS.

As soon as reasonably practicable after any amendment, supplement or waiver pursuant to Section 8.01 or 8.02 becomes effective, the Company will send to the Holders and the Trustee notice that (A) describes the substance of such amendment, supplement or waiver in reasonable detail and (B) states the effective date thereof; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to provide such notice to the Holders if such amendment, supplement or waiver is included in a periodic report filed by the Company with the SEC within four (4) Business Days of its effectiveness. The failure to send, or the existence of any defect in, such notice will not impair or affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

- 63 -


Section 8.04. REVOCATION, EFFECT AND SOLICITATION OF CONSENTS; SPECIAL RECORD DATES; ETC.

(A) Revocation and Effect of Consents. The consent of a Holder of a Note to an amendment, supplement or waiver will bind (and constitute the consent of) each subsequent Holder of any Note to the extent the same evidences any portion of the same indebtedness as the consenting Holder’s Note, subject to the right of any Holder of a Note to revoke (if not prohibited pursuant to Section 8.04(B)) any such consent with respect to such Note by delivering notice of revocation to the Trustee before the time such amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.

(B) Special Record Dates. The Company may, but is not required to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent or take any other action in connection with any amendment, supplement or waiver pursuant to this Article 8. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.04(A), only Persons who are Holders as of such record date (or their duly designated proxies) will be entitled to give such consent, to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, regardless of whether such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date; provided, however, that no such consent will be valid or effective for more than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after such record date.

(C) Solicitation of Consents. For the avoidance of doubt, each reference in the Indenture or the Notes to the consent of a Holder will be deemed to include any such consent obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, any Notes.

(D) Effectiveness and Binding Effect. Each amendment, supplement or waiver pursuant to this Article 8 will become effective in accordance with its terms and, when it becomes effective with respect to any Note (or any portion thereof), will thereafter bind every Holder of such Note (or such portion).

Section 8.05. NOTATIONS AND EXCHANGES.

If any amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, then the Trustee or the Company may, in its discretion, require the Holder of such Note to deliver such Note to the Trustee so that the Trustee may place an appropriate notation prepared by the Company on such Note and return such Note to such Holder. Alternatively, at its discretion, the Company may, in exchange for such Note, issue, execute and deliver, and the Trustee will authenticate, in each case in accordance with Section 2.02, a new Note that reflects the changed terms. The failure to make any appropriate notation or issue a new Note pursuant to this Section 8.05 will not impair or affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 8.06. TRUSTEE TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES.

The Trustee will execute and deliver any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 8; provided, however, that the Trustee need not (but may, in its sole and absolute discretion) execute or deliver any such amendment or supplemental indenture that the Trustee concludes adversely affects the Trustee’s rights, duties, liabilities or immunities. In executing any amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 10.01 and 10.02) will be fully protected in relying on, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the execution and delivery of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by the Indenture; and (B) in the case of the Opinion of Counsel, such amendment or supplemental indenture is valid, binding and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

- 64 -


Article 9. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 9.01. TERMINATION OF COMPANYS OBLIGATIONS.

The Indenture will be discharged, and will cease to be of further effect, as to all Notes issued under the Indenture, when:

(A) all Notes then outstanding (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.12) have (i) been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (ii) become due and payable (whether on a Redemption Date, a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Maturity Date, upon conversion or otherwise) for an amount of cash or Conversion Consideration, as applicable, that has been fixed;

(B) the Company has caused there to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee, or with the Paying Agent (or, with respect to Conversion Consideration, the Conversion Agent), in each case for the benefit of the Holders, or has otherwise caused there to be delivered to the Holders, cash (or, with respect to Notes to be converted, Conversion Consideration) sufficient to satisfy all amounts or other property due on all Notes then outstanding (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.12);

(C) the Company has paid all other amounts payable by it under the Indenture with respect to the Notes; and

(D) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the conditions precedent to the discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Notes have been satisfied;

provided, however, that Article 10 and Section 11.01 will survive such discharge and, until no Notes remain outstanding, Section 2.14 and the obligations of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent with respect to money or other property deposited with them will survive such discharge.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will acknowledge the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as to the Notes.

Section 9.02. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

Subject to applicable unclaimed property law, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent will promptly notify the Company if there exists (and, at the Company’s request, promptly deliver to the Company) any cash, Conversion Consideration or other property held by any of them for payment or delivery on the Notes that remain unclaimed two (2) years after the date on which such payment or delivery was due. After such delivery to the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent will have no further liability to any Holder with respect to such cash, Conversion Consideration or other property, and Holders entitled to the payment or delivery of such cash, Conversion Consideration or other property must look to the Company for payment as a general creditor of the Company.

 

- 65 -


Section 9.03. REINSTATEMENT.

If the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Conversion Agent is unable to apply any cash or other property deposited with it pursuant to Section 9.01 because of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or other governmental authority that enjoins, restrains or otherwise prohibits such application, then the discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Section 9.01 will be rescinded; provided, however, that if the Company thereafter pays or delivers any cash or other property due on the Notes to the Holders thereof, then the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such Holders to receive such cash or other property from the cash or other property, if any, held by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Conversion Agent, as applicable.

Article 10. TRUSTEE

Section 10.01. DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

(A) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has written notice or actual knowledge of the same, then, without limiting the generality of Section 10.02(F), the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(B) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of the Indenture, and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into the Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may, without investigation, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officer’s Certificates or Opinions of Counsel that are provided to the Trustee and conform to the requirements of the Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of the Indenture.

(C) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its negligence or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph will not limit the effect of Section 10.01(B);

(ii) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 7.06.

 

- 66 -


(D) No provision of the Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

(E) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it, except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds, except to the extent required by law.

(F) The Trustee will not be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes.

(G) Each provision of the Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee (including any provision that affects the liability of, or affords protection to, the Trustee) is subject to this Section 10.01, regardless of whether such provision so expressly provides.

Section 10.02. RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE.

(A) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document that it believes to be genuine and signed or presented by the proper Person, and the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in such document.

(B) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel; and the written advice of such counsel, or any Opinion of Counsel, will constitute full and complete authorization of the Trustee to take or omit to take any action in good faith in reliance thereon without liability.

(C) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any such agent appointed with due care.

(D) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith and that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture.

(E) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(F) The Trustee need not exercise any rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any Holder unless such Holder has offered (and, if requested, provided) the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense that it may incur in complying with such request or direction.

(G) The Trustee will not be responsible or liable for any punitive, special, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(H) The permissive rights of the Trustee set forth in the Indenture will not be construed as duties imposed on the Trustee.

 

- 67 -


(I) The Trustee will not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution or performance of the Indenture or otherwise.

(J) Unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received notice from the Company that Special Interest is owing or accruing, on the Notes, the Trustee may assume that no Special Interest, as applicable, is payable or accruing.

(K) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and will be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities under the Indenture, including as Note Agent.

(L) The Trustee will not be charged with knowledge of any document or agreement other than the Indenture and the Notes.

(M) Neither the Trustee nor any Note Agent will have any responsibility or liability to any person for any action taken or not taken by, or any records or any other aspect of the operations of, the Depositary (including the delivery of notices, or the making of payments, through the facilities of the Depositary) and may conclusively rely, without investigation, on any information provided by the Depositary.

Section 10.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE.

The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of any Note and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights that it would have if it were not Trustee; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires a “conflicting interest” (within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act), then it must eliminate such conflict within ninety (90) days or resign as Trustee. Each Note Agent will have the same rights and duties as the Trustee under this Section 10.03.

Section 10.04. TRUSTEES DISCLAIMER.

The Trustee will not be (A) responsible for, and makes no representation as to, the validity or adequacy of the Indenture or the Notes; (B) accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of the Indenture; (C) responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and (D) responsible for any statement or recital in the Indenture, the Notes or any other document relating to the sale of the Notes or the Indenture, other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

Section 10.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, then the Trustee will send Holders a notice of such Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it occurs or, if it is not known to the Trustee at such time, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) after it becomes known to a Responsible Officer; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest or any Coupon Make-Whole Premium on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and for so long as it in good faith determines that

 

- 68 -


withholding such notice is in the interests of the Holders. The Trustee will not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice thereof has been received by a Responsible Officer, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture and states on its face that a Default or Event of Default has occurred.

Section 10.06. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.

(A) The Company will, from time to time, pay the Trustee reasonable compensation for its acceptance of the Indenture and services under the Indenture, as separately agreed by the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. In addition to the compensation for the Trustee’s services, the Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it under the Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(B) The Company will indemnify the Trustee (in each of its capacities under this Indenture) and its directors, officers, employees and agents, in their capacities as such, against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under the Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing the Indenture against the Company (including this Section 10.06) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under the Indenture, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense is attributable (as determined by a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction) to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will promptly notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity, but the Trustee’s failure to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company of its obligations under this Section 10.06(B), except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure. The Company will defend such claim, and the Trustee will cooperate in such defense. If the Trustee is advised by counsel that it may have defenses available to it that are in conflict with the defenses available to the Company, or that there is an actual or potential conflict of interest, then the Trustee may retain separate counsel, and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Trustee incurred in evaluating whether such a conflict exists). The Company need not pay for any settlement of any such claim made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(C) The obligations of the Company under this Section 10.06 will survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge of the Indenture.

(D) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 10.06, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, or interest on, particular Notes, which lien will survive the discharge of the Indenture.

(E) If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default pursuant to clause (ix) or (x) of Section 7.01(A) occurs, then such expenses and the compensation for such services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

- 69 -


Section 10.07. REPLACEMENT OF THE TRUSTEE.

(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.07, a resignation or removal of the Trustee, and the appointment of a successor Trustee, will become effective only upon such successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 10.07.

(B) The Trustee may resign at any time and be discharged from the trust created by the Indenture by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 10.09;

(ii) the Trustee is adjudged to be bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(C) If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason, then (i) the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee; and (ii) at any time within one (1) year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace such successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(D) If a successor Trustee does not take office within sixty (60) days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, then the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least ten percent (10%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(E) If the Trustee, after written request by a Holder of at least six (6) months, fails to comply with Section 10.09, then such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(F) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company, upon which notice the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under the Indenture. The successor Trustee will send notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will, upon payment of all amounts due to it under the Indenture, promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, which property will, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the lien provided for in Section 10.06(D).

 

- 70 -


Section 10.08. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

Any entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee is a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, will (without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties to this Indenture) be the successor of the Trustee under this Indenture, provided that such entity must be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article 10.

Section 10.09. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.

There will at all times be a Trustee under the Indenture that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof, that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

Article 11. MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01. NOTICES.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other will be deemed to have been duly given if in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or other similar means of unsecured electronic communication or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or to the other’s address, which initially is as follows:

If to the Company:

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

with a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

2550 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304-1115

Attention: Stanley Pierson and Gabriella Lombardi

If to the Trustee:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

West Side Flats St. Paul

60 Livingston Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107

Attention: Brandon J. Bonfig

 

- 71 -


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding paragraph, notices to the Trustee or any Note Agent must be in writing and will be deemed to have been given upon actual receipt by the Trustee or such Note Agent, as applicable.

The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses (including facsimile numbers and electronic addresses) for subsequent notices or communications.

The Trustee will not have any duty to confirm that the person sending any notice, instruction or other communication by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, facsimile transmission, web portal or other electronic methods) is, in fact, a person authorized to do so. Electronic signatures believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Orbit, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider acceptable to the Trustee) will be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Any person that uses electronic signatures or electronic methods to send communications to the Trustee assumes all risks arising out of such use, including the risk of the Trustee acting on an unauthorized communication and the risk of interception or misuse by third parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Trustee may, in any instance and in its sole discretion, require that an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic communication.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: (A) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (B) five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (C) when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile, electronic transmission or other similar means of unsecured electronic communication; and (D) the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

All notices or communications required to be made to a Holder pursuant to the Indenture must be made in writing and will be deemed to be duly sent or given in writing if mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to its address shown on the Register; provided, however, that a notice or communication to a Holder of a Global Note may, but need not, instead be sent pursuant to the Depositary Procedures (in which case, such notice will be deemed to be duly sent or given in writing). The failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder, or any defect in such notice or communication, will not affect its sufficiency with respect to any other Holder.

If the Trustee is then acting as the Depositary’s custodian for the Notes, then, at the reasonable request of the Company to the Trustee, the Trustee will cause any notice prepared by the Company to be sent to any Holder(s) pursuant to the Depositary Procedures, provided such request is evidenced in a Company Order delivered, together with the text of such notice, to the Trustee at least two (2) Business Days before the date such notice is to be so sent. For the avoidance of doubt, such Company Order need not be accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee will not have any liability relating to the contents of any notice that it sends to any Holder pursuant to any such Company Order.

 

- 72 -


If a notice or communication is mailed or sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it will be deemed to have been duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, (A) whenever any provision of the Indenture requires a party to send notice to another party, no such notice need be sent if the sending party and the recipient are the same Person acting in different capacities; and (B) whenever any provision of the Indenture requires a party to send notice to more than one receiving party, and each receiving party is the same Person acting in different capacities, then only one such notice need be sent to such Person.

Section 11.02. DELIVERY OF OFFICERS CERTIFICATE AND OPINION OF COUNSEL AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under the Indenture (other than the initial authentication of Notes under the Indenture), the Company will furnish to the Trustee:

(A) an Officer’s Certificate that complies with Section 11.03 and states that, in the opinion of the signatory thereto, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to such action have been satisfied; and

(B) an Opinion of Counsel that complies with Section 11.03 and states that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants, if any, have been satisfied.

Section 11.03. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN OFFICERS CERTIFICATE AND OPINION OF COUNSEL.

Each Officer’s Certificate (other than an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.03) or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in the Indenture will include:

(A) a statement that the signatory thereto has read such covenant or condition;

(B) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained therein are based;

(C) a statement that, in the opinion of such signatory, he, she or it has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him, her or it to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(D) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such signatory, such covenant or condition has been satisfied.

 

- 73 -


Section 11.04. RULES BY THE TRUSTEE, THE REGISTRAR, THE PAYING AGENT AND THE CONVERSION AGENT.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. Each of the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 11.05. NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the Notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting any Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

Section 11.06. GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THE INDENTURE OR THE NOTES, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.

Section 11.07. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon the Indenture or the transactions contemplated by the Indenture may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in the City of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail (to the extent allowed under any applicable statute or rule of court) to such party’s address set forth in Section 11.01 will be effective service of process for any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. Each of the Company, the Trustee and each Holder (by its acceptance of any Note) irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 11.08. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.

Neither the Indenture nor the Notes may be used to interpret any other indenture, note, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person, and no such indenture, note, loan or debt agreement may be used to interpret the Indenture or the Notes.

 

- 74 -


Section 11.09. SUCCESSORS.

All agreements of the Company in the Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in the Indenture will bind its successors.

Section 11.10. FORCE MAJEURE.

The Trustee and each Note Agent will not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility under the Indenture or the Notes by reason of any occurrence beyond its control (including any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, act of God or war, civil unrest, local or national disturbance or disaster, act of terrorism or unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility).

Section 11.11. U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT.

The Company acknowledges that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions, in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The Company agrees to provide the Trustee with such information as it may request to enable the Trustee to comply with the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

Section 11.12. CALCULATIONS.

Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the Company will be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Indenture or the Notes, including determinations of the Last Reported Sale Price, accrued interest (including Special Interest) on the Notes, the Coupon Make-Whole Premium, the Redemption Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and the Conversion Rate.

The Company will make all calculations in good faith, and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on all Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will promptly forward a copy of each such schedule to a Holder upon its written request therefor. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee will not be obligated to make or confirm any calculations or other amounts called for under the Indenture or the Notes.

Section 11.13. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of the Indenture or the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Indenture or the Notes will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

- 75 -


Section 11.14. COUNTERPARTS.

The parties may sign any number of copies of the Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, and all of them together represent the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of the Indenture by facsimile, electronically in portable document format or in any other format will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

Section 11.15. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

The table of contents and the headings of the Articles and Sections of the Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of the Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture.

Section 11.16. WITHHOLDING TAXES.

Each Holder of a Note agrees, and each beneficial owner of an interest in a Global Note, by its acquisition of such interest, is deemed to agree, that if the Company or other applicable withholding agent (including the Trustee) pays withholding taxes or backup withholding on behalf of such Holder or beneficial owner as a result of an adjustment or the non-occurrence of an adjustment to the Conversion Rate, then the Company or such withholding agent, as applicable, may, at its option, set off such payments against payments of cash or the delivery of other Conversion Consideration on such Note, any payments on the Common Stock or sales proceeds received by, or other funds or assets of, such Holder or the beneficial owner of such Note.

Section 11.17. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.

If any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision that is required to be included in the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, then required provision of the Trust Indenture Act will control.

[The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

- 76 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Stephen J. Girsky
  Name: Stephen J. Girsky
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:   /s/ Brandon Bonfig
  Name: Brandon Bonfig
  Title: Vice President

[Signature Page to Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

[Insert Global Note Legend, if applicable]

[Insert Contingent Payment Debt Instrument Legend]

[Insert Non-Affiliate Legend]

NIKOLA CORPORATION

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Note due 2026

 

CUSIP No.:    [___]    Certificate No. [___]
ISIN No.:    [___]     

Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation, for value received, promises to pay to [Cede & Co.], or its registered assigns, the principal sum of [___] dollars ($[___]) [(as revised by the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note)]* on December 15, 2026 and to pay interest thereon, as provided in the Indenture referred to below, until the principal and all accrued and unpaid interest are paid or duly provided for.

 

Interest Payment Dates:    June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on [date].
  
Regular Record Dates:    June 1 and December 1.

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

[The Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

* 

Insert bracketed language for Global Notes only.

 

A-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Nikola Corporation has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date set forth below.

 

      NIKOLA CORPORATION
Date:         By:    
        Name:
        Title:

 

A-2


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date:         By:    
        Authorized Signatory
       

 

A-3


NIKOLA CORPORATION

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Note due 2026

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), designated as its 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”), all issued or to be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated as of December 12, 2023, and a first supplemental indenture (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Supplemental Indenture,” and the Base Indenture, as amended by the Supplemental Indenture, and as the same may be further amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes, the “Indenture”), dated as of December 12, 2023, each between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used in this Note without definition have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.

The Indenture sets forth the rights and obligations of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders and the terms of the Notes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Note, to the extent that any provision of this Note conflicts with the provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture will control.

1. Interest. This Note will accrue interest at a rate and in the manner set forth in Section 2.05 of the Supplemental Indenture. Stated Interest on this Note will begin to accrue from, and including, [date].

2. Maturity. This Note will mature on December 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

3. Method of Payment. Cash amounts due on this Note will be paid in the manner set forth in Section 2.04 of the Supplemental Indenture.

4. Persons Deemed Owners. The Holder of this Note will be treated as the owner of this Note for all purposes.

5. Denominations; Transfers and Exchanges. All Notes will be in registered form, without coupons, in principal amounts equal to any Authorized Denominations. Subject to the terms of the Indenture, the Holder of this Note may transfer or exchange this Note by presenting it to the Registrar and delivering any required documentation or other materials.

6. Right of Holders to Require the Company to Repurchase Notes Upon a Fundamental Change. If a Fundamental Change (other than an Exempted Fundamental Change) occurs, then each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes (or any portion thereof in an Authorized Denomination) for cash in the manner, and subject to the terms, set forth in Section 4.02 of the Supplemental Indenture.

7. Right of the Company to Redeem the Notes. The Company will have the right to redeem the Notes for cash in the manner, and subject to the terms, set forth in Section 4.03 of the Supplemental Indenture.

 

A-4


8. Conversion. The Holder of this Note may convert this Note into Conversion Consideration in the manner, and subject to the terms, set forth in Article 5 of the Supplemental Indenture.

9. When the Company May Merge, Etc. Article 6 of the Supplemental Indenture places limited restrictions on the Company’s ability to be a party to a Business Combination Event.

10. Defaults and Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs, then the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest and Coupon Make-Whole Premium, if any, on, all of the Notes then outstanding may (and, in certain circumstances, will automatically) become due and payable in the manner, and subject to the terms, set forth in Article 7 of the Supplemental Indenture.

11. Amendments, Supplements and Waivers. The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes or waive compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes in the manner, and subject to the terms, set forth in Section 7.05 and Article 8 of the Supplemental Indenture.

12. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the Notes or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting any Note, each Holder waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

13. Authentication. No Note will be valid until it is authenticated by the Trustee. A Note will be deemed to be duly authenticated only when an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or a duly appointed authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication of such Note.

14. Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or its assignee, such as TEN COM (tenants in common), TEN ENT (tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

15. Tax Treatment. Each Holder and beneficial owner of a Note makes certain agreements relating to the tax treatment of such Note, set forth in Section 3.07 of the Supplemental Indenture.

16. Governing Law. THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

A-5


* * *

To request a copy of the Indenture, which the Company will provide to any Holder at no charge, please send a written request to the following address:

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

Attention: Chief Legal Officer

 

A-6


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

INITIAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE: $[    ]

The following exchanges, transfers or cancellations of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date

 

Amount of Increase (Decrease) in
Principal Amount of this Global
Note

 

Principal Amount of this Global Note
After Such Increase (Decrease)

 

Signature of Authorized
Signatory of Trustee

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 

Insert for Global Notes only.

 

A-7


CONVERSION NOTICE

NIKOLA CORPORATION

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

Subject to the terms of the Indenture, by executing and delivering this Conversion Notice, the undersigned Holder of the Note identified below directs the Company to convert (check one):

☐ the entire principal amount of

☐ $                * aggregate principal amount of

the Note identified by CUSIP No.                  and Certificate No.                 .

The undersigned acknowledges that if the Conversion Date of a Note to be converted is after a Regular Record Date and before the next Interest Payment Date, then such Note, when surrendered for conversion, must, in certain circumstances, be accompanied with an amount of cash equal to the interest that would have accrued on such Note to, but excluding, such Interest Payment Date.

 

Date:                                                 

 

    (Legal Name of Holder)
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:
    Signature Guaranteed:
   

 

   

Participant in a Recognized Signature

Guarantee Medallion Program

    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

* 

Must be an Authorized Denomination.

 

A-8


FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE

NIKOLA CORPORATION

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

Subject to the terms of the Indenture, by executing and delivering this Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, the undersigned Holder of the Note identified below is exercising its Fundamental Change Repurchase Right with respect to (check one):

☐ the entire principal amount of

☐ $                * aggregate principal amount of

the Note identified by CUSIP No.                  and Certificate No.                 .

The undersigned acknowledges that this Note, duly endorsed for transfer, must be delivered to the Paying Agent before the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price will be paid.

 

Date:                                                 

 

    (Legal Name of Holder)
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:
    Signature Guaranteed:
   

 

   

Participant in a Recognized Signature

Guarantee Medallion Program

    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

* 

Must be an Authorized Denomination.

 

A-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

NIKOLA CORPORATION

8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026

Subject to the terms of the Indenture, the undersigned Holder of the Note identified below assigns (check one):

☐ the entire principal amount of

☐ $                * aggregate principal amount of

the Note identified by CUSIP No.                  and Certificate No.                 , and all rights thereunder, to:

 

Name:    
Address:    
Social security or tax id. #:    
and irrevocably appoints:    

as agent to transfer the within Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him/her.

 

Date:                                                 

 

    (Legal Name of Holder)
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:
    Signature Guaranteed:
   

 

   

Participant in a Recognized Signature

Guarantee Medallion Program

    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

 

* 

Must be an Authorized Denomination.

 

A-10


EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF GLOBAL NOTE LEGEND

THIS IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS THE OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FOR ALL PURPOSES.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE WILL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC, OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE, AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE WILL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 2 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO.

 

B1-1


EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF CONTINGENT PAYMENT DEBT INSTRUMENT LEGEND

THIS NOTE IS A CONTINGENT PAYMENT DEBT INSTRUMENT AND WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE COMPANY WILL PROMPTLY PROVIDE TO THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, ISSUE PRICE, ISSUE DATE, COMPARABLE YIELD AND PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE. ANY SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST SHOULD BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: NIKOLA CORPORATION, 4141 E BROADWAY ROAD, PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85040, ATTENTION: CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER.

 

B2-1


EXHIBIT B-3

FORM OF NON-AFFILIATE LEGEND

NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED) OF THE COMPANY MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

 

B3-1


Exhibit 5.1

PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP

2550 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

December 12, 2023

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road,

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale of 133,333,334 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company, all of which are authorized but heretofore unissued shares to be offered and sold by the Company, pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-264068) (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), and related prospectus, dated April 14, 2022, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 7, 2023 relating to the offer and sale of the Shares (as so supplemented, the “Prospectus”).

We have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and such other agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials, and have reviewed and are familiar with such corporate proceedings and satisfied ourselves as to such other matters, as we have considered relevant or necessary as a basis for our opinions set forth in this letter. In such review, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of all agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials submitted to us, the conformity with the originals of all such materials submitted to us as copies (whether or not certified and including facsimiles), the authenticity of the originals of such materials and all materials submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of all natural persons.

On the basis of the assumptions and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and sold by the Company in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and in accordance with the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our opinions set forth in this letter are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as in effect on the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on the date hereof and the incorporation thereof in the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP


Exhibit 5.2

PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP

2550 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

December 12, 2023

Nikola Corporation

4141 E Broadway Road,

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) and the shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company initially issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the “Conversion Shares” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”), pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-264068) (the “Registration Statement”), filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), and related prospectus, dated April 14, 2022, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 7, 2023 relating to the offer and sale of the Securities (as so supplemented, the “Prospectus”). The Notes have been issued under the Indenture dated as of December 12, 2023, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 12, 2023 (as so supplemented, the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

We have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Indenture and such other agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials, and have reviewed and are familiar with such corporate proceedings and satisfied ourselves as to such other matters, as we have considered relevant or necessary as a basis for our opinions set forth in this letter. In such review, we have assumed the accuracy and completeness of all agreements, documents, records, certificates and other materials submitted to us, the conformity with the originals of all such materials submitted to us as copies (whether or not certified and including facsimiles), the authenticity of the originals of such materials and all materials submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal capacity of all natural persons, and that the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Trustee.

On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the other qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (a) the Notes will constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, and (b) the Conversion Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued by the Company upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Our opinion set forth above in clause (a) above is subject to and limited by the effect of (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and transfer, receivership, conservatorship, arrangement, moratorium and other similar laws affecting or relating to the rights of creditors generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) requirements of reasonableness, good faith, materiality and fair dealing and the discretion of the court before which any matter may be brought.


Nikola Corporation

December 12, 2023

Page 2

We have assumed that neither the issuance and delivery of, nor the performance of the Company’s obligations under, the Notes will (a) require any authorization, consent, approval or license of, or exemption from, or registration or filing with, or report or notice to, any governmental unit, agency, commission, department or other authority (a “Governmental Approval”) or (b) violate or conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its affiliates is a party or by which the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties may be bound, (ii) any Governmental Approval that may be applicable to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties, (iii) any order, decision, judgment or decree that may be applicable to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of its properties or (iv) any applicable law (other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the law of the State of New York in each case as in effect on the date hereof).

Our opinions set forth in this letter are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the law of the State of New York, in each case as in effect on the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on the date hereof and the incorporation thereof in the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP


Exhibit 99.1

Nikola Corporation Prices Offerings of Common Stock and Convertible Senior Notes

PHOENIX, December 7, 2023 — Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA) today announced the pricing of its concurrent public offerings of 133,333,334 shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $0.75 per share, and $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Green Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”). The issuance and sale of the common stock and the Notes are scheduled to settle on December 12, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. The completion of the common stock offering will not be contingent on the completion of the Notes offering, and the completion of the Notes offering will not be contingent on the completion of the common stock offering.

BTIG is acting as lead book-running manager and representative for the offerings. Baird, Bryan, Garnier & Co. and Wolfe | Nomura Alliance are acting as joint book-running managers for the offerings.

The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of Nikola and will accrue interest at a rate of 8.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2024. The Notes will mature on December 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. At any time before the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, noteholders may convert their Notes at their option. Nikola will settle conversions by delivering (i) shares of Nikola’s common stock (together, if applicable, with cash in lieu of any fractional share) at the then-applicable conversion rate; and (ii) a cash amount representing the present value of remaining scheduled coupon payments on the converted Notes. The initial conversion rate is 1,111.1111 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $0.90 per share of common stock. The initial conversion price represents a premium of approximately 20% over the public offering price per share of common stock in the common stock offering. The conversion rate and conversion price will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), for cash at Nikola’s option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 15, 2025 and before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of Nikola’s common stock exceeds 175% of the conversion price for a specified period of time. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture for the Notes) occurs prior to the maturity date, then, subject to a limited exception, noteholders may require Nikola to repurchase their Notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date.

Nikola intends to use the net proceeds from the common stock offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes and allocate an amount equal to the net proceeds from the Notes offering to finance, refinance, or make direct investments in, in whole or in part, one or more new or recently completed (within the 24 months prior to the issue date of the Notes), current or future eligible projects (such projects, “Eligible Green Projects”) in alignment with the guidelines of the Green Bond Principles, 2021 (with June 2022 Appendix I). Pending full allocation of an amount equal to the net proceeds from the offerings to Eligible Green Projects, Nikola may temporarily invest the net proceeds in cash or other short term liquid instruments, and Nikola will not knowingly invest in operations that result in an overall net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

The offerings are being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which became effective on April 14, 2022 (File No. 333-264068). Each offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement relating to that offering and an accompanying prospectus. An electronic copy of the preliminary prospectus supplement (and, when available, the final prospectus supplement) for each offering, together with the accompanying prospectus, is or will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, copies of these documents can be obtained by contacting: BTIG, LLC, 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 Attention: Syndicate Department (415-248-2200) or by email at prospectusdelivery@btig.com.

 

- 1 -


This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities referred to in this press release, nor will there be any sale of any such securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Nikola Corporation

Nikola Corporation’s mission is clear: pioneering solutions for a zero-emissions world. As an integrated truck and energy company, Nikola is transforming commercial transportation, with our Class 8 vehicles, including battery-electric and hydrogen- fuel cell electric trucks, and our energy brand, HYLA, driving the advancement of the complete hydrogen refueling ecosystem, covering supply, distribution and dispensing. Nikola headquarters is based in Phoenix, Arizona with a manufacturing facility in Coolidge, Arizona.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the completion of the offerings and the expected amount and intended use of the net proceeds. Forward-looking statements represent Nikola’s current expectations regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, the satisfaction of the closing conditions related to the offerings and risks relating to Nikola’s business, including those described in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in the preliminary prospectus supplement (or, when available, the final prospectus supplement) related to each offering and periodic reports that Nikola files from time to time with the SEC. Nikola may not consummate the offerings described in this press release and, if the offerings are consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and Nikola does not undertake to update the statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, except as may be required by law.

Investor Inquiries

investors@nikolamotor.com

 

- 2 -