UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) | (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 |
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).
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 8.01. | Other Events. |
On November 7, 2023, Sempra (the “Company”) entered into (a) forward sale agreements with each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citibank, N.A. (collectively, the “forward purchasers”), and (b) an underwriting agreement with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the “Underwriters”), and the forward sellers party thereto. The underwriting agreement provides for the public offering and sale of 17,142,858 shares of the Company’s common stock at a public offering price of $70.00 per share (the “Offering”).
The forward purchasers or their affiliates borrowed and sold an aggregate of 17,142,858 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Underwriters on November 10, 2023 in connection with the closing of the Offering on such date. The Company intends (subject to the Company’s right to elect cash or net share settlement subject to certain conditions) to issue and sell, upon physical settlement of the forward sale agreements on one or more dates specified by the Company occurring no later than December 31, 2024, an aggregate of 17,142,858 shares of the Company’s common stock to the forward purchasers at an initial forward sale price of $68.8450 per share, subject to certain adjustments as provided in the forward sale agreements.
The Company granted the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 2,571,428 shares of the Company’s common stock directly from the Company, solely to cover over-allotments, if any, which option was exercised in part for 2,099,152 shares on November 8, 2023 and the remainder of which remains exercisable until December 7, 2023.
The Company estimates its net proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock pursuant to the forward sale agreements (after deducting underwriting discounts but before deducting the Company’s other offering expenses estimated at $600,000) will be approximately $1.180 billion, subject to certain adjustments to the forward sale price pursuant to the forward sale agreements and assuming full physical settlement of the forward sale agreements. Proceeds to the Company at the closing of the Offering (after deducting underwriting discounts but before deducting the Company’s other offering expenses estimated at $600,000) were approximately $144.5 million in connection with the Underwriters’ partial exercise of their over-allotment option.
The shares are being offered under a prospectus supplement and related prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272237) (the “Shelf Registration Statement”). Copies of the underwriting agreement and each forward sale agreement are attached as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the filing date of this report. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “confident,” “may,” “can,” “potential,” “possible,” “proposed,” “in process,” “construct,” “develop,” “opportunity,” “initiative,” “target,” “outlook,” “optimistic,” “poised,” “maintain,” “continue,” “progress,” “advance,” “goal,” “aim,” “commit,” or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategy, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, intentions or expectations. Such forward–looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding the Company’s intention to physically settle the forward sale agreements, as opposed to cash or net share settlement, and statements regarding whether the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares of the Company’s common stock, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include: California wildfires, including potential liability for damages regardless of fault and any inability to recover all or a substantial portion of costs from insurance, the wildfire fund established by California Assembly Bill 1054, rates from customers or a combination thereof; decisions, investigations, inquiries, regulations, denials or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions by the (i) California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), Comisión Reguladora de Energía (Mexico’s Energy Regulatory Commission), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and other governmental and regulatory bodies and (ii) U.S., Mexico and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein and in other countries where we do business; the success of business development efforts, construction projects, acquisitions,
divestitures, and other significant transactions, including risks in (i) being able to make a final investment decision, (ii) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (iii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, and (iv) obtaining third-party consents and approvals; macroeconomic trends or other factors that could change our capital expenditure plans and their potential impact on rate base or other growth; litigation, arbitrations, property disputes and other proceedings, and changes to laws and regulations, including those related to tax and trade policy and the energy industry in Mexico; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure, all of which continue to become more pronounced; the availability, uses, sufficiency, and cost of capital resources and our ability to borrow money or otherwise raise capital on favorable terms and meet our obligations, including due to (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook, (ii) instability in the capital markets, or (iii) rising interest rates and inflation; failure of foreign governments, state-owned entities and our counterparties to honor their contracts and commitments; the impact on affordability of San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Company’s (SoCalGas) customer rates and their cost of capital and on SDG&E’s, SoCalGas’ and Sempra Infrastructure’s ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices, (ii) with respect to SDG&E’s and SoCalGas’ businesses, the cost of the clean energy transition in California, and (iii) with respect to Sempra Infrastructure’s business, volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; the impact of climate and sustainability policies, laws, rules, regulations, disclosures and trends, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and our ability to incorporate new technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of electric power, natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the transmission grid, pipeline system or limitations on the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC’s (Oncor) ability to reduce or eliminate its quarterly dividends due to regulatory and governance requirements and commitments, including by actions of Oncor’s independent directors or a minority member director; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.
These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus for the equity offering described in this report and in the reports that Sempra has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that are incorporated by reference therein. These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC’s website, sec.gov. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.
Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and Infraestructura Energética Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, SDG&E or SoCalGas, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.
None of the website references in this report are active hyperlinks, and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, any such website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, part of this document.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit |
Exhibit Description | |
1.1 | Underwriting Agreement, dated November 7, 2023, by and among Sempra and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein, and the forward sellers party thereto | |
1.2 | Confirmation of Registered Forward Transaction, dated November 7, 2023, by and between Sempra and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC | |
1.3 | Confirmation of Registered Forward Transaction, dated November 7, 2023, by and between Sempra and Citibank, N.A. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP | |
23.1 | Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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.
SEMPRA, | ||||||
(Registrant) | ||||||
Date: November 13, 2023 | By: | /s/ Peter R. Wall | ||||
Peter R. Wall | ||||||
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer |
Exhibit 1.1
Execution Version
Sempra
Common Stock, No Par Value
Underwriting Agreement
November 7, 2023
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Sempra, a California corporation (the Company), confirms its agreement (this Agreement) with each of the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (collectively, the Underwriters, which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as representatives (the Representatives), with respect to the sale (the Forward Sale) by Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (Morgan Stanley), in its capacity as an agent of the Forward Purchaser Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Citi), in its capacity as an agent of the Forward Purchaser Citibank, N.A. (each, as such, a Forward Seller and collectively, the Forward Sellers), acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of the Companys common stock, no par value (the Common Stock) to be sold by them as set forth under the headings Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from Morgan Stanley and Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from Citi, respectively, in Schedule I hereto (collectively, the Forward Shares) and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Forward Shares sold to each of them by the respective Forward Sellers as set forth under such headings in Schedule I hereto. In connection with the Forward Sale, each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as a party to a Forward Sale Agreement (as defined herein) (each, as such, a Forward Purchaser and collectively, the Forward Purchasers) has entered into a letter agreement, dated November 7, 2023 (collectively, the Forward Sale Agreements) with the Company pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell, and each Forward Purchaser has
agreed to purchase, the number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such Forward Purchasers name under the heading Number of Shares to be Purchased in Schedule I hereto, subject to the terms and conditions of the Forward Sale Agreements, including the Companys right to elect Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement (each as defined in the Forward Sale Agreements). The Forward Shares and any Company Top-Up Shares (as defined in Section 11 hereof) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Firm Shares.
In addition, the Company proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters, not more than 2,571,428 shares of Common Stock (the Option Shares) if and to the extent that you, as Representatives, shall have determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase such Option Shares granted to the Underwriters pursuant to Section 4 hereof.
The Company Top-Up Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Primary Shares. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Shares. This Agreement and the Forward Sale Agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Transaction Documents.
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-272237), which registration statement became effective upon filing under Rule 462(e) of the rules and regulations of the Commission (the Rules and Regulations) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act). Such registration statement covers the registration of Common Stock (among other securities) under the Act. Such registration statement, as amended through the date hereof (including by any post-effective amendments thereto) and including the information deemed pursuant to Rule 430B under the Rules and Regulations to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein through the date hereof, but excluding any Form T-1 (as defined below), is hereinafter referred to as the Registration Statement. The Company proposes to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations the Prospectus Supplement (as defined in Section 6(h) hereof) relating to the Shares and the prospectus dated May 26, 2023 (the Base Prospectus), and has previously advised you of all further information (financial and other) with respect to the Company set forth therein. The Base Prospectus together with the Prospectus Supplement, in their respective forms on the date hereof (being the forms in which they are to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations), including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein through the date hereof, are hereinafter referred to as, collectively, the Prospectus, except that if any revised prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares which differs from the Prospectus (whether or not such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement is required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations), the term Prospectus shall refer to such revised prospectus or prospectus supplement, as the case may be, from and after the time it is first provided to the Underwriters for such use. The term Preliminary Prospectus, as used in this Agreement, means the preliminary prospectus supplement dated November 7, 2023 and filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, together with the Base Prospectus used with such preliminary prospectus supplement in
2
connection with the marketing of the Shares, in each case as amended or supplemented by the Company, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein through the date thereof. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Agreement to documents, financial statements and schedules and other information which is contained, included, stated, described in or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such documents, financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), after the date of this Agreement which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be.
At or prior to 9:00 p.m. (New York City time) on November 7, 2023, which was the time when sales of the Shares were first made (such time, the Applicable Time), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively the Pricing Disclosure Package): the Preliminary Prospectus, any free writing prospectus (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) listed on Schedule II hereto and the pricing information set forth in Schedule II hereto.
1. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser as of the date hereof (such date being hereinafter referred to as the Representation Date), as of the Applicable Time, as of the Time of Delivery referred to in Section 5 herein and as of each Option Time of Delivery referred to in Section 4 as follows:
(a) No order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and the Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Act and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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; provided, however, that the representations and warranties in this subsection (a) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Preliminary Prospectus.
(b) The Pricing Disclosure Package, at the Applicable Time, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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 representations and warranties in this subsection (b) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Pricing Disclosure Package made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package.
3
(c) The Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, approve or refer to any written communication (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below) an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Act or Rule 134 of the Rules and Regulations, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the documents listed on Schedule II hereto and (v) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case approved in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433 of the Rules and Regulations) filed (to the extent required thereby) in accordance with the Act and when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus, did not, at the Time of Delivery and at each Option Time of Delivery will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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 representations and warranties in this subsection (c) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. 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 Shares or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representatives as described in Section 6(c) with respect to such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Preliminary Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified.
(d) The Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement as defined under Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations that became effective not earlier than three years prior to the date hereof; and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations has been received by the Company. The Registration Statement, at the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto became effective, and the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of the Representation Date, complied and comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations (including Rule 415(a) of the Rules and Regulations), and the Registration Statement did not and as of the Representation Date, at the Time of Delivery and at each Option Time of Delivery does not and will 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 not misleading. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Act and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. The Prospectus, at the Representation Date (unless the term Prospectus refers to a prospectus which has been provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Shares which differs from the Prospectus filed with the
4
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations, in which case at the time it is first provided to the Underwriters for such use), at the Time of Delivery and at each Option Time of Delivery, does not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or 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 representations and warranties in this subsection (d) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or the information contained in any Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of a trustee under the Trust Indenture Act filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (a Form T-1).
(e) The documents filed by the Company and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and, when read together and with the other information in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the respective times the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective, at the Representation Date, at the Applicable Time, at the Time of Delivery and at each Option Time of Delivery, did not, do not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or 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 Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material 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 or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and, since the date as of which information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has not been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management or consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(g) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of California, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial
5
position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and each of Southern California Gas Company, a California corporation (SCGC), San Diego Gas & Electric Company, a California corporation (SDG&E), Pacific Enterprises, a California corporation (PE), Enova Corporation, a California corporation (Enova), Sempra Infrastructure Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (SI), Pacific Enterprises International, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (PEI), Sempra Energy International, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (SEI), Sempra Global Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (SGH) and Sempra Texas Holdings Corp., a Texas corporation, (Sempra Texas and, together with SCGC, SDG&E, PE, Enova, SI, PEI, SEI and SGH, the Significant Subsidiaries), has been duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing as a corporation or limited partnership, as the case may be, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization.
(h) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description thereof contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock and partnership interests, as applicable, of each Significant Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are (solely in the case of shares of capital stock) fully paid and non-assessable and, except for the outstanding preferred stock of SCGC and certain outstanding partnership interests of SI (and its direct and indirect subsidiaries PEI, SEI and SGH), are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.
(i) The Primary Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and sale by the Company and, if and when Primary Shares are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Primary Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Primary Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights. A number of shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of the Share Caps (as such term is defined in the Forward Sale Agreements) set forth in the Forward Sale Agreements has been duly authorized and reserved for issuance under the Forward Sale Agreements and, when any such Common Stock is issued and delivered by the Company to the applicable Forward Purchaser pursuant to the applicable Forward Sale Agreement against payment of any consideration required to be paid by such Forward Purchaser pursuant to the terms of such Forward Sale Agreement, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance thereof will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.
(j) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(k) Each Forward Sale Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of such agreement by the applicable Forward Purchaser, constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
6
(l) The issue and sale of the Shares, the issue, sale and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon settlement of each Forward Sale Agreement and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles or Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, except, solely in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except such as have been obtained under the Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters.
(m) The statements set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, each as amended or supplemented, if applicable, under the caption Description of Capital Stock, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Common Stock, the Companys authorized but unissued preferred stock, no par value (the Preferred Stock), the Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, provisions of the laws of the State of California, the terms of the Companys 4.875% Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (the Series C Preferred Stock); the statements under the caption Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest), insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the Forward Sale Agreements and the laws and other documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects; and the statements under the caption Description of Capital Stock in Exhibit 4.2 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the Common Stock, the Companys authorized and unissued Preferred Stock, the Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, the laws of the State of California or the terms of the Series C Preferred Stock are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.
(n) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its Articles or Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or other organizational documents or (ii) in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except in the case of clause (ii) for such defaults which,
7
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(o) Other than as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject, except for such proceedings which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would not reasonably be expected individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole and (ii) to the Companys knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened in writing or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened in writing by others.
(p) The Company is not and after giving effect to (i) the offering and sale of the Primary Shares and (ii) the issuance, sale and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon settlement of each Forward Sale Agreement, will not be, an investment company, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Investment Company Act).
(q) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(r) To the Companys knowledge, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of Oncor Electric Delivery Holdings Company LLC (Oncor Holdings) and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Act and the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
(s) The financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included (if applicable) and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified; and, except as stated therein, such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis. To the Companys knowledge, the financial statements of Oncor Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Oncor Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified; and, except as stated therein, to the Companys knowledge, such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis.
8
(t) The Company and each of its consolidated subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any material differences.
(u) The Company and each of its consolidated subsidiaries maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(v) The Company and its subsidiaries possess such certificates, authorities or permits issued by the appropriate state, federal, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct their businesses as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess such certificates, authorities or permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; 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, authority 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 consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(w) The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with, and conduct their respective businesses in conformity with, all applicable state, federal, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the operation and ownership of a public utility, including, without limitation, those relating to the distribution and transmission of natural gas, except to the extent that any failure so to comply or conform would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(x) The Company and its subsidiaries hold all franchises, certificates of public convenience and necessity, permits, licenses and easements necessary to own, operate and maintain their properties as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except to the extent that such failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(y) Except as otherwise described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation
9
thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, Hazardous Materials) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, Environmental Laws), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violations, investigations or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.
(z) To the knowledge of the Company, since December 31, 2022, there has not been any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management or consolidated financial position, members equity or results of operations of Oncor Holdings and its subsidiaries (including Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC), taken as a whole.
(aa) The Company has not (A) engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication (as defined below) or (B) authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications; the Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications (as defined below). Testing-the-Waters Communication means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Act or Rule 163B promulgated under Section 5 of the Act. Written Testing-the-Waters Communication means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405.
Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser, and the officer(s) signing such certificate shall have no personal liability for any representation or warranty so made.
2. Each Forward Seller, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company and each Underwriter as of the Representation Date, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Time of Delivery referred to in Section 5 as follows:
(a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Forward Seller, and, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Time of Delivery, such Forward Seller will have the full right, power and authority to sell, transfer and deliver the Forward Shares, to the extent that it is required to transfer such Forward Shares hereunder.
10
(b) The Forward Sale Agreement entered into by it or its affiliate as Forward Purchaser has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Forward Purchaser, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of such Forward Sale Agreement by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of such Forward Purchaser, enforceable against such Forward Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles.
(c) Such Forward Seller at the Time of Delivery will have the free and unqualified right to transfer the number of Forward Shares that it is required to deliver to the extent that it is required to transfer such Forward Shares hereunder, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party; and upon delivery of such Forward Shares and payment of the purchase price therefor, as herein contemplated, assuming each of the Underwriters has no notice of any adverse claim, each of the Underwriters will have the free and unqualified right to transfer any such Forward Shares purchased by it from such Forward Seller, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.
3. The Company and each Forward Seller understands that upon authorization by the Representatives of the release of the Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented.
4. Agreements to Transfer, Sell and Purchase:
(a)
(1) | On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, each Forward Seller, severally and not jointly, agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from such Forward Seller, at a purchase price of $68.845 per share (the Purchase Price), that number of Forward Shares set forth in Schedule I opposite the name of such Underwriter in the column pertaining to such Forward Seller. |
(2) | On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company, at the Purchase Price, a number of Company Top-Up Shares, if any, (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Company Top-Up Shares as the number of Forward Shares set forth in the column captioned Total Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from the Forward Sellers in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Forward Shares. |
11
(b) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, a total of up to 2,571,428 Option Shares at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared, paid or payable by the Company on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Option Shares (the Option Purchase Price), solely to cover over-allotments, if any. The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, by giving written notice (an exercise notice) to the Company not later than 30 days after the date of the Prospectus Supplement. Any such exercise notice shall specify the number of Option Shares to be purchased by the Underwriters and the date on which such Option Shares are to be purchased. Each purchase date of Option Shares must be at least two business days after the exercise notice is sent to the Company and may not be earlier than the closing date for the Firm Shares nor later than ten business days after the date of such exercise notice. Following delivery of an exercise notice, on each day, if any, that Option Shares are to be purchased (each an Option Time of Delivery), each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase the number of Option Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as the Representatives may determine) that bears the same proportion to the total number of Option Shares to be purchased at such Option Time of Delivery as the number of Forward Shares set forth in the column captioned Total Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from the Forward Sellers in Schedule I hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Forward Shares.
(c) If with respect to the Forward Shares (i) any of the conditions to effectiveness of a Forward Sale Agreement set forth therein have not been satisfied at the Time of Delivery; (ii) the Company has not performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement on or prior to the Time of Delivery; or (iii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 8 hereof have not been satisfied on or prior to the Time of Delivery (clauses (i) through (iii), together, the Conditions), each Forward Seller, in its sole discretion, may elect not to borrow and deliver for sale to the Underwriters the Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by such Forward Seller hereunder. In addition, in the event that a Forward Purchaser determines in its commercially reasonable judgment, that it (or its affiliated Forward Seller) (A) is unable to borrow and deliver for sale under this Agreement a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by such Forward Seller hereunder or (B) would incur a stock loan cost of more than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum to do so, then, in each case, such Forward Seller shall only be required to deliver for sale to the Underwriters at the Time of Delivery the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that such Forward Seller is able to so borrow at or below such cost. If a Forward Seller elects pursuant to this paragraph not to borrow and deliver for sale to the Underwriters at the Time of Delivery any or all of the Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by it hereunder, then such Forward Seller shall notify the Company no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding the Time of Delivery.
12
5. Payment of the Purchase Price for, and delivery of certificates (if any) for, the Firm Shares shall be made at the office of Latham & Watkins LLP, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company, at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time), on November 10, 2023, or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called the Time of Delivery). Payment shall be made to the Company, in the case of any Company Top-Up Shares, and to the applicable Forward Seller, in the case of the applicable Forward Shares, by wire transfer of Federal (same day) funds to the account specified by the Company or the applicable Forward Seller, as applicable, to the Representatives at least forty-eight hours in advance against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates (or book-entry credits) for the Shares to be purchased by them. Payment of the Option Purchase Price for any Option Shares purchased by the Underwriters shall be made to the Company, by wire transfer of Federal (same day) funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives at least forty-eight hours in advance against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates (or book-entry credits) for the Option Shares to be purchased by them. Certificates (or book-entry credits) for the Shares shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours prior notice to the Company and the Forward Sellers. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Shares which it has agreed to purchase. Morgan Stanley, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Shares to be purchased by any Underwriter whose check has not been received by the Time of Delivery or Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, but such payment shall not release such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. The certificates (if any) for the Shares will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representatives not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time), on the last business day prior to the Time of Delivery or Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, in New York, New York.
6. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters and Forward Sellers:
(a) To prepare the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commissions close of business on the second business day following the date hereof or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, after the date hereof and on or prior to the Relevant Date (as defined below) which shall be reasonably disapproved by the Representatives promptly after reasonable written notice thereof; to advise the Representatives promptly of any such amendment or supplement after the Relevant Date and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; 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 for so long as the delivery of a prospectus (or a notice pursuant to Rule 173 of the Rules and Regulations) is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares, and during such same period to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives written notice thereof, of the
13
time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with the Commission, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the Act concerning the Registration Statement, of the Company becoming the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Act in connection with the offering of the Shares, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Shares or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order. As used herein, the term Relevant Date means the 30th day after the date of the Prospectus Supplement unless, on or prior to such 30th day, the Underwriters shall have given an exercise notice to the Company as contemplated by Section 4(b) hereof specifying an Option Time of Delivery that is after such 30th day, in which case the Relevant Date shall be such Option Time of Delivery; provided, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Underwriters shall have purchased all of the Option Shares prior to the 30th day after the date of the Prospectus, then the term Relevant Date shall be the last date on which the Underwriters shall have purchased Option Shares.
(b) [Intentionally Omitted];
(c) If at any time after the date hereof any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to notify the Representatives and, upon their request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance;
(d) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws of such domestic jurisdictions and (with the prior consent of the Company) foreign jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;
(e) Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day succeeding the date hereof, or such later time or date as agreed to by the Company and the Representatives, and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus
14
in New York City, as amended or supplemented, in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus (or a notice pursuant to Rule 173 of the Rules and Regulations) is required at any time in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any securities dealer participating in the offering of the Shares as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance;
(f) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen months after the date hereof, an earnings statement of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);
(g) Without the prior written consent of each of the Representatives, with the authorization to release this lock-up on behalf of the Underwriters, the Company will not, during the period from and including the date hereof through and including the 60th day after the date hereof (the Lock-Up Period), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (collectively, Convertible Securities) or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock, any such Convertible Securities or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, any Convertible Securities or any such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) file any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) the Shares, if any, sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder, (b) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of or exchange for a Convertible Security outstanding on the date hereof, (c) the issuance by the Company of Common Stock or Convertible Securities in connection with any bona fide merger, acquisition, business combination or other strategic or commercial relationship, to a third party or a group of third parties, provided that (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock (including for purposes of such calculation the shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion, exercise, exchange or redemption of any such Convertible Securities) that the Company may sell or issue or agree to sell pursuant to this clause (c) shall not exceed 5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding immediately following the Time of Delivery, and
15
(ii) such party or parties agree (or have already agreed as of the date hereof) in writing to restrictions substantially similar to those described in clauses (1) and (2) above, the term of which restrictions shall not expire prior to the end of the Lock-Up Period referred to in this paragraph, (d) the issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock or units or phantom shares convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock currently outstanding or hereafter granted or issued pursuant to benefit plans, long-term incentive plans, savings (e.g. 401(k)) plans and other compensation plans of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in which employees and/or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries participate and which are referred to in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the documents filed with the Commission prior to the date hereof that are incorporated by reference therein, or the filing of a registration statement or a post-effective amendment thereto relating to any such plan, (e) the issuance by the Company of any shares of Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock or units or phantom shares convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock currently outstanding or hereafter granted or issued pursuant to dividend reinvestment or direct stock purchase plans and which are referred to in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the documents filed with the Commission prior to the date hereof that are incorporated by reference therein, or the filing of a registration statement or a post-effective amendment thereto relating to any such plan, or (f) transactions under or pursuant to the Forward Sale Agreements, including the issuance and transfer of Common Stock to the Forward Purchasers pursuant thereto.
(h) Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Company will prepare a prospectus supplement, dated the date hereof (the Prospectus Supplement), containing the terms of the Shares, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as may be required by the Act or the Rules and Regulations or as the Representatives and the Company deem appropriate, and will file or transmit for filing with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations copies of the Prospectus (including such Prospectus Supplement);
(i) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares and the sale and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the Forward Sale Agreements as set forth in the Prospectus;
(j) The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission; provided, however, that the prior consent of the Representatives and the Company shall be deemed to have been given in respect of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule II hereto; and provided further, however, that the Underwriters are authorized to use the information with respect to the final terms of the Shares in communications conveying information relating to the offering to investors. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representatives or otherwise permitted by the immediately preceding sentence is hereinafter referred to as a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus. For purposes of clarity, it is understood and agreed that the term Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as used in this Agreement, includes all Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses; and
16
(k) To use its reasonable best efforts to list and maintain the listing of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE).
7. The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Companys counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing any agreement among Underwriters, the Transaction Documents, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(d) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda; (iv) any filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, any required review by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Shares (up to a maximum aggregate amount of $5,000); (v) the cost of preparing the certificates representing the Shares, if any; (vi) any fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares and the shares of Common Stock deliverable to each Forward Purchaser pursuant to each Forward Sale Agreement; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 9 and 13 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.
8. The obligations of the Underwriters shall be subject, in the discretion of the Representatives, and the obligations of each Forward Seller shall be subject, in the discretion of such Forward Seller, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company in or incorporated by reference in this Agreement are, at and as of the Time of Delivery and each Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) of the Rules and Regulations and in accordance with Section 6(a) hereof); no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information from the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives and each Forward Sellers reasonable satisfaction.
17
(b) Counsel for the Underwriters shall have furnished to the Representatives, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers such written opinion or opinions, dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, with respect to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as well as such other related matters as the Representatives, Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(c) [Intentionally Omitted].
(d) Latham & Watkins LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers their written opinion or opinions and negative assurances letter, dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, in the forms previously agreed and satisfactory to the Representatives, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers.
(e) On the date hereof at a time prior to the execution of this Agreement, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter with respect to the Company, dated the date hereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants comfort letters to underwriters, and at the Time of Delivery, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, reaffirming the statements made in their letter dated the date hereof, except that the specified date referred to in such letter delivered on the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, shall be a date not more than three days prior to the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, and with respect to such letter dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.
(f) On the date hereof at a time prior to the execution of this Agreement, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter with respect to Oncor Holdings, dated the date hereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants comfort letters to underwriters, and at the Time of Delivery, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, reaffirming the statements made in their letter dated the date hereof, except that the specified date referred to in such letter delivered on the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, shall be a date not more than three days prior to the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, and with respect to such letter dated the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.
18
(g) The lock-up letters, each substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, from each of the officers and directors of the Company listed on Exhibit B hereto relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities, delivered to the Representatives on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect at the Time of Delivery and the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable.
(h) The Forward Sale Agreements shall be in full force and effect at the Time of Delivery.
(i) The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder at the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, and the shares of Common Stock deliverable to each Forward Purchaser pursuant to each Forward Sale Agreement whether pursuant to Physical Settlement, Net Share Settlement, as a result of an Acceleration Event (as such terms are defined in the Forward Sale Agreements) or otherwise, in each case, shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
(j) (i) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall have not sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, as amended prior to the date hereof, any material 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 or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as amended prior to the date hereof, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as amended prior to the date hereof, there shall not have been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management or consolidated financial position, shareholders equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as amended prior to the date hereof, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the Representatives so material and adverse to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented.
(k) At or after the Applicable Time (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded any of the Companys debt securities by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act, and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Companys debt securities, in each case described in clause (i) or (ii) other than such a downgrade or announcement as set forth or contemplated in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the caption Risk FactorsRisks Related to All Sempra BusinessesCredit rating agencies may downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook.
19
(l) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the NYSE or the Nasdaq Global Market; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Companys securities on the NYSE; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New York or California State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, if the effect of any such event specified in this clause (iv) in the judgment of the Representatives (A) is material and adverse and (B) makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented.
(m) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 6(e) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the second business day succeeding the date hereof.
(n) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Representatives, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers at the Time of Delivery and each Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, a certificate of officers of the Company satisfactory to the Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to the Time of Delivery or the relevant Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (j) of this Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.
9. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such 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 or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other prospectus relating to the Shares or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.
20
(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, such Forward Seller or such Forward Purchaser may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other prospectus relating to the Shares or any such amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the following: the information in the fourth paragraph of text under the caption Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the terms of the offering by the Underwriters, and the information in the three paragraphs of text (solely with respect to the statements attributable to the Underwriters) under the subcaption Price Stabilization and Short Positions under the caption Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest) in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, insofar as such information relates to stabilization, penalty bids, overallotment, short positions and purchases to cover short positions by the Underwriters; and will reimburse the Company, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company, such Forward Seller or such Forward Purchaser in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party under such subsection to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other
21
expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Representatives shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Underwriters against the Company under this Section 9 if the Representatives shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses available to the Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons that are different from or additional to those available to the Company and its officers, directors, employees and controlling persons, and the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers against the Company or any Underwriter under this Section 9 if the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers shall have reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal defenses available to the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons that are different from or additional to those available to the Company and its officers, directors, employees and controlling persons (if the indemnifying party is the Company) or different from or additional to those available to the Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (if the indemnifying party is any Underwriter), and in each case the fees and expenses of a single separate counsel for the Underwriters and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (in addition to local counsel) shall be paid by the Company and the fees and expenses of a single separate counsel for the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (in addition to local counsel) shall be paid by the Company or the applicable Underwriter or Underwriters, as the case may be. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement or compromise of, or the consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder effected without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but, if settled or compromised with the indemnifying partys consent, or if judgment shall be entered following consent to the entry of such judgment given with the indemnifying partys consent, or if there shall otherwise be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each indemnified party against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several, by reason of such settlement, compromise or judgment, as the case may be. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the 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.
22
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriters, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers on the other, from the offering of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then in each case each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions 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, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as (x) in the case of the Company, the total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company (such total net proceeds shall include the total proceeds that would be received by the Company pursuant to the Forward Sale Agreements assuming full Physical Settlement (as defined in the Forward Sale Agreements) of the Forward Sale Agreements at the Initial Forward Price (as defined in the Forward Sale Agreements)), (y) in the case of the Underwriters, the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters from the offering of the Shares as set forth in the Prospectus and (z) in the case of the Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers, the aggregate Spread (as defined in the Forward Sale Agreements) retained by the Forward Purchasers under the Forward Sale Agreements, net of any costs associated therewith, as reasonably determined by the Forward Purchasers, bear to an amount equal to the sum of the amounts set forth in (x), (y) and (z) above. The relative fault 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 and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Underwriters and the Forward Sellers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
23
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to the Shares and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each director, officer, employee and agent of any Underwriter, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and employee of the Company, any Forward Seller or any Forward Purchaser and to each person, if any, who controls the Company, any Forward Seller or any Forward Purchaser within the meaning of the Act.
10. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Shares which it has agreed to purchase under this Agreement at the Time of Delivery or any Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, the Representatives may in their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives to purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Time of Delivery or Option Time of Delivery, as applicable, for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term Underwriter as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement.
(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date under this Agreement and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Forward Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under this Agreement) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
24
(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, in the case of a default in the purchase of Shares at an Option Time of Delivery that is after the Time of Delivery, the obligation of the Company to issue and sell and of the several Underwriters to purchase the Option Shares that would otherwise have been issued and sold at such Option Time of Delivery) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, any Forward Seller or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 7 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 9 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.
11. (a) In the event that (i) a Forward Seller elects not to borrow Shares pursuant to the first sentence of Section 4(c) hereof, or (ii) a Forward Purchaser determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it (or its affiliated Forward Seller) (A) is unable to borrow and deliver for sale under this Agreement a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by such Forward Seller hereunder or (B) would incur a stock loan cost of more than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum to do so, then, in each such case, upon notice by such Forward Seller to the Company (which notice shall be delivered no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding the Time of Delivery), the Company shall issue and sell to the Underwriters, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) hereof, in whole but not in part, an aggregate number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by the applicable Forward Seller hereunder that such Forward Seller is not required to so deliver and sell to the Underwriters. In connection with any such issuance and sale by the Company, the Company or the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Time of Delivery for one business day in order to effect any required changes in any documents or arrangements. Any shares of Common Stock sold by the Company to the Underwriters pursuant to this Section 11(a) in lieu of any Forward Shares are referred to herein a the Company Top-Up Shares.
(b) A Forward Seller shall not have any liability whatsoever for any Forward Shares that the Forward Seller does not deliver and sell to the Underwriters or any other party if (i) all of the relevant Conditions are not satisfied on or prior to the Time of Delivery and such Forward Seller validly elects pursuant to the first sentence of Section 4(c) hereof not to deliver and sell to the Underwriters the Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by such Forward Seller hereunder, or (ii) the relevant Forward Purchaser determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it (or its affiliated Forward Seller) (A) is unable to borrow and deliver for sale under this Agreement a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Forward Shares otherwise deliverable by such Forward Seller hereunder or (B) would incur a stock loan cost of more than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum to do so (it being understood that the foregoing exclusion of liability shall not apply in the case of fraud and/or any intentional misconduct).
25
12. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the several Forward Sellers and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Forward Seller or any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Forward Seller or any Underwriter, or the Company or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
13. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 10 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter with respect to the Shares except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof; but, if for any other reason Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers through the Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser with respect to the Shares except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof.
14. In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be designated for such purpose in this Agreement.
All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, overnight courier or facsimile transmission to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, with a copy to the Legal Department and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile: 1-646-291-1469; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail or overnight courier to Sempra, 488 8th Avenue, San Diego, California 92101, Attention: Secretary, with a copy to the General Counsel; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, overnight courier or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters Questionnaire, or email or facsimile transmission constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.
26
15. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers, the Forward Purchasers (to the extent provided for herein), the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections 9 and 12 hereof, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, each Forward Seller and each Forward Purchaser, the officers, directors and employees of the Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter or any Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.
16. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters, Forward Sellers and Forward Purchasers are acting solely in the capacity of arms length contractual counterparties to the Company with respect to the offering of the Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, Forward Sellers or Forward Purchasers have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter or any Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers and shall not be on behalf of the Company, and none of the activities of the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation or investment advice by the Underwriters, the Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers with respect to any entity or natural person.
17. (a) In the event that any Underwriter or Forward Seller that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter or Forward Seller 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 or Forward Seller that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter or Forward Seller becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter or Forward Seller 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.
27
For the purposes of this Section 17, 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.
18. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, business day shall mean, unless otherwise expressly stated, any day when the Commissions office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.
19. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
20. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in the Transaction Documents or in any instruments, agreements, certificates, officers certificates, Company orders, legal opinions, negative assurance letters or other documents entered into or delivered pursuant to or in connection with the Transaction Documents shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, pdf, tif or jpg) and electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign), and the Transaction Documents and any instruments, agreements, certificates, officers certificates, legal opinions, Company orders, negative assurance letters or other documents entered into or delivered pursuant to or in connection with the Transaction Documents may be executed, attested and transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means and formats. 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)
28
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us one for the Company and for each of the Representatives and Forward Sellers plus one for each counsel counterparts hereof.
Very truly yours, | ||
Sempra | ||
By: | /s/ Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Name: | Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Title: | Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
By: | /s/ Mauricio Dominguez | |
Name: | Mauricio Dominguez | |
Title: | Vice President | |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Ashwani Khubani | |
Name: | Ashwani Khubani | |
Title: | Managing Director Global Head of Power, Utilities & Renewables Corporate Banking |
In each case acting in its capacity as a Representative of the several Underwriters, on behalf of each of the Underwriters
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
By: | /s/ Mauricio Dominguez | |
Name: | Mauricio Dominguez | |
Title: | Vice President | |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Ashwani Khubani | |
Name: | Ashwani Khubani | |
Title: | Managing Director Global Head of Power, Utilities & Renewables Corporate Banking |
In each case acting in its capacity as Forward Seller
[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
Underwriters |
Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from Morgan Stanley |
Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from Citi |
Total Number of Forward Shares to be Purchased from the Forward Sellers |
|||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
5,984,416 | 3,989,611 | 9,974,027 | |||||||||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
4,114,286 | 2,742,857 | 6,857,143 | |||||||||
WR Securities, LLC |
187,013 | 124,675 | 311,688 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
10,285,715 | 6,857,143 | 17,142,858 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule I-1
Forward Purchaser |
Number of Shares to be Purchased | |
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC |
10,285,715 | |
Citibank, N.A. |
6,857,143 |
Schedule I-2
SCHEDULE II
1. Free Writing Prospectuses: None.
2. Number of Shares: 17,142,858 Firm Shares and up to 2,571,428 Option Shares, solely to cover over-allotments, if any.
3. Public offering price: $70.00.
Exhibit A
Form of Lock-up Letter
, 2023
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (collectively, the Representatives) propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the Underwriting Agreement) with Sempra (the Company), providing for the public offering (the Public Offering) by the several Underwriters named therein, including the Representatives (collectively, the Underwriters), of shares (the Shares) of the common stock, no par value, of the Company (the Common Stock).
To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering to continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period (the Lock-Up Period) commencing on and including the date hereof through and including the date that is 60 days after the date of the final prospectus supplement relating to the Public Offering (the date of such prospectus supplement, the Public Offering Date), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), by the undersigned or any other securities so beneficially owned that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (Convertible Securities) or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or any Convertible Securities or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock, Convertible Securities, or any such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to:
(a) transfers of shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities as a bona fide gift, provided that (i) each donee shall sign and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter (provided that (i) if the undersigned transfers shares of Common Stock and Convertible Securities which, in the aggregate, represent no more than 5,000 common share equivalents (determined as provided below) to donees who are bona fide charities, no such bona fide charities shall be required to deliver such lock-up letters to the Representatives, but (ii) if the undersigned transfers shares of Common Stock and Convertible Securities which, in the aggregate, represent more than 5,000 common share equivalents
(determined as provided below) to donees who are bona fide charities, then all such charities must deliver such lock-up letters to the Representatives), and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public announcement, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period, other than a filing on Form 4 or a periodic report containing the disclosure required by Item 408 of Regulation S-K (if applicable), so long as such Form 4 or periodic report expressly states that such reduction is the result of a bona fide gift. For purposes of this letter, (1) each share of Common Stock shall be deemed to represent one common share equivalent and (2) a Convertible Security shall be deemed to represent a number of common share equivalents equal to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion, exercise, redemption or exchange, as the case may be, of such Convertible Security,
(b) transfers of shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities either during the undersigneds lifetime or on death (i) by will or intestacy, (ii) to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned and/or a member or members of his or her immediate family, or (iii) by operation of law, including domestic relations order, provided that each such transferee shall sign and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter. For purposes of this letter, immediate family means any relationship by blood, marriage, domestic partnership or adoption, no more remote than a first cousin,
(c) transfers of shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction approved by the Companys board of directors and made to all holders of the Companys securities involving a change of control of the Company, provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other such transaction is not completed, such shares of Common Stock and Convertible Securities held by the undersigned shall remain subject to the provisions of this letter. For purposes of this letter, change of control means the consummation of any bona fide third party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction the result of which is that any person (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), or group of persons, other than the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) of a majority of the total voting power of the outstanding voting stock of the Company,
(d) the forfeiture, cancellation, withholding, surrender or delivery of shares of Common Stock to the Company to satisfy any income, employment and/or social security tax withholding and/or remittance obligations in connection with the vesting during the Lock-Up Period of any restricted stock unit, restricted shares, performance share unit or phantom shares; provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such forfeiture, cancellation, withholding, surrender or delivery, other than a filing on Form 4 or a periodic report containing the disclosure required by Item 408 of Regulation S-K (if applicable),
(e) distributions of shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities to limited partners, members or stockholders of the undersigned, provided that each distributee shall sign and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter,
Exhibit A-2
(f) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Common Stock, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Common Stock during the Lock-Up Period and no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act or otherwise regarding the establishment of such plan shall be required or shall be voluntarily made by or on behalf of the undersigned or the Company other than a periodic report containing the disclosure required by Item 408 of Regulation S-K, or
(g) sales of Common Stock pursuant to any trading plan complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that has been entered into by the undersigned prior to the date of this letter or pursuant to any amendment or replacement of any such trading plan, so long as the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such original trading plan is not increased; provided that if such sales are required to be reported on Form 4 pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Period, or the undersigned voluntarily effects any public filing or report regarding such sales during the Lock-Up Period, then the undersigned shall disclose in such filing or report that such sale was made pursuant to an existing Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.
The undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the Lock-Up Period, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of any shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities. In addition, the undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Companys transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigneds shares of Common Stock except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing precludes the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transaction designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition of any shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, even if any such sale or disposition transaction or transactions would be made or executed by or on behalf of someone other than the undersigned.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this letter in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this letter is irrevocable and agrees that this letter is and will be a valid, binding and enforceable agreement of the undersigned and shall be binding upon the undersigneds heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that none of the Underwriters has made any recommendation or provided any investment or other advice to the undersigned with respect to this letter or the subject matter hereof, and the undersigned has consulted its own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory, tax and other advisors with respect to this letter and the subject matter hereof to the extent the undersigned has deemed appropriate.
Exhibit A-3
This letter shall lapse and become null and void, and the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this letter, if the Public Offering Date shall not have occurred on or before January 12, 2024, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof that survive termination) shall automatically terminate or be terminated prior to payment for, and delivery of, the Shares (excluding shares that the Underwriters have the option to purchase).
Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company, the Underwriters and any other parties thereto.
The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import herein shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, pdf, tif or jpg) and electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign), and this letter may be executed, attested and transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means and formats. 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.
This letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
Exhibit A-4
Very truly yours, |
|
(name of stockholder please print) |
|
(signature) |
Exhibit A-5
Exhibit B
Lock-up Signatories
Directors:
1. | Andrés Conesa |
2. | Pablo A. Ferrero |
3. | Richard J. Mark |
4. | Jeffrey W. Martin |
5. | Bethany J. Mayer |
6. | Michael N. Mears |
7. | Jack T. Taylor |
8. | Cynthia J. Warner |
9. | James C. Yardley |
Officers:
1. | Trevor I. Mihalik |
2. | Kevin C. Sagara |
3. | Karen L. Sedgwick |
4. | Peter R. Wall |
Exhibit B-1
Exhibit 1.2
Execution Version
From: |
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC | |
1585 Broadway, 6th Floor | ||
New York, NY 10036 | ||
Attention: Joel Carter, Scott Finz | ||
Date: |
November 7, 2023 | |
To: |
Sempra | |
488 8th Avenue | ||
San Diego, CA 92101 | ||
Attention: General Counsel & Treasurer | ||
Re: |
Registered Forward Transaction |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and conditions of the Transaction entered into between Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (Dealer) and Sempra (Counterparty) on the Trade Date specified below (the Transaction). This letter agreement constitutes a Confirmation as referred to in the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement specified below.
The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions) and the 2006 ISDA Definitions (including the Annex thereto) (the 2006 Definitions and together with the Equity Definitions, the Definitions), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and the 2006 Definitions, the Equity Definitions will govern. In the event of any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern.
Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.
1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation, together with any other Confirmations for registered forward transactions entered into between Dealer and Counterparty (each, an Additional Confirmation), shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement (the Agreement) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (without any Schedule but (i) with the elections set forth in this Confirmation and (ii) with the election that the Cross Default provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement will apply to Dealer as if (a) the phrase , or becoming capable at such time of being declared, were deleted from Section 5(a)(vi)(1) of the Agreement; (b) the Threshold Amount with respect to Dealer were three percent of the shareholders equity of Dealer; (c) the following language were added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement: Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under subsection (2) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default if (x) the default was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (y) funds were available to enable the party to make the payment when due; and (z) the payment is made within two Local Business Days of such partys receipt of written notice of its failure to pay.; and (d) the term Specified Indebtedness had the meaning specified in Section 14 of the Agreement, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a partys banking business). In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that, other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates and the Transactions to which the Additional Confirmations, if any, relate (each, an Additional Transaction), no Transaction shall be governed by the Agreement. For purposes of the Equity Definitions, the Transaction is a Share Forward Transaction.
2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows: | ||
General Terms: | ||
Trade Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Effective Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Seller: |
Counterparty | |
Buyer: |
Dealer | |
Shares: |
Shares of common stock of Counterparty, without par value (Ticker Symbol: SRE) | |
Number of Shares: |
Initially, as set forth in Schedule I (the Initial Number of Shares). On each Settlement Date, the Number of Shares shall be reduced by the number of Settlement Shares settled on such date. | |
Maturity Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Initial Forward Price: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Forward Price: |
(a) On the Effective Date, the Initial Forward Price; and | |
(b) on each calendar day thereafter, (i) the Forward Price as of the immediately preceding calendar day multiplied by (ii) the sum of 1 and the Daily Rate for such day; provided that, on each Forward Price Reduction Date, the Forward Price in effect on such date shall be the Forward Price otherwise in effect on such date, minus the Forward Price Reduction Amount for such Forward Price Reduction Date. | ||
Daily Rate: |
For any day, a rate (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) (a) the Overnight Bank Rate (or if the Overnight Bank Rate is no longer available, a successor rate selected by the Calculation Agent in its commercially reasonable discretion) for such day minus (b) the Spread divided by (ii) 365. | |
Overnight Bank Rate: |
For any day, the rate set forth for such day opposite the caption Overnight bank funding rate as displayed on the page OBFR01 <Index> <GO> on the BLOOMBERG Professional Service, or any successor page; provided that, if no such rate appears for a particular day on such page, the Overnight Bank Rate for the immediately preceding day for which a rate does so appear shall be used for such day. | |
Spread: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Prepayment: |
Not Applicable | |
Variable Obligation: |
Not Applicable | |
Forward Price Reduction Dates: |
As set forth on Schedule I, subject to adjustment by written notice, no later than January 31, 2024, from Counterparty to Dealer, in respect of one or more originally scheduled Forward Price Reduction Dates, |
2
each occurring on or after March 20, 2024 so long as (i) each such adjusted Forward Price Reduction Date corresponds to an actual ex-dividend date in respect of a regular cash dividend, (ii) such notice from Counterparty contains a representation to Dealer that Counterparty is not, as of the date of such notice, aware of any material nonpublic information regarding Counterparty or the Shares and (iii) each such ex-dividend date occurs no earlier than February 2, 2024. | ||
Forward Price Reduction Amounts: |
For each Forward Price Reduction Date, the Forward Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite such date on Schedule I. | |
Exchange: |
The New York Stock Exchange | |
Related Exchange(s): |
All Exchanges | |
Clearance System: |
The Depository Trust Company | |
Market Disruption Event: |
Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the first sentence in its entirety with the following: Market Disruption Event means in respect of a Share or an Index, the occurrence or existence of (i) a Trading Disruption, (ii) an Exchange Disruption, (iii) an Early Closure or (iv) a Regulatory Disruption, in each case that the Calculation Agent determines is material. | |
Early Closure: |
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | |
Regulatory Disruption: |
Any event that Dealer, based on the advice of counsel, determines makes it reasonably necessary or appropriate with regard to any legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements or related policies and procedures applicable to the Transaction for Dealer to refrain from or decrease any market activity in connection with the Transaction; provided that such policies and procedures have been adopted by Dealer in good faith and are generally applicable in similar situations and applied in a non-discriminatory manner. | |
Settlement: | ||
Settlement Currency: |
USD (all amounts shall be converted to the Settlement Currency in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner by the Calculation Agent) | |
Settlement Date: |
Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date and up to and including the Maturity Date that is either: | |
(a) designated by Counterparty as a Settlement Date in a written notice (a Settlement Notice) that satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements, if applicable, and is delivered to Dealer not later than the relevant Settlement Notice Date (as specified in Schedule I); provided that, if Dealer shall fully unwind its hedge with respect to the portion of the Number of Shares to be settled during an Unwind Period, Dealer may, by written notice to Counterparty, specify any Scheduled Trading Day prior to such original Settlement Date as the Settlement Date (with prior notice to Counterparty at least two Scheduled Trading Days prior to such specified Settlement Date); or |
3
(b) designated by Dealer as a Settlement Date pursuant to the Termination Settlement provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below; | ||
provided that the Maturity Date will be deemed to be designated a Settlement Date if on such date the Number of Shares for which a Settlement Date has not already been designated is greater than zero. | ||
Settlement Shares: |
(a) With respect to any Settlement Date other than the Maturity Date, the number of Shares designated as such by Counterparty in the relevant Settlement Notice or designated as such by Dealer pursuant to the Termination Settlement provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below, as applicable; and | |
(b) with respect to the Settlement Date on the Maturity Date, a number of Shares equal to the Number of Shares at that time; | ||
in each case with the Number of Shares determined taking into account pending Settlement Shares. | ||
Settlement Method Election: |
Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement, or Net Share Settlement, at the election of Counterparty as set forth in a Settlement Notice that satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements, if applicable; provided that Physical Settlement shall apply (i) if no Settlement Method is validly selected, (ii) with respect to any Settlement Shares subject to Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement in respect of which Dealer is unable, in good faith and in its commercially reasonable discretion (taking into account the unwind of the commercially reasonable hedge related to each other forward or other equity derivative transaction (if any) entered into between Dealer and Counterparty (each, an Additional Equity Derivative Transaction)), to unwind its hedge by the end of the Unwind Period (A) in a manner that, in the reasonable discretion of Dealer, based on advice of counsel, is consistent with the requirements for qualifying for the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 (Rule 10b-18) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) or (B) due to the occurrence of five or more Disrupted Days or to the lack of sufficient liquidity in the Shares during the Unwind Period, (iii) to any Termination Settlement Date (as defined under Termination Settlement in Paragraph 7(f) below) and (iv) if the Maturity Date is a Settlement Date other than as the result of a valid Settlement Notice, in respect of such Settlement Date and for which the provisions of Section 6 of the Agreement do not otherwise apply under the provisions of this Confirmation; provided, further, that if Physical Settlement applies under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) immediately above, Dealer shall provide written notice to Counterparty at least two Scheduled Trading Days prior to the applicable Settlement Date. | |
Settlement Notice Requirements: |
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, a Settlement Notice delivered by Counterparty that specifies Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement will not be effective to establish a Settlement Date or require Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement unless Counterparty delivers to Dealer with such Settlement Notice a representation, dated as of the date of such Settlement Notice and signed by Counterparty, |
4
containing (x) the provisions set forth in clause (i) under the heading Additional Representations and Agreements of Counterparty in Paragraph 7(d) and (y) a representation from Counterparty that neither Counterparty nor any of its subsidiaries has applied, and shall not until after the first date on which no portion of the Transaction remains outstanding following any final exercise and settlement, cancellation or early termination of the Transaction, apply, for a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act)) or other investment, or receive any financial assistance or relief under any program or facility (collectively Financial Assistance) that (I) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (II) (X) requires under applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) as a condition of such Financial Assistance, that Counterparty comply with any requirement not to, or otherwise agree, attest, certify or warrant that it has not, as of the date specified in such condition, repurchased, or will not repurchase, any equity security of Counterparty, and that it has not, as of the date specified in the condition, made a capital distribution or will not make a capital distribution, or (Y) where the terms of the Transaction would cause Counterparty under any circumstance to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of the Financial Assistance (collectively Restricted Financial Assistance), other than any such applications for Restricted Financial Assistance that were (or would be) made (x) based on the advice of outside counsel of national standing that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Counterparty to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such Financial Assistance based on the terms of the program or facility as of the date of such advice or (y) after delivery to Dealer of evidence or other guidance from a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility that the Transaction is permitted under such program or facility (either by specific reference to the Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of the Transaction in all relevant respects). | ||
Physical Settlement: |
If Physical Settlement is applicable, then Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer through the Clearance System a number of Shares equal to the Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date, and Dealer shall pay to Counterparty, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Counterparty, an amount equal to the Physical Settlement Amount for such Settlement Date. | |
Physical Settlement Amount: |
For any Settlement Date for which Physical Settlement is applicable, an amount in cash equal to the product of (a) the Forward Price in effect on the relevant Settlement Date multiplied by (b) the Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date. | |
Cash Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Cash Settlement applies, if the Cash Settlement Amount is a positive number, Dealer will pay the Cash Settlement Amount to Counterparty. If the Cash Settlement Amount is a negative number, Counterparty will pay the absolute value of the Cash Settlement Amount to Dealer. Such amounts shall be paid on such Settlement Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds. |
5
Cash Settlement Amount: |
An amount determined by the Calculation Agent equal to: | |
(a) (i)(A) the weighted average (weighted on the same basis as clause (B)) of the Forward Prices on each day during the applicable Unwind Period (calculated assuming no reduction to the Forward Price for any Forward Price Reduction Date that occurs during such Unwind Period, which is accounted for in clause (b) below), minus (B) the Unwind Purchase Price, multiplied by (ii) the Settlement Shares for the relevant Settlement Date; minus | ||
(b) the product of (i) the Forward Price Reduction Amount for any Forward Price Reduction Date that occurs during such Unwind Period, and (ii) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date with respect to which Dealer has not unwound its hedge, including the settlement of such unwinds, as of such Forward Price Reduction Date. | ||
Unwind Purchase Price: |
The weighted average price at which Dealer purchases Shares during the Unwind Period to unwind its hedge with respect to the portion of the Number of Shares to be settled during the Unwind Period (including, for the avoidance of doubt, purchases on any Disrupted Day in part), taking into account Shares anticipated to be delivered or received if Net Share Settlement applies, and the restrictions of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act agreed to hereunder, plus USD 0.02 per Share. | |
Net Share Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Net Share Settlement applies, if the Cash Settlement Amount is a (i) positive number, Dealer shall deliver a number of Shares to Counterparty equal to the Net Share Settlement Shares, or (ii) negative number, Counterparty shall deliver a number of Shares to Dealer equal to the Net Share Settlement Shares; provided that, if Dealer determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it would be required to deliver Net Share Settlement Shares to Counterparty, Dealer may elect to deliver a portion of such Net Share Settlement Shares on one or more dates prior to the applicable Settlement Date. | |
Net Share Settlement Shares: |
With respect to a Settlement Date in respect of which Net Share Settlement applies, the number of Shares equal to the absolute value of the Cash Settlement Amount divided by the Unwind Purchase Price, with the number of Shares rounded up in the event such calculation results in a fractional number. | |
Unwind Period: |
The period from and including the first Exchange Business Day following the date Counterparty validly elects Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement in respect of a Settlement Date through the Scheduled Trading Day preceding such Settlement Date, subject to Termination Settlement as described in Paragraph 7(f) below. Each Scheduled Trading Day in the Unwind Period shall be an Unwind Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in any Settlement Notice specifying Net Share Settlement or Cash Settlement to be applicable with respect to any Settlement Shares, Counterparty |
6
may, at its election, specify an Unwind Period Outside Date and, if so, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Unwind Period relating to such Settlement Shares will not occur on any date later than such Unwind Period Outside Date (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in clause (ii) of the proviso opposite the caption Settlement Method Election above will apply to any such Unwind Period that ends on the Unwind Period Outside Date, as applicable). Unwind Period Outside Date means, if specified at Counterpartys election in any Settlement Notice, the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the last calendar day of the calendar quarter in which the related Settlement Date is scheduled to occur. | ||
Adjustments: | ||
Method of Adjustment: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment. Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting clauses (iii) and (v) thereof. | |
Additional Adjustment: |
If, in Dealers commercially reasonable judgment, the actual cost to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) (excluding any balance sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party), over any 15 consecutive day period, of borrowing a number of Shares equal to the Number of Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure to the Transaction exceeds a weighted average rate equal to 25 basis points per annum, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price to compensate Dealer for the amount by which such cost exceeded a weighted average rate equal to 25 basis points per annum during such period. | |
Extraordinary Events: | ||
Extraordinary Events: |
In lieu of the applicable provisions contained in Article 12 of the Equity Definitions, the consequences of any Extraordinary Event (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Insolvency, Delisting, or Change In Law) shall be as specified below under the headings Acceleration Events and Termination Settlement in Paragraphs 7(e) and 7(f), respectively. The definition of Tender Offer in Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing 10% with 25%. | |
Failure to Deliver: |
Applicable with respect to a Transaction if Dealer is required to deliver Shares under such Transaction; otherwise, Not Applicable | |
Hedging Party: |
For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer if involved in the hedging of the Transaction | |
Determining Party: |
For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgments: | Applicable |
7
Transfer: | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Agreement, Dealer may assign, transfer and set over all rights, title and interest, powers, obligations, privileges and remedies of Dealer under the Transaction, in whole or in part, to (A) a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Dealer, whose obligations hereunder are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Dealer, or (B) any other wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Dealer with a long-term issuer rating equal to or better than the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer; provided that, under all circumstances, Dealer and any transferee of Dealer shall be eligible to provide a United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or Form W-8ECI with respect to any payments under the Agreement. | |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities and otherwise to perform Dealers obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty only to the extent of any such performance. | ||
3. Calculation Agent: | Dealer whose judgments, determinations and calculations shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Dealer is the sole Defaulting Party, if the Calculation Agent fails to timely make any calculation, adjustment or determination required to be made by the Calculation Agent hereunder or to perform any obligation of the Calculation Agent hereunder and such failure continues for five Exchange Business Days following notice to the Calculation Agent by Counterparty of such failure, Counterparty shall have the right to designate a nationally recognized third-party dealer in over-the-counter corporate equity derivatives to act, during the period commencing on the date such Event of Default occurred and ending on the Early Termination Date with respect to such Event of Default, as the Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a request by Counterparty, the Calculation Agent shall promptly (but in any event within five Scheduled Trading Days) provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty in such request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation (including any assumptions used in making such determination or calculation), it being understood that the Calculation Agent shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary models used by it for such determination or calculation or other information that may be proprietary or subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information. | |
4. Account Details: | ||
(a) Account for delivery of Shares to Dealer: |
To be furnished |
8
(b) Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty: |
To be furnished | |
(c) Account for payments to Counterparty: |
To be advised under separate cover or telephone confirmed prior to each Settlement Date | |
(d) Account for payments to Dealer: |
To be furnished | |
5. Offices: | ||
The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party | ||
The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: New York | ||
6. Notices: For purposes of this Confirmation: | ||
(a) Address for notices or communications to Counterparty:
Sempra 488 8th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 Attention: Treasurer
with a copy to:
Sempra 488 8th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 Attention: General Counsel | ||
(b) Address for notices or communications to Dealer:
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC 1585 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY 10036 Attention: Joel Carter, Scott Finz, Anthony Cicia and Eric Wang Emails: Elcm_Off@morganstanley.com; Anthony.Cicia@morganstanley.com; Eric.D.Wang@morganstanley.com |
7. Other Provisions:
(a) Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Confirmation on the Effective Date shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Dealer of the following conditions: (i) the condition that the representations and warranties of Counterparty contained in the Underwriting Agreement dated November 7, 2023 between Counterparty, Dealer and the other parties named therein (the Underwriting Agreement) and any certificate delivered pursuant thereto by Counterparty are true and correct on the Effective Date as if made as of the Effective Date, (ii) the condition that Counterparty has performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under the Underwriting Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date, (iii) the condition that Counterparty has delivered to Dealer an opinion of counsel dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance as previously agreed between Counterparty and Dealer; provided that any such opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications, (iv) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement and (v) the condition, as determined by Dealer in good faith and in its commercially reasonable judgment, that neither of the following has occurred (A) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is not able to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction because insufficient Shares are made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (B) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) would incur a cost (excluding any balance
9
sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party) to borrow (or to maintain a borrow of) Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction that is greater than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum to do so (in which event this Confirmation shall be effective but the Number of Shares for the Transaction shall be the number of Shares Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is required to deliver in accordance with Section 4(c) of the Underwriting Agreement).
(b) Interpretive Letter. Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that the Transaction is being entered into in accordance with the October 9, 2003 interpretive letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the Interpretive Letter) and agrees to take all actions, and to omit to take any actions, reasonably requested by Dealer for the Transaction to comply with the Interpretive Letter. In addition, Counterparty represents that it is eligible to conduct a primary offering of Shares on Form S-3, the offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement complies with Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Shares are actively traded as defined in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act (Regulation M).
(c) Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Shares.
(i) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that, in respect of any Shares delivered to Dealer hereunder, such Shares shall be newly issued (unless mutually agreed otherwise by the parties) and, upon such delivery, duly and validly authorized, issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, free of any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance and not subject to any preemptive or similar rights and shall, upon such issuance, be accepted for listing or quotation on the Exchange.
(ii) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) will hedge its exposure to the Transaction by selling Shares borrowed from third party securities lenders or other Shares pursuant to a registration statement, and that, pursuant to the terms of the Interpretive Letter, the Shares (up to the Initial Number of Shares) delivered, pledged or loaned by Counterparty to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) in connection with the Transaction may be used by Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) to return to securities lenders without further registration or other restrictions under the Securities Act, in the hands of those securities lenders, irrespective of whether such securities loan is effected by Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer. Accordingly, subject to Paragraph 7(g) below, Counterparty agrees that the Shares that it delivers, pledges or loans to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) on or prior to the final Settlement Date will not bear a restrictive legend and that such Shares will be deposited in, and the delivery thereof shall be effected through the facilities of, the Clearance System.
(iii) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that it has reserved and will keep available at all times until satisfaction in full of Counterpartys obligation to deliver Shares hereunder, free from preemptive or similar rights and free from any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance, authorized but unissued Shares at least equal to the Share Cap (as defined in Paragraph 7(r) below) as such Share Cap may be reduced from time to time in connection with settlements under the Transaction, solely for the purpose of settlement under the Transaction.
(iv) Unless the provisions set forth below under Private Placement Procedures are applicable, Dealer agrees to use any Shares delivered by Counterparty hereunder on any Settlement Date to return to securities lenders to close out open securities loans created by Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer in the course of Dealers or such affiliates hedging activities related to Dealers exposure under the Transaction.
(v) In connection with bids and purchases of Shares in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of the Transaction, Dealer shall use its reasonable efforts, based on the advice of counsel, to conduct its activities, or cause its affiliates to conduct their activities, as applicable, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, as if such provisions were applicable to such purchases and taking into account any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters, as appropriate, and subject to any delays between the execution and reporting of a trade of the Shares on the Exchange and other circumstances beyond Dealers control.
10
(d) Additional Representations and Agreements of Counterparty. Counterparty represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(i) Counterparty represents to Dealer on the Trade Date and on any date that Counterparty notifies Dealer that Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement applies to the Transaction, that (A) Counterparty is not aware of any material nonpublic information regarding Counterparty or the Shares, (B) each of its filings under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other applicable securities laws that are required to be filed have been filed and that, as of the date of this representation, when considered as a whole (with the more recent such filings deemed to amend inconsistent statements contained in any earlier such filings), there is no misstatement of material fact contained therein or omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (C) Counterparty is neither entering into this Confirmation nor making any election hereunder to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act.
(ii) [Reserved].
(iii) Counterparty shall, at least one day prior to the first day of any Unwind Period, notify Dealer of the total number of Shares purchased in Rule 10b-18 purchases of blocks pursuant to the once-a-week block exception contained in Rule 10b-18(b)(4) by or for Counterparty or any of its affiliated purchasers during each of the four calendar weeks preceding the first day of the Unwind Period and during the calendar week in which the first day of the Unwind Period occurs (Rule 10b-18 purchase, blocks and affiliated purchaser each being used as defined in Rule 10b-18).
(iv) During any Unwind Period, Counterparty shall (i) notify Dealer prior to the opening of trading in the Shares on any day on which Counterparty makes, or use reasonable efforts to notify Dealer by such time if Counterparty expects to be made, any public announcement (as defined in Rule 165(f) under the Securities Act) of any merger, acquisition, or similar transaction involving a recapitalization relating to Counterparty (other than any such transaction in which the consideration consists solely of cash and there is no valuation period), (ii) promptly notify Dealer following any such announcement that such announcement has been made, and (iii) promptly deliver to Dealer following the making of any such announcement information indicating (A) Counterpartys average daily Rule 10b-18 purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18) during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction and (B) Counterpartys block purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18) effected pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of Rule 10b-18 during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction. In addition, Counterparty shall promptly notify Dealer of the earlier to occur of the completion of such transaction and the completion of the vote by target shareholders.
(v) Neither Counterparty nor any of its affiliated purchasers (within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act) shall take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, any direct purchases by Counterparty or any of its affiliates, or any purchases by a party to a derivative transaction with Counterparty or any of its affiliates), either under this Confirmation, under an agreement with another party or otherwise, that Counterparty reasonably believes would cause any purchases of Shares by Dealer or any of its affiliates in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of the Transaction not to meet the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18, determined as if all such foregoing purchases were made by Counterparty.
(vi) Counterparty will not engage in any distribution (as defined in Regulation M), other than a distribution meeting the requirements of an exception set forth in each of Rules 101(b) and 102(b) of Regulation M, that would cause a restricted period (as defined in Regulation M) to occur during any Unwind Period.
(vii) Counterparty is not, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be, required to register as an investment company as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(viii) Counterparty is not insolvent, nor will Counterparty be rendered insolvent as a result of the Transaction or its performance of the terms hereof.
11
(ix) Without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, Counterparty acknowledges that Dealer is not making any representations or warranties or taking any position or expressing any view with respect to the treatment of the Transaction under any accounting standards including ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entitys Own Equity (or any successor issue statements) or under FASBs Liabilities & Equity Project.
(x) Counterparty understands that no obligations of Dealer to it hereunder will be entitled to the benefit of deposit insurance and that such obligations will not be guaranteed by any affiliate of Dealer or any governmental agency.
(xi) To Counterpartys actual knowledge, no federal, state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Dealer or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares, other than Sections 13 and 16 under the Exchange Act and the Federal Power Act.
(xii) No filing with, or approval, authorization, consent, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery and performance by Counterparty of this Confirmation and the consummation of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the issuance and delivery of Shares on any Settlement Date) except (A) such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and (B) as may be required to be obtained under state securities laws.
(xiii) Counterparty (A) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business affairs as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of entering into the Transaction, (B) has consulted with its own legal, financial, accounting and tax advisors in connection with the Transaction, and (C) is entering into the Transaction for a bona fide business purpose.
(xiv) Counterparty will, by the next succeeding Scheduled Trading Day following the occurrence thereof, notify Dealer upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of any event that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Adjustment Event.
(xv) Counterparty (i) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities, (ii) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing, and (iii) has total assets of at least USD 50 million as of the date hereof.
(e) Acceleration Events. Each of the following events shall constitute an Acceleration Event:
(i) Stock Borrow Event. In the commercially reasonable judgment of Dealer (A) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is not able to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction because insufficient Shares are made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (B) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) would incur a cost (excluding any balance sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party) to borrow (or to maintain a borrow of) Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction that is greater than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum (each, a Stock Borrow Event);
(ii) Dividends and Other Distributions. On any day occurring after the Trade Date, Counterparty declares a distribution, issue or dividend to existing holders of the Shares of (A) any cash dividend (other than an Extraordinary Dividend) for which such cash dividend (x) has an ex-dividend date that occurs before a Forward Price Reduction Date, or (y) for which the amount exceeds, on a per Share basis, the Forward Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite the first date of any such period on Schedule I, (B) any Extraordinary Dividend, (C) any share capital or other securities of another issuer acquired or owned (directly or indirectly) by Counterparty as a result of a spin-off or other similar transaction or (D) any other
12
type of securities (other than Shares), rights or warrants or other assets, in any case for payment (cash or other consideration) at less than the prevailing market price, as determined in a commercially reasonable manner by Dealer; Extraordinary Dividend means any dividend or distribution (that is not an ordinary cash dividend) declared by Counterparty with respect to the Shares that, in the commercially reasonable determination of Dealer, is (1) a dividend or distribution declared on the Shares at a time at which Counterparty has not previously declared or paid dividends or distributions on such Shares for the prior four quarterly periods, (2) a payment or distribution by Counterparty to holders of Shares that Counterparty announces will be an extraordinary or special dividend or distribution or (3) any other special dividend or distribution on the Shares that is, by its terms or declared intent, outside the normal course of operations or normal dividend policies or practices of Counterparty;
(iii) ISDA Termination. Either Dealer or Counterparty has the right to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement, in which case, except as otherwise specified herein and except as a result of an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) of the Agreement, the provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below shall apply in lieu of the consequences specified in Section 6 of the Agreement;
(iv) Other ISDA Events. An Announcement Date occurs in respect of any Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Insolvency, Delisting or the occurrence of any Hedging Disruption or Change in Law; provided that, in case of a Delisting, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors); provided, further, that (i) the definition of Change in Law provided in Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (A) replacing the phrase the interpretation in the third line thereof with the phrase or announcement or statement of the formal or informal interpretation and (B) immediately following the word Transaction in clause (X) thereof, adding the phrase in the manner contemplated by Dealer on the Trade Date and (ii) any determination as to whether (A) the adoption of or any change in any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, any tax law) or (B) the promulgation of or any change in or announcement or statement of the formal or informal interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law or regulation (including any action taken by a taxing authority), in each case, constitutes a Change in Law shall be made without regard to Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (the WSTAA) or any similar provision in any legislation enacted on or after the Trade Date; or
(v) Ownership Event. In the reasonable judgment of Dealer, on any day, the Share Amount for such day exceeds the Post-Effective Limit for such day (if any applies) (each, an Ownership Event). For purposes of this clause (v), the Share Amount as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a Dealer Person) under any law, rule, regulation or regulatory order or Counterparty constituent document that for any reason is, or after the Trade Date becomes, applicable to ownership of Shares (Applicable Provisions), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership of under the Applicable Provisions, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The Post-Effective Limit means (x) the minimum number of Shares that would give rise to reporting or registration obligations (except for any filing requirements on Form 13F, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act, in each case, as in effect on the Trade Date) or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or would result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under the Applicable Provisions, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (y) 1.0% of the number of Shares outstanding.
(f) Termination Settlement. Upon the occurrence of any Acceleration Event, Dealer shall have the right to designate, upon at least one Scheduled Trading Days notice, any Scheduled Trading Day following such occurrence to be a Settlement Date hereunder (a Termination Settlement Date) to which Physical Settlement shall apply, and to select the number of Settlement Shares relating to such Termination Settlement Date. If, upon designation of a Termination Settlement Date by Dealer pursuant to the preceding sentence, Counterparty fails to deliver the Settlement Shares relating to such Termination Settlement Date when due or otherwise fails to perform obligations within its control in respect of the Transaction, it shall be an Event of Default with respect to Counterparty and Section 6 of the Agreement shall apply (without regard to Paragraph 7(e)(iii) above). If an Acceleration Event occurs during an
13
Unwind Period relating to a number of Settlement Shares to which Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement applies, then on the Termination Settlement Date relating to such Acceleration Event, notwithstanding any election to the contrary by Counterparty, Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement shall apply to the portion of the Settlement Shares relating to such Unwind Period as to which Dealer has unwound its hedge, and Physical Settlement shall apply in respect of (x) the remainder (if any) of such Settlement Shares and (y) the Settlement Shares designated by Dealer in respect of such Termination Settlement Date. If an Acceleration Event occurs after Counterparty has designated a Settlement Date to which Physical Settlement applies but before the relevant Settlement Shares have been delivered to Dealer, then Dealer shall have the right to cancel such Settlement Date and designate a Termination Settlement Date in respect of such Shares pursuant to the first sentence hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Nationalization or Merger Event, if at the time of the related relevant Settlement Date the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the nature of the Shares as it determines appropriate to account for such change such that the nature of the Shares is consistent with what shareholders receive in such event.
(g) Private Placement Procedures. If Counterparty is unable to comply with the provisions of sub-paragraph (ii) of Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Shares above because of a change in law or a change in the policy of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, or Dealer otherwise determines that in its reasonable opinion any Shares to be delivered to Dealer by Counterparty may not be freely returned by Dealer or its affiliates to securities lenders as described under such sub-paragraph (ii) or otherwise constitute restricted securities as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, then delivery of any such Shares (the Restricted Shares) shall be effected as provided below, unless waived by Dealer.
(i) If Counterparty delivers the Restricted Shares pursuant to this clause (i) (a Private Placement Settlement), then delivery of Restricted Shares by Counterparty shall be effected in accordance with private placement procedures customary for private placements of equity securities of substantially similar size with respect to such Restricted Shares reasonably acceptable to Dealer; provided that Counterparty may not elect a Private Placement Settlement if, on the date of its election, it has taken, or caused to be taken, any action that would make unavailable either the exemption pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act for the sale by Counterparty to Dealer (or any affiliate designated by Dealer) of the Restricted Shares or the exemption pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) or Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act for resales of the Restricted Shares by Dealer (or any such affiliate of Dealer), and if Counterparty fails to deliver the Restricted Shares when due or otherwise fails to perform obligations within its control in respect of a Private Placement Settlement, it shall be an Event of Default with respect to Counterparty and Section 6 of the Agreement shall apply (without regard to Paragraph 7(e)(iii) above). The Private Placement Settlement of such Restricted Shares shall include customary representations, covenants, blue sky and other governmental filings and/or registrations, indemnities to Dealer, due diligence rights (for Dealer or any designated buyer of the Restricted Shares by Dealer), opinions and certificates, and such other documentation as is customary for private placement agreements of equity securities of a substantially similar size, all reasonably acceptable to Dealer. In the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Dealer shall, in its good faith discretion, adjust the amount of Restricted Shares to be delivered to Dealer hereunder in a commercially reasonable manner to reflect the fact that such Restricted Shares may not be freely returned to securities lenders by Dealer and may only be saleable by Dealer at a discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in Restricted Shares. Notwithstanding the Agreement or this Confirmation, the date of delivery of such Restricted Shares shall be the Clearance System Business Day following notice by Dealer to Counterparty of the number of Restricted Shares to be delivered pursuant to this clause (i). For the avoidance of doubt, delivery of Restricted Shares shall be due as set forth in the previous sentence and not be due on the date that would otherwise be applicable.
(ii) If Counterparty delivers any Restricted Shares in respect of the Transaction, Counterparty agrees that (A) such Shares may be transferred by and among Dealer and its affiliates and (B) after the minimum holding period within the meaning of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act has elapsed, Counterparty shall promptly remove, or cause the transfer agent for the Shares to remove, any legends referring to any transfer restrictions from such Shares upon delivery by Dealer (or such affiliate of Dealer) to Counterparty or such transfer agent of any sellers and brokers representation letters customarily delivered by Dealer or its affiliates in connection with resales of restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each without any further requirement for the delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or any other action by Dealer (or such affiliate of Dealer).
14
(h) Rule 10b-5. It is the intent of Dealer and Counterparty that, following any election of Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement by Counterparty, the purchase of Shares by Dealer during any Unwind Period shall comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-l(c)(l)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act and that this Confirmation shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-l(c). Counterparty acknowledges that (i) during any Unwind Period Counterparty shall not have, and shall not attempt to exercise, any influence over how, when or whether to effect purchases of Shares by Dealer (or its agent or affiliate) in connection with this Confirmation and (ii) Counterparty is entering into the Agreement and this Confirmation in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with federal securities laws including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Counterparty further agrees to act in good faith with respect to this Confirmation and the Agreement.
(i) Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF COUNTERPARTY AND DEALER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS) ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION OR THE ACTIONS OF DEALER OR ITS AFFILIATES IN THE NEGOTIATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
(j) Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Confirmation and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Confirmation shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. The parties hereto irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with all matters relating hereto and waive any objection to the laying of venue in, and any claim of inconvenient forum with respect to, these courts.
(k) Insolvency Filing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Agreement or in the Definitions, upon any Insolvency Filing or other proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code in respect of Counterparty, the Transaction shall automatically terminate on the date thereof without further liability of either party to this Confirmation to the other party (except for any liability in respect of any breach of representation or covenant by a party under this Confirmation prior to the date of such Insolvency Filing or other proceeding), it being understood that the Transaction is a contract for the issuance of Shares by Counterparty.
(l) Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, each of Dealer and Counterparty and each of their employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.
(m) Counterparty Share Repurchases. Counterparty agrees not to repurchase, directly or indirectly, any Shares if, immediately following such purchase, the Outstanding Share Percentage would be equal to or greater than 5%. The Outstanding Share Percentage as of any day is the fraction (1) the numerator of which is the aggregate of the Number of Shares for the Transaction and the Number of Shares under each Additional Equity Derivative Transaction that is a share forward transaction and (2) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day.
(n) Limit on Beneficial Ownership. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, Dealer shall not have the right to acquire Shares hereunder and Dealer shall not be entitled to take delivery of any Shares hereunder (in each case, whether in connection with the purchase of Shares on any Settlement Date or any Termination Settlement Date, any Private Placement Settlement or otherwise) to the extent (but only to the extent) that, after such receipt of any Shares hereunder, (i) the Share Amount would exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) Dealer and each person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (the Dealer Group) would directly or indirectly beneficially own (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) in excess of 8% of the then outstanding Shares (the Threshold Number of Shares), (iii) Dealer would hold 5% or more of the number of Shares of Counterpartys outstanding common stock or 5% or more of Counterpartys outstanding voting power (the Exchange Limit) or (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of a number of Shares equal to 8% of the outstanding Shares (the
15
FPA Limit). Any purported delivery hereunder shall be void and have no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that, after such delivery, (i) the Share Amount would exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) the Dealer Group would directly or indirectly so beneficially own in excess of the Threshold Number of Shares, (iii) Dealer would directly or indirectly so hold in excess of the Exchange Limit or (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of the FPA Limit. If any delivery owed to Dealer hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this provision, Counterpartys obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and Counterparty shall make such delivery as promptly as practicable after, but in no event later than one Scheduled Trading Day after, Dealer gives notice to Counterparty that, after such delivery, (i) the Share Amount would not exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) the Dealer Group would not directly or indirectly so beneficially own in excess of the Threshold Number of Shares, (iii) Dealer would not directly or indirectly so hold in excess of the Exchange Limit and (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would not beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of the FPA Limit.
In addition, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any delivery owed to Dealer hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of the immediately preceding paragraph, Dealer shall be permitted to make any payment due in respect of such Shares to Counterparty in two or more tranches that correspond in amount to the number of Shares delivered by Counterparty to Dealer pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph.
(o) Commodity Exchange Act. Each of Dealer and Counterparty agrees and represents that it is an eligible contract participant as defined in Section 1a(18) of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the CEA), the Agreement and the Transaction are subject to individual negotiation by the parties and have not been executed or traded on a trading facility as defined in Section 1a(51) of the CEA.
(p) Bankruptcy Status. Subject to Paragraph 7(k) above, Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that are senior to the claims of Counterpartys common stockholders in any U.S. bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit Dealers right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to this Confirmation and the Agreement; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealers rights in respect of any transaction other than the Transaction.
(q) No Collateral or Setoff. Notwithstanding Section 6(f) or any other provision of the Agreement or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, the obligations of Counterparty hereunder are not secured by any collateral. Obligations in respect of the Transaction shall not be set off against any other obligations of the parties, whether arising under the Agreement, under any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and no other obligations of the parties shall be set off against obligations in respect of the Transaction, whether arising under the Agreement, under any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and each party hereby waives any such right of setoff.
(r) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement or this Confirmation, in no event will Counterparty be required to deliver, in the aggregate in respect of all Settlement Dates or other dates on which Shares are delivered under the Transaction a number of Shares greater than 1.5 times the Number of Shares (the Share Cap). The Share Cap shall be subject to adjustment only on account of (x) Potential Adjustment Events of the type specified in (1) Sections 11.2(e)(i) through (vi) of the Equity Definitions or (2) Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions so long as, in the case of this sub-clause (2), such event is within Counterpartys control and (y) Merger Events requiring corporate action of Counterparty (or any surviving entity of Counterparty hereunder in connection with any such Merger Event). In the event Counterparty shall not have delivered the full number of Shares otherwise deliverable as a result of this Paragraph 7(r) (the resulting deficit for the Transaction, the Deficit Shares), Counterparty shall be continually obligated to deliver Shares, from time to time until the full number of Deficit Shares have been delivered pursuant to this Paragraph 7(r), on a pro rata basis between the Transaction and the Other Forward (as defined below), when, and to the extent that, (A) Shares are repurchased, acquired or otherwise received by Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries after the date hereof (whether or not in exchange for cash, fair value or any other consideration), (B) authorized and unissued Shares reserved for issuance in respect of other transactions prior to such date which prior to the relevant date become no longer so reserved or (C) Counterparty additionally authorizes
16
any unissued Shares that are not reserved for transactions other than the Transaction (such events as set forth in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, collectively, the Share Issuance Events). Counterparty shall promptly notify Dealer of the occurrence of any of the Share Issuance Events (including the number of Shares subject to clause (A), (B) or (C) and the corresponding number of Shares to be delivered for the Transaction) and, as promptly as reasonably practicable, deliver such Shares thereafter. Counterparty shall not, until Counterpartys obligations under the Transaction have been satisfied in full, use any Shares that become available for potential delivery to Dealer as a result of any Share Issuance Event for the settlement or satisfaction of any transaction or obligation other than the Transaction (or the Other Forward on a pro rata basis as set forth above) or reserve any such Shares for future issuance for any purpose other than to satisfy Counterpartys obligations to Dealer under the Transaction (or the Other Forward on a pro rata basis as set forth above).
(s) Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010. The parties hereby agree that none of (i) Section 739 of the WSTAA, (ii) any similar legal certainty provision included in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the Trade Date, (iii) the enactment of the WSTAA or any regulation under the WSTAA, (iv) any requirement under the WSTAA or (v) any amendment made by the WSTAA shall limit or otherwise impair either partys right to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased cost, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Definitions or the Agreement (including, but not limited to, any right arising from any Acceleration Event).
(t) Other Forward. Dealer acknowledges that Counterparty has entered or may in the future enter into one or more substantially similar forward transactions for the Shares (each, an Other Forward and collectively, the Other Forwards) with one or more other dealers. Dealer and Counterparty agree that if Counterparty designates a Settlement Date with respect to one or more Other Forwards for which Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement is applicable and for which the resulting Unwind Period for any such Other Forwards coincides for any period of time with an Unwind Period for the Transaction (the Overlap Unwind Period), Counterparty shall notify Dealer at least one Scheduled Trading Day prior to the commencement of such Overlap Unwind Period of the first Scheduled Trading Day and the length of such Overlap Unwind Period, and Dealer shall be permitted to purchase Shares to unwind its hedge in respect of the Transaction only on alternating Scheduled Trading Days during such Overlap Unwind Period, commencing on the first, second, third or later Scheduled Trading Day of such Overlap Unwind Period (which alternating Scheduled Trading Days, for the avoidance of doubt, may be every other Scheduled Trading Day if there is only one other dealer, every third Scheduled Trading Day if there are two other dealers, etc.).
(u) Indemnity. Counterparty agrees to indemnify Dealer and its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (Dealer and each such affiliate or person being an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint and several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Party arising out of, in connection with, or relating to, any breach of any covenant or representation made by Counterparty in this Confirmation or the Agreement and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto, except to the extent determined in a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from Dealers gross negligence, fraud, bad faith and/or willful misconduct. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any such claim, action or proceeding, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against Counterparty hereunder, notify Counterparty in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify Counterparty shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any Indemnified Party hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability otherwise. In case any such action shall be brought against any Indemnified Party and it shall notify Counterparty of the commencement thereof, Counterparty shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to Counterparty), and, after notice from Counterparty to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, Counterparty shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Paragraph 7(u) for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. Counterparty shall not have liability for any settlement or compromise of, or the consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any claim, action or proceeding contemplated by this Paragraph 7(u) that is effected without its prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing provisions shall survive any termination or completion of the Transaction.
17
(v) Tax Matters.
(i) Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of the Agreement, each of Dealer and Counterparty makes the following representation: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 9(h) of the Agreement or amounts payable hereunder that may be considered to be interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes) to be made by it to the other party under the Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (A) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of the Agreement, (B) the satisfaction of the agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i) or Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and (C) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of the Agreement, except that it will not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (B) above and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.
(ii) Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement:
(1) Dealer makes the following representations:
a. | It is a limited liability company duly organized and formed under the laws of the State of Delaware and is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dealers sole member is a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and is an exempt recipient under section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations. |
(2) Counterparty makes the following representations:
a. | It is a U.S. person (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of U.S. Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
b. | It is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is an exempt recipient under section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)(J) of U.S. Treasury Regulations. |
(iii) Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-U.S. counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Tax as used in Paragraph 7(v) of this Confirmation, and Indemnifiable Tax, as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement, shall not include any FATCA Withholding Tax. For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d) of the Agreement.
Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
FATCA Withholding Tax means any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed or collected pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.
18
(iv) 871(m) Protocol. To the extent that either party to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction is not an adhering party to the ISDA 2015 Section 871(m) Protocol published by ISDA on November 2, 2015 and available at www.isda.org, as may be amended, supplemented, replaced or superseded from time to time (the 871(m) Protocol), the parties agree that the provisions and amendments contained in the Attachment to the 871(m) Protocol are incorporated into and apply to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction as if set forth in full herein. The parties further agree that, solely for purposes of applying such provisions and amendments to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction, references to each Covered Master Agreement in the 871(m) Protocol will be deemed to be references to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction, and references to the Implementation Date in the 871(m) Protocol will be deemed to be references to the Trade Date of the Transaction. For greater certainty, if there is any inconsistency between this provision and the provisions contained in any other agreement between the parties with respect to the Transaction, this provision shall prevail unless such other agreement expressly overrides the provisions of the Attachment to the 871(m) Protocol.
(v) Tax Documentation. For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Counterparty shall provide to Dealer a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any successor thereto, completed accurately and in a manner reasonably acceptable to Dealer and, in particular, with the C Corporation box checked on line 3 thereof (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Dealer; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by Counterparty has become inaccurate or incorrect.
For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Dealer shall provide to Counterparty a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8ECI, or any successor thereto, completed accurately and in a manner reasonably acceptable to Counterparty and, in particular, with the C Corporation or Corporation box checked on line 3 or 4 thereof, respectively, (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Counterparty; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by Dealer has become inaccurate or incorrect.
(vi) Deduction or Withholding for Tax. Sections 2(d)(i), 2(d)(i)(4), 2(d)(ii)(1) of the Agreement and the definition of Tax are hereby amended by replacing the words pay, paid, payment or payments with the words pay or deliver, paid or delivered, payment or delivery or payments or deliveries, respectively.
(w) Counterparts:
a. | Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail or transmission (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., DocuSign and AdobeSign) (any such signature, an Electronic Signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. The words execution, signed, signature and words of like import in this Confirmation or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Confirmation shall include any Electronic Signature, except to the extent electronic notices are expressly prohibited under this Confirmation or the Agreement. |
(x) U.S. Stay Regulations.
a. | To the extent that the QFC Stay Rules are applicable hereto, then the parties agree that (i) to the extent that prior to the date hereof both parties have adhered to the 2018 ISDA U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol (the Protocol), the terms of the Protocol are incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation, and for such purposes this Confirmation shall be deemed a Protocol Covered Agreement and each party shall be deemed to have the same status as Regulated Entity and/or Adhering Party as applicable to it under the Protocol; (ii) to the extent that prior to the date hereof the parties have executed a separate agreement the effect of which is to amend the qualified financial contracts between them to conform with the requirements of the |
19
QFC Stay Rules (the Bilateral Agreement), the terms of the Bilateral Agreement are incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation and each party shall be deemed to have the status of Covered Entity or Counterparty Entity (or other similar term) as applicable to it under the Bilateral Agreement; or (iii) if clause (i) and clause (ii) do not apply, the terms of Section 1 and Section 2 and the related defined terms (together, the Bilateral Terms) of the form of bilateral template entitled Full-Length Omnibus (for use between U.S. G-SIBs and Corporate Groups) published by ISDA on November 2, 2018 (currently available on the 2018 ISDA U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol page at www.isda.org and, a copy of which is available upon request), the effect of which is to amend the qualified financial contracts between the parties thereto to conform with the requirements of the QFC Stay Rules, are hereby incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation, and for such purposes this Confirmation shall be deemed a Covered Agreement, Dealer shall be deemed a Covered Entity and Counterparty shall be deemed a Counterparty Entity. In the event that, after the date of this Confirmation, both parties hereto become adhering parties to the Protocol, the terms of the Protocol will replace the terms of this Paragraph 7(x). In the event of any inconsistencies between this Confirmation and the terms of the Protocol, the Bilateral Agreement or the Bilateral Terms (each, the QFC Stay Terms), as applicable, the QFC Stay Terms will govern. Terms used in this Paragraph 7(x) without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them under the QFC Stay Rules. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(x), references to this Confirmation include any related credit enhancements entered into between the parties or provided by one to the other. In addition, the parties agree that the terms of this Paragraph 7(x) shall be incorporated into any related covered affiliate credit enhancements, with all references to Dealer replaced by references to the covered affiliate support provider. |
b. | QFC Stay Rules mean the regulations codified at 12 C.F.R. 252.2, 252.818, 12 C.F.R. 382.1-7 and 12 C.F.R. 47.1-8, which, subject to limited exceptions, require an express recognition of the stay-and-transfer powers of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Orderly Liquidation Authority under Title II of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the override of default rights related directly or indirectly to the entry of an affiliate into certain insolvency proceedings and any restrictions on the transfer of any covered affiliate credit enhancements. |
[Signature Page Follows]
20
Please confirm your agreement to be bound by the terms stated herein by executing the copy of this Confirmation enclosed for that purpose and returning it to us.
Yours sincerely, | ||
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Kevin Woodruff | |
Name: | Kevin Woodruff | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page to Registered Forward
Transaction Confirmation]
Confirmed as of the date first above written:
SEMPRA
By: | /s/ Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Name: | Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Title: | Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Registered Forward
Transaction Confirmation]
Exhibit 1.3
Execution Version
From: |
Citibank, N.A. | |
388 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor | ||
New York, NY 10013 | ||
Attention: Theodore Finkelstein, Eric Natelson and Bianca Gotuaco | ||
Date: |
November 7, 2023 | |
To: |
Sempra | |
488 8th Avenue | ||
San Diego, CA 92101 | ||
Attention: General Counsel & Treasurer | ||
Re: |
Registered Forward Transaction |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter agreement is to confirm the terms and conditions of the Transaction entered into between Citibank, N.A. (Dealer) and Sempra (Counterparty) on the Trade Date specified below (the Transaction). This letter agreement constitutes a Confirmation as referred to in the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement specified below.
The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions) and the 2006 ISDA Definitions (including the Annex thereto) (the 2006 Definitions and together with the Equity Definitions, the Definitions), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and the 2006 Definitions, the Equity Definitions will govern. In the event of any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern.
Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.
1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation, together with any other Confirmations for registered forward transactions entered into between Dealer and Counterparty (each, an Additional Confirmation), shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the ISDA 2002 Master Agreement (the Agreement) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (without any Schedule but (i) with the elections set forth in this Confirmation and (ii) with the election that the Cross Default provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement will apply to Dealer as if (a) the phrase , or becoming capable at such time of being declared, were deleted from Section 5(a)(vi)(1) of the Agreement; (b) the Threshold Amount with respect to Dealer were three percent of the shareholders equity of Dealer; (c) the following language were added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement: Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under subsection (2) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default if (x) the default was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (y) funds were available to enable the party to make the payment when due; and (z) the payment is made within two Local Business Days of such partys receipt of written notice of its failure to pay.; and (d) the term Specified Indebtedness had the meaning specified in Section 14 of the Agreement, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of a partys banking business). In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that, other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates and the Transactions to which the Additional Confirmations, if any, relate (each, an Additional Transaction), no Transaction shall be governed by the Agreement. For purposes of the Equity Definitions, the Transaction is a Share Forward Transaction.
2. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows: | ||
General Terms: | ||
Trade Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Effective Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Seller: |
Counterparty | |
Buyer: |
Dealer | |
Shares: |
Shares of common stock of Counterparty, without par value (Ticker Symbol: SRE) | |
Number of Shares: |
Initially, as set forth in Schedule I (the Initial Number of Shares). On each Settlement Date, the Number of Shares shall be reduced by the number of Settlement Shares settled on such date. | |
Maturity Date: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Initial Forward Price: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Forward Price: |
(a) On the Effective Date, the Initial Forward Price; and | |
(b) on each calendar day thereafter, (i) the Forward Price as of the immediately preceding calendar day multiplied by (ii) the sum of 1 and the Daily Rate for such day; provided that, on each Forward Price Reduction Date, the Forward Price in effect on such date shall be the Forward Price otherwise in effect on such date, minus the Forward Price Reduction Amount for such Forward Price Reduction Date. | ||
Daily Rate: |
For any day, a rate (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) (a) the Overnight Bank Rate (or if the Overnight Bank Rate is no longer available, a successor rate selected by the Calculation Agent in its commercially reasonable discretion) for such day minus (b) the Spread divided by (ii) 365. | |
Overnight Bank Rate: |
For any day, the rate set forth for such day opposite the caption Overnight bank funding rate as displayed on the page OBFR01 <Index> <GO> on the BLOOMBERG Professional Service, or any successor page; provided that, if no such rate appears for a particular day on such page, the Overnight Bank Rate for the immediately preceding day for which a rate does so appear shall be used for such day. | |
Spread: |
As set forth in Schedule I | |
Prepayment: |
Not Applicable | |
Variable Obligation: |
Not Applicable |
2
Forward Price Reduction Dates: |
As set forth on Schedule I, subject to adjustment by written notice, no later than January 31, 2024, from Counterparty to Dealer, in respect of one or more originally scheduled Forward Price Reduction Dates, each occurring on or after March 20, 2024 so long as (i) each such adjusted Forward Price Reduction Date corresponds to an actual ex-dividend date in respect of a regular cash dividend, (ii) such notice from Counterparty contains a representation to Dealer that Counterparty is not, as of the date of such notice, aware of any material nonpublic information regarding Counterparty or the Shares and (iii) each such ex-dividend date occurs no earlier than February 2, 2024. | |
Forward Price Reduction Amounts: |
For each Forward Price Reduction Date, the Forward Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite such date on Schedule I. | |
Exchange: |
The New York Stock Exchange | |
Related Exchange(s): |
All Exchanges | |
Clearance System: |
The Depository Trust Company | |
Market Disruption Event: |
Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the first sentence in its entirety with the following: Market Disruption Event means in respect of a Share or an Index, the occurrence or existence of (i) a Trading Disruption, (ii) an Exchange Disruption, (iii) an Early Closure or (iv) a Regulatory Disruption, in each case that the Calculation Agent determines is material. | |
Early Closure: |
Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. | |
Regulatory Disruption: |
Any event that Dealer, based on the advice of counsel, determines makes it reasonably necessary or appropriate with regard to any legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements or related policies and procedures applicable to the Transaction for Dealer to refrain from or decrease any market activity in connection with the Transaction; provided that such policies and procedures have been adopted by Dealer in good faith and are generally applicable in similar situations and applied in a non-discriminatory manner. | |
Settlement: | ||
Settlement Currency: |
USD (all amounts shall be converted to the Settlement Currency in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner by the Calculation Agent) | |
Settlement Date: |
Any Scheduled Trading Day following the Effective Date and up to and including the Maturity Date that is either: | |
(a) designated by Counterparty as a Settlement Date in a written notice (a Settlement Notice) that satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements, if applicable, and is delivered to Dealer |
3
not later than the relevant Settlement Notice Date (as specified in Schedule I); provided that, if Dealer shall fully unwind its hedge with respect to the portion of the Number of Shares to be settled during an Unwind Period, Dealer may, by written notice to Counterparty, specify any Scheduled Trading Day prior to such original Settlement Date as the Settlement Date (with prior notice to Counterparty at least two Scheduled Trading Days prior to such specified Settlement Date); or | ||
(b) designated by Dealer as a Settlement Date pursuant to the Termination Settlement provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below; | ||
provided that the Maturity Date will be deemed to be designated a Settlement Date if on such date the Number of Shares for which a Settlement Date has not already been designated is greater than zero. | ||
Settlement Shares: |
(a) With respect to any Settlement Date other than the Maturity Date, the number of Shares designated as such by Counterparty in the relevant Settlement Notice or designated as such by Dealer pursuant to the Termination Settlement provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below, as applicable; and | |
(b) with respect to the Settlement Date on the Maturity Date, a number of Shares equal to the Number of Shares at that time; | ||
in each case with the Number of Shares determined taking into account pending Settlement Shares. | ||
Settlement Method Election: |
Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement, or Net Share Settlement, at the election of Counterparty as set forth in a Settlement Notice that satisfies the Settlement Notice Requirements, if applicable; provided that Physical Settlement shall apply (i) if no Settlement Method is validly selected, (ii) with respect to any Settlement Shares subject to Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement in respect of which Dealer is unable, in good faith and in its commercially reasonable discretion (taking into account the unwind of the commercially reasonable hedge related to each other forward or other equity derivative transaction (if any) entered into between Dealer and Counterparty (each, an Additional Equity Derivative Transaction)), to unwind its hedge by the end of the Unwind Period (A) in a manner that, in the reasonable discretion of Dealer, based on advice of counsel, is consistent with the requirements for qualifying for the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 (Rule 10b-18) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) or (B) due to the occurrence of five or more Disrupted Days or to the lack of sufficient liquidity in the Shares during the Unwind Period, (iii) to any Termination Settlement Date (as defined under Termination Settlement in Paragraph 7(f) below) and (iv) if the Maturity Date is a Settlement Date other than as the result of a valid Settlement Notice, in respect of such Settlement Date and for which the provisions of Section 6 of the Agreement do not otherwise apply under the provisions of this Confirmation; provided, further, that if Physical Settlement applies under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) immediately above, Dealer shall provide written notice to Counterparty at least two Scheduled Trading Days prior to the applicable Settlement Date. |
4
Settlement Notice Requirements: |
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, a Settlement Notice delivered by Counterparty that specifies Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement will not be effective to establish a Settlement Date or require Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement unless Counterparty delivers to Dealer with such Settlement Notice a representation, dated as of the date of such Settlement Notice and signed by Counterparty, containing (x) the provisions set forth in clause (i) under the heading Additional Representations and Agreements of Counterparty in Paragraph 7(d) and (y) a representation from Counterparty that neither Counterparty nor any of its subsidiaries has applied, and shall not until after the first date on which no portion of the Transaction remains outstanding following any final exercise and settlement, cancellation or early termination of the Transaction, apply, for a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act)) or other investment, or receive any financial assistance or relief under any program or facility (collectively Financial Assistance) that (I) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (II) (X) requires under applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) as a condition of such Financial Assistance, that Counterparty comply with any requirement not to, or otherwise agree, attest, certify or warrant that it has not, as of the date specified in such condition, repurchased, or will not repurchase, any equity security of Counterparty, and that it has not, as of the date specified in the condition, made a capital distribution or will not make a capital distribution, or (Y) where the terms of the Transaction would cause Counterparty under any circumstance to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of the Financial Assistance (collectively Restricted Financial Assistance), other than any such applications for Restricted Financial Assistance that were (or would be) made (x) based on the advice of outside counsel of national standing that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Counterparty to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such Financial Assistance based on the terms of the program or facility as of the date of such advice or (y) after delivery to Dealer of evidence or other guidance from a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility that the Transaction is permitted under such program or facility (either by specific reference to the Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of the Transaction in all relevant respects). | |
Physical Settlement: |
If Physical Settlement is applicable, then Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer through the Clearance System a number of Shares equal to the Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date, and Dealer shall pay to Counterparty, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Counterparty, an amount equal to the Physical Settlement Amount for such Settlement Date. |
5
Physical Settlement Amount: |
For any Settlement Date for which Physical Settlement is applicable, an amount in cash equal to the product of (a) the Forward Price in effect on the relevant Settlement Date multiplied by (b) the Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date. | |
Cash Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Cash Settlement applies, if the Cash Settlement Amount is a positive number, Dealer will pay the Cash Settlement Amount to Counterparty. If the Cash Settlement Amount is a negative number, Counterparty will pay the absolute value of the Cash Settlement Amount to Dealer. Such amounts shall be paid on such Settlement Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds. | |
Cash Settlement Amount: |
An amount determined by the Calculation Agent equal to: | |
(a) (i)(A) the weighted average (weighted on the same basis as clause (B)) of the Forward Prices on each day during the applicable Unwind Period (calculated assuming no reduction to the Forward Price for any Forward Price Reduction Date that occurs during such Unwind Period, which is accounted for in clause (b) below), minus (B) the Unwind Purchase Price, multiplied by (ii) the Settlement Shares for the relevant Settlement Date; minus | ||
(b) the product of (i) the Forward Price Reduction Amount for any Forward Price Reduction Date that occurs during such Unwind Period, and (ii) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement Date with respect to which Dealer has not unwound its hedge, including the settlement of such unwinds, as of such Forward Price Reduction Date. | ||
Unwind Purchase Price: |
The weighted average price at which Dealer purchases Shares during the Unwind Period to unwind its hedge with respect to the portion of the Number of Shares to be settled during the Unwind Period (including, for the avoidance of doubt, purchases on any Disrupted Day in part), taking into account Shares anticipated to be delivered or received if Net Share Settlement applies, and the restrictions of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act agreed to hereunder, plus USD 0.02 per Share. | |
Net Share Settlement: |
On any Settlement Date in respect of which Net Share Settlement applies, if the Cash Settlement Amount is a (i) positive number, Dealer shall deliver a number of Shares to Counterparty equal to the Net Share Settlement Shares, or (ii) negative number, Counterparty shall deliver a number of Shares to Dealer equal to the Net Share Settlement Shares; provided that, if Dealer determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it would be required to deliver Net Share Settlement Shares to Counterparty, Dealer may elect to deliver a portion of such Net Share Settlement Shares on one or more dates prior to the applicable Settlement Date. |
6
Net Share Settlement Shares: |
With respect to a Settlement Date in respect of which Net Share Settlement applies, the number of Shares equal to the absolute value of the Cash Settlement Amount divided by the Unwind Purchase Price, with the number of Shares rounded up in the event such calculation results in a fractional number. | |
Unwind Period: |
The period from and including the first Exchange Business Day following the date Counterparty validly elects Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement in respect of a Settlement Date through the Scheduled Trading Day preceding such Settlement Date, subject to Termination Settlement as described in Paragraph 7(f) below. Each Scheduled Trading Day in the Unwind Period shall be an Unwind Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in any Settlement Notice specifying Net Share Settlement or Cash Settlement to be applicable with respect to any Settlement Shares, Counterparty may, at its election, specify an Unwind Period Outside Date and, if so, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Unwind Period relating to such Settlement Shares will not occur on any date later than such Unwind Period Outside Date (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions set forth in clause (ii) of the proviso opposite the caption Settlement Method Election above will apply to any such Unwind Period that ends on the Unwind Period Outside Date, as applicable). Unwind Period Outside Date means, if specified at Counterpartys election in any Settlement Notice, the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the last calendar day of the calendar quarter in which the related Settlement Date is scheduled to occur. | |
Adjustments: | ||
Method of Adjustment: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment. Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting clauses (iii) and (v) thereof. | |
Additional Adjustment: |
If, in Dealers commercially reasonable judgment, the actual cost to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) (excluding any balance sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party), over any 15 consecutive day period, of borrowing a number of Shares equal to the Number of Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure to the Transaction exceeds a weighted average rate equal to 25 basis points per annum, the Calculation Agent shall reduce the Forward Price to compensate Dealer for the amount by which such cost exceeded a weighted average rate equal to 25 basis points per annum during such period. | |
Extraordinary Events: | ||
Extraordinary Events: |
In lieu of the applicable provisions contained in Article 12 of the Equity Definitions, the consequences of any Extraordinary Event (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Insolvency, Delisting, or Change In Law) shall be as specified below under the headings Acceleration Events and Termination Settlement in Paragraphs 7(e) and 7(f), respectively. The definition of Tender Offer in Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing 10% with 25%. |
7
Failure to Deliver: |
Applicable with respect to a Transaction if Dealer is required to deliver Shares under such Transaction; otherwise, Not Applicable | |
Hedging Party: |
For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer if involved in the hedging of the Transaction | |
Determining Party: |
For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer | |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgments: | Applicable | |
Transfer: | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Agreement, Dealer may assign, transfer and set over all rights, title and interest, powers, obligations, privileges and remedies of Dealer under the Transaction, in whole or in part, to (A) a wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Dealer, whose obligations hereunder are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Dealer, or (B) any other wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiary of Dealer with a long-term issuer rating equal to or better than the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer; provided that, under all circumstances, Dealer and any transferee of Dealer shall be eligible to provide a United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or Form W-8ECI with respect to any payments under the Agreement. | |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities and otherwise to perform Dealers obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty only to the extent of any such performance. | ||
3. Calculation Agent: | Dealer whose judgments, determinations and calculations shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Dealer is the sole Defaulting Party, if the Calculation Agent fails to timely make any calculation, adjustment or determination required to be made by the Calculation Agent hereunder or to perform any obligation of the Calculation Agent hereunder and such failure continues for five Exchange Business Days following notice to the Calculation Agent by Counterparty of such failure, Counterparty shall have the right to designate a nationally recognized third-party dealer in over-the- |
8
counter corporate equity derivatives to act, during the period commencing on the date such Event of Default occurred and ending on the Early Termination Date with respect to such Event of Default, as the Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a request by Counterparty, the Calculation Agent shall promptly (but in any event within five Scheduled Trading Days) provide to Counterparty by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Counterparty in such request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation (including any assumptions used in making such determination or calculation), it being understood that the Calculation Agent shall not be obligated to disclose any proprietary models used by it for such determination or calculation or other information that may be proprietary or subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information. | ||
4. Account Details: | ||
(a) Account for delivery of Shares to Dealer: |
To be furnished | |
(b) Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty: |
To be furnished | |
(c) Account for payments to Counterparty: |
To be advised under separate cover or telephone confirmed prior to each Settlement Date | |
(d) Account for payments to Dealer: |
To be furnished | |
5. Offices: | ||
The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party | ||
The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: New York | ||
6. Notices: For purposes of this Confirmation: | ||
(a) Address for notices or communications to Counterparty:
Sempra 488 8th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 Attention: Treasurer
with a copy to:
Sempra 488 8th Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 Attention: General Counsel |
9
(b) Address for notices or communications to Dealer:
Citibank, N.A. 388 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10013 Attention: Theodore Finkelstein, Eric Natelson and Bianca Gotuaco Email: theodore.finkelstein@citi.com; eric.natelson@citi.com; bianca.gotuaco@citi.com |
7. Other Provisions:
(a) Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Confirmation on the Effective Date shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Dealer of the following conditions: (i) the condition that the representations and warranties of Counterparty contained in the Underwriting Agreement dated November 7, 2023 between Counterparty, Dealer and the other parties named therein (the Underwriting Agreement) and any certificate delivered pursuant thereto by Counterparty are true and correct on the Effective Date as if made as of the Effective Date, (ii) the condition that Counterparty has performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under the Underwriting Agreement on or prior to the Effective Date, (iii) the condition that Counterparty has delivered to Dealer an opinion of counsel dated as of the Effective Date, in form and substance as previously agreed between Counterparty and Dealer; provided that any such opinion may contain customary exceptions and qualifications, (iv) all of the conditions set forth in Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement and (v) the condition, as determined by Dealer in good faith and in its commercially reasonable judgment, that neither of the following has occurred (A) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is not able to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction because insufficient Shares are made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (B) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) would incur a cost (excluding any balance sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party) to borrow (or to maintain a borrow of) Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction that is greater than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum to do so (in which event this Confirmation shall be effective but the Number of Shares for the Transaction shall be the number of Shares Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is required to deliver in accordance with Section 4(c) of the Underwriting Agreement).
(b) Interpretive Letter. Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that the Transaction is being entered into in accordance with the October 9, 2003 interpretive letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the Interpretive Letter) and agrees to take all actions, and to omit to take any actions, reasonably requested by Dealer for the Transaction to comply with the Interpretive Letter. In addition, Counterparty represents that it is eligible to conduct a primary offering of Shares on Form S-3, the offering contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement complies with Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Shares are actively traded as defined in Rule 101(c)(1) of Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act (Regulation M).
(c) Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Shares.
(i) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that, in respect of any Shares delivered to Dealer hereunder, such Shares shall be newly issued (unless mutually agreed otherwise by the parties) and, upon such delivery, duly and validly authorized, issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, free of any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance and not subject to any preemptive or similar rights and shall, upon such issuance, be accepted for listing or quotation on the Exchange.
(ii) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) will hedge its exposure to the Transaction by selling Shares borrowed from third party securities lenders or other Shares pursuant to a registration statement, and that, pursuant to the terms of the Interpretive Letter, the Shares (up to the Initial Number of Shares) delivered, pledged or loaned by Counterparty to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) in connection with the Transaction may be used by Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) to return to securities lenders without further registration or other restrictions under the Securities Act, in the hands of those securities lenders, irrespective of whether such securities loan is effected by Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer. Accordingly, subject to Paragraph 7(g) below, Counterparty agrees that the Shares that it delivers, pledges or loans to Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) on or prior to the final Settlement Date will not bear a restrictive legend and that such Shares will be deposited in, and the delivery thereof shall be effected through the facilities of, the Clearance System.
10
(iii) Counterparty agrees and acknowledges that it has reserved and will keep available at all times until satisfaction in full of Counterpartys obligation to deliver Shares hereunder, free from preemptive or similar rights and free from any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance, authorized but unissued Shares at least equal to the Share Cap (as defined in Paragraph 7(r) below) as such Share Cap may be reduced from time to time in connection with settlements under the Transaction, solely for the purpose of settlement under the Transaction.
(iv) Unless the provisions set forth below under Private Placement Procedures are applicable, Dealer agrees to use any Shares delivered by Counterparty hereunder on any Settlement Date to return to securities lenders to close out open securities loans created by Dealer or an affiliate of Dealer in the course of Dealers or such affiliates hedging activities related to Dealers exposure under the Transaction.
(v) In connection with bids and purchases of Shares in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of the Transaction, Dealer shall use its reasonable efforts, based on the advice of counsel, to conduct its activities, or cause its affiliates to conduct their activities, as applicable, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, as if such provisions were applicable to such purchases and taking into account any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters, as appropriate, and subject to any delays between the execution and reporting of a trade of the Shares on the Exchange and other circumstances beyond Dealers control.
(d) Additional Representations and Agreements of Counterparty. Counterparty represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
(i) Counterparty represents to Dealer on the Trade Date and on any date that Counterparty notifies Dealer that Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement applies to the Transaction, that (A) Counterparty is not aware of any material nonpublic information regarding Counterparty or the Shares, (B) each of its filings under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other applicable securities laws that are required to be filed have been filed and that, as of the date of this representation, when considered as a whole (with the more recent such filings deemed to amend inconsistent statements contained in any earlier such filings), there is no misstatement of material fact contained therein or omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (C) Counterparty is neither entering into this Confirmation nor making any election hereunder to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act.
(ii) [Reserved].
(iii) Counterparty shall, at least one day prior to the first day of any Unwind Period, notify Dealer of the total number of Shares purchased in Rule 10b-18 purchases of blocks pursuant to the once-a-week block exception contained in Rule 10b-18(b)(4) by or for Counterparty or any of its affiliated purchasers during each of the four calendar weeks preceding the first day of the Unwind Period and during the calendar week in which the first day of the Unwind Period occurs (Rule 10b-18 purchase, blocks and affiliated purchaser each being used as defined in Rule 10b-18).
(iv) During any Unwind Period, Counterparty shall (i) notify Dealer prior to the opening of trading in the Shares on any day on which Counterparty makes, or use reasonable efforts to notify Dealer by such time if Counterparty expects to be made, any public announcement (as defined in Rule 165(f) under the Securities Act) of any merger, acquisition, or similar transaction involving a recapitalization relating to Counterparty (other than any such transaction in which the consideration consists solely of cash and there is no valuation period), (ii) promptly notify Dealer following any such announcement that such announcement has been made, and (iii) promptly deliver to Dealer following the making of any such announcement
11
information indicating (A) Counterpartys average daily Rule 10b-18 purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18) during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction and (B) Counterpartys block purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18) effected pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of Rule 10b-18 during the three full calendar months preceding the date of the announcement of such transaction. In addition, Counterparty shall promptly notify Dealer of the earlier to occur of the completion of such transaction and the completion of the vote by target shareholders.
(v) Neither Counterparty nor any of its affiliated purchasers (within the meaning of Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act) shall take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, any direct purchases by Counterparty or any of its affiliates, or any purchases by a party to a derivative transaction with Counterparty or any of its affiliates), either under this Confirmation, under an agreement with another party or otherwise, that Counterparty reasonably believes would cause any purchases of Shares by Dealer or any of its affiliates in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of the Transaction not to meet the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18, determined as if all such foregoing purchases were made by Counterparty.
(vi) Counterparty will not engage in any distribution (as defined in Regulation M), other than a distribution meeting the requirements of an exception set forth in each of Rules 101(b) and 102(b) of Regulation M, that would cause a restricted period (as defined in Regulation M) to occur during any Unwind Period.
(vii) Counterparty is not, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be, required to register as an investment company as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(viii) Counterparty is not insolvent, nor will Counterparty be rendered insolvent as a result of the Transaction or its performance of the terms hereof.
(ix) Without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, Counterparty acknowledges that Dealer is not making any representations or warranties or taking any position or expressing any view with respect to the treatment of the Transaction under any accounting standards including ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entitys Own Equity (or any successor issue statements) or under FASBs Liabilities & Equity Project.
(x) Counterparty understands that no obligations of Dealer to it hereunder will be entitled to the benefit of deposit insurance and that such obligations will not be guaranteed by any affiliate of Dealer or any governmental agency.
(xi) To Counterpartys actual knowledge, no federal, state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Dealer or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares, other than Sections 13 and 16 under the Exchange Act and the Federal Power Act.
(xii) No filing with, or approval, authorization, consent, license, registration, qualification, order or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery and performance by Counterparty of this Confirmation and the consummation of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the issuance and delivery of Shares on any Settlement Date) except (A) such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and (B) as may be required to be obtained under state securities laws.
(xiii) Counterparty (A) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business affairs as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of entering into the Transaction, (B) has consulted with its own legal, financial, accounting and tax advisors in connection with the Transaction, and (C) is entering into the Transaction for a bona fide business purpose.
12
(xiv) Counterparty will, by the next succeeding Scheduled Trading Day following the occurrence thereof, notify Dealer upon obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of any event that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Adjustment Event.
(xv) Counterparty (i) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities, (ii) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing, and (iii) has total assets of at least USD 50 million as of the date hereof.
(e) Acceleration Events. Each of the following events shall constitute an Acceleration Event:
(i) Stock Borrow Event. In the commercially reasonable judgment of Dealer (A) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) is not able to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction because insufficient Shares are made available for borrowing by securities lenders or (B) Dealer (or an affiliate of Dealer) would incur a cost (excluding any balance sheet charges or funding costs incurred by such party) to borrow (or to maintain a borrow of) Shares to hedge in a commercially reasonable manner its exposure under the Transaction that is greater than a rate equal to 200 basis points per annum (each, a Stock Borrow Event);
(ii) Dividends and Other Distributions. On any day occurring after the Trade Date, Counterparty declares a distribution, issue or dividend to existing holders of the Shares of (A) any cash dividend (other than an Extraordinary Dividend) for which such cash dividend (x) has an ex-dividend date that occurs before a Forward Price Reduction Date, or (y) for which the amount exceeds, on a per Share basis, the Forward Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite the first date of any such period on Schedule I, (B) any Extraordinary Dividend, (C) any share capital or other securities of another issuer acquired or owned (directly or indirectly) by Counterparty as a result of a spin-off or other similar transaction or (D) any other type of securities (other than Shares), rights or warrants or other assets, in any case for payment (cash or other consideration) at less than the prevailing market price, as determined in a commercially reasonable manner by Dealer; Extraordinary Dividend means any dividend or distribution (that is not an ordinary cash dividend) declared by Counterparty with respect to the Shares that, in the commercially reasonable determination of Dealer, is (1) a dividend or distribution declared on the Shares at a time at which Counterparty has not previously declared or paid dividends or distributions on such Shares for the prior four quarterly periods, (2) a payment or distribution by Counterparty to holders of Shares that Counterparty announces will be an extraordinary or special dividend or distribution or (3) any other special dividend or distribution on the Shares that is, by its terms or declared intent, outside the normal course of operations or normal dividend policies or practices of Counterparty;
(iii) ISDA Termination. Either Dealer or Counterparty has the right to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement, in which case, except as otherwise specified herein and except as a result of an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) of the Agreement, the provisions of Paragraph 7(f) below shall apply in lieu of the consequences specified in Section 6 of the Agreement;
(iv) Other ISDA Events. An Announcement Date occurs in respect of any Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Insolvency, Delisting or the occurrence of any Hedging Disruption or Change in Law; provided that, in case of a Delisting, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors); provided, further, that (i) the definition of Change in Law provided in Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (A) replacing the phrase the interpretation in the third line thereof with the phrase or
13
announcement or statement of the formal or informal interpretation and (B) immediately following the word Transaction in clause (X) thereof, adding the phrase in the manner contemplated by Dealer on the Trade Date and (ii) any determination as to whether (A) the adoption of or any change in any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, any tax law) or (B) the promulgation of or any change in or announcement or statement of the formal or informal interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law or regulation (including any action taken by a taxing authority), in each case, constitutes a Change in Law shall be made without regard to Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (the WSTAA) or any similar provision in any legislation enacted on or after the Trade Date; or
(v) Ownership Event. In the reasonable judgment of Dealer, on any day, the Share Amount for such day exceeds the Post-Effective Limit for such day (if any applies) (each, an Ownership Event). For purposes of this clause (v), the Share Amount as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a Dealer Person) under any law, rule, regulation or regulatory order or Counterparty constituent document that for any reason is, or after the Trade Date becomes, applicable to ownership of Shares (Applicable Provisions), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership of under the Applicable Provisions, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The Post-Effective Limit means (x) the minimum number of Shares that would give rise to reporting or registration obligations (except for any filing requirements on Form 13F, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act, in each case, as in effect on the Trade Date) or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or would result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under the Applicable Provisions, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (y) 1.0% of the number of Shares outstanding.
(f) Termination Settlement. Upon the occurrence of any Acceleration Event, Dealer shall have the right to designate, upon at least one Scheduled Trading Days notice, any Scheduled Trading Day following such occurrence to be a Settlement Date hereunder (a Termination Settlement Date) to which Physical Settlement shall apply, and to select the number of Settlement Shares relating to such Termination Settlement Date. If, upon designation of a Termination Settlement Date by Dealer pursuant to the preceding sentence, Counterparty fails to deliver the Settlement Shares relating to such Termination Settlement Date when due or otherwise fails to perform obligations within its control in respect of the Transaction, it shall be an Event of Default with respect to Counterparty and Section 6 of the Agreement shall apply (without regard to Paragraph 7(e)(iii) above). If an Acceleration Event occurs during an Unwind Period relating to a number of Settlement Shares to which Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement applies, then on the Termination Settlement Date relating to such Acceleration Event, notwithstanding any election to the contrary by Counterparty, Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement shall apply to the portion of the Settlement Shares relating to such Unwind Period as to which Dealer has unwound its hedge, and Physical Settlement shall apply in respect of (x) the remainder (if any) of such Settlement Shares and (y) the Settlement Shares designated by Dealer in respect of such Termination Settlement Date. If an Acceleration Event occurs after Counterparty has designated a Settlement Date to which Physical Settlement applies but before the relevant Settlement Shares have been delivered to Dealer, then Dealer shall have the right to cancel such Settlement Date and designate a Termination Settlement Date in respect of such Shares pursuant to the first sentence hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Nationalization or Merger Event, if at the time of the related relevant Settlement Date the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the nature of the Shares as it determines appropriate to account for such change such that the nature of the Shares is consistent with what shareholders receive in such event.
(g) Private Placement Procedures. If Counterparty is unable to comply with the provisions of sub-paragraph (ii) of Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Shares above because of a change in law or a change in the policy of the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff, or Dealer otherwise determines that in its reasonable opinion any Shares to be delivered to Dealer by Counterparty may not be freely returned by Dealer or its affiliates to securities lenders as described under such sub-paragraph (ii) or otherwise constitute restricted securities as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, then delivery of any such Shares (the Restricted Shares) shall be effected as provided below, unless waived by Dealer.
14
(i) If Counterparty delivers the Restricted Shares pursuant to this clause (i) (a Private Placement Settlement), then delivery of Restricted Shares by Counterparty shall be effected in accordance with private placement procedures customary for private placements of equity securities of substantially similar size with respect to such Restricted Shares reasonably acceptable to Dealer; provided that Counterparty may not elect a Private Placement Settlement if, on the date of its election, it has taken, or caused to be taken, any action that would make unavailable either the exemption pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act for the sale by Counterparty to Dealer (or any affiliate designated by Dealer) of the Restricted Shares or the exemption pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) or Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act for resales of the Restricted Shares by Dealer (or any such affiliate of Dealer), and if Counterparty fails to deliver the Restricted Shares when due or otherwise fails to perform obligations within its control in respect of a Private Placement Settlement, it shall be an Event of Default with respect to Counterparty and Section 6 of the Agreement shall apply (without regard to Paragraph 7(e)(iii) above). The Private Placement Settlement of such Restricted Shares shall include customary representations, covenants, blue sky and other governmental filings and/or registrations, indemnities to Dealer, due diligence rights (for Dealer or any designated buyer of the Restricted Shares by Dealer), opinions and certificates, and such other documentation as is customary for private placement agreements of equity securities of a substantially similar size, all reasonably acceptable to Dealer. In the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Dealer shall, in its good faith discretion, adjust the amount of Restricted Shares to be delivered to Dealer hereunder in a commercially reasonable manner to reflect the fact that such Restricted Shares may not be freely returned to securities lenders by Dealer and may only be saleable by Dealer at a discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in Restricted Shares. Notwithstanding the Agreement or this Confirmation, the date of delivery of such Restricted Shares shall be the Clearance System Business Day following notice by Dealer to Counterparty of the number of Restricted Shares to be delivered pursuant to this clause (i). For the avoidance of doubt, delivery of Restricted Shares shall be due as set forth in the previous sentence and not be due on the date that would otherwise be applicable.
(ii) If Counterparty delivers any Restricted Shares in respect of the Transaction, Counterparty agrees that (A) such Shares may be transferred by and among Dealer and its affiliates and (B) after the minimum holding period within the meaning of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act has elapsed, Counterparty shall promptly remove, or cause the transfer agent for the Shares to remove, any legends referring to any transfer restrictions from such Shares upon delivery by Dealer (or such affiliate of Dealer) to Counterparty or such transfer agent of any sellers and brokers representation letters customarily delivered by Dealer or its affiliates in connection with resales of restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each without any further requirement for the delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or any other action by Dealer (or such affiliate of Dealer).
(h) Rule 10b-5. It is the intent of Dealer and Counterparty that, following any election of Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement by Counterparty, the purchase of Shares by Dealer during any Unwind Period shall comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-l(c)(l)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act and that this Confirmation shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-l(c). Counterparty acknowledges that (i) during any Unwind Period Counterparty shall not have, and shall not attempt to exercise, any influence over how, when or whether to effect purchases of Shares by Dealer (or its agent or affiliate) in connection with this Confirmation and (ii) Counterparty is entering into the Agreement and this Confirmation in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with federal securities laws including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Counterparty further agrees to act in good faith with respect to this Confirmation and the Agreement.
(i) Waiver of Trial by Jury. EACH OF COUNTERPARTY AND DEALER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES (ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS) ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION OR THE ACTIONS OF DEALER OR ITS AFFILIATES IN THE NEGOTIATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
15
(j) Governing Law/Jurisdiction. This Confirmation and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Confirmation shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without reference to the conflict of laws provisions thereof. The parties hereto irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States Court for the Southern District of New York in connection with all matters relating hereto and waive any objection to the laying of venue in, and any claim of inconvenient forum with respect to, these courts.
(k) Insolvency Filing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Agreement or in the Definitions, upon any Insolvency Filing or other proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code in respect of Counterparty, the Transaction shall automatically terminate on the date thereof without further liability of either party to this Confirmation to the other party (except for any liability in respect of any breach of representation or covenant by a party under this Confirmation prior to the date of such Insolvency Filing or other proceeding), it being understood that the Transaction is a contract for the issuance of Shares by Counterparty.
(l) Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, each of Dealer and Counterparty and each of their employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.
(m) Counterparty Share Repurchases. Counterparty agrees not to repurchase, directly or indirectly, any Shares if, immediately following such purchase, the Outstanding Share Percentage would be equal to or greater than 5%. The Outstanding Share Percentage as of any day is the fraction (1) the numerator of which is the aggregate of the Number of Shares for the Transaction and the Number of Shares under each Additional Equity Derivative Transaction that is a share forward transaction and (2) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day.
(n) Limit on Beneficial Ownership. Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, Dealer shall not have the right to acquire Shares hereunder and Dealer shall not be entitled to take delivery of any Shares hereunder (in each case, whether in connection with the purchase of Shares on any Settlement Date or any Termination Settlement Date, any Private Placement Settlement or otherwise) to the extent (but only to the extent) that, after such receipt of any Shares hereunder, (i) the Share Amount would exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) Dealer and each person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder (the Dealer Group) would directly or indirectly beneficially own (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) in excess of 8% of the then outstanding Shares (the Threshold Number of Shares), (iii) Dealer would hold 5% or more of the number of Shares of Counterpartys outstanding common stock or 5% or more of Counterpartys outstanding voting power (the Exchange Limit) or (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of a number of Shares equal to 8% of the outstanding Shares (the FPA Limit). Any purported delivery hereunder shall be void and have no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that, after such delivery, (i) the Share Amount would exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) the Dealer Group would directly or indirectly so beneficially own in excess of the Threshold Number of Shares, (iii) Dealer would directly or indirectly so hold in excess of the Exchange Limit or (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of the FPA Limit. If any delivery owed to Dealer hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this provision, Counterpartys obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and Counterparty shall make such delivery as promptly as practicable after, but in no event later than one Scheduled Trading Day after, Dealer gives notice to Counterparty that, after such delivery, (i) the Share Amount would not exceed the Post-Effective Limit, (ii) the Dealer Group would not directly or indirectly so beneficially own in excess of the Threshold Number of Shares, (iii) Dealer would not directly or indirectly so hold in excess of the Exchange Limit and (iv) Dealer (including any person subject to aggregation of Shares with Dealer) would not beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership under the Federal Power Act in excess of the FPA Limit.
16
In addition, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any delivery owed to Dealer hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of the immediately preceding paragraph, Dealer shall be permitted to make any payment due in respect of such Shares to Counterparty in two or more tranches that correspond in amount to the number of Shares delivered by Counterparty to Dealer pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph.
(o) Commodity Exchange Act. Each of Dealer and Counterparty agrees and represents that it is an eligible contract participant as defined in Section 1a(18) of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the CEA), the Agreement and the Transaction are subject to individual negotiation by the parties and have not been executed or traded on a trading facility as defined in Section 1a(51) of the CEA.
(p) Bankruptcy Status. Subject to Paragraph 7(k) above, Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that are senior to the claims of Counterpartys common stockholders in any U.S. bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit Dealers right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to this Confirmation and the Agreement; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealers rights in respect of any transaction other than the Transaction.
(q) No Collateral or Setoff. Notwithstanding Section 6(f) or any other provision of the Agreement or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, the obligations of Counterparty hereunder are not secured by any collateral. Obligations in respect of the Transaction shall not be set off against any other obligations of the parties, whether arising under the Agreement, under any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and no other obligations of the parties shall be set off against obligations in respect of the Transaction, whether arising under the Agreement, under any other agreement between the parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise, and each party hereby waives any such right of setoff.
(r) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement or this Confirmation, in no event will Counterparty be required to deliver, in the aggregate in respect of all Settlement Dates or other dates on which Shares are delivered under the Transaction a number of Shares greater than 1.5 times the Number of Shares (the Share Cap). The Share Cap shall be subject to adjustment only on account of (x) Potential Adjustment Events of the type specified in (1) Sections 11.2(e)(i) through (vi) of the Equity Definitions or (2) Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions so long as, in the case of this sub-clause (2), such event is within Counterpartys control and (y) Merger Events requiring corporate action of Counterparty (or any surviving entity of Counterparty hereunder in connection with any such Merger Event). In the event Counterparty shall not have delivered the full number of Shares otherwise deliverable as a result of this Paragraph 7(r) (the resulting deficit for the Transaction, the Deficit Shares), Counterparty shall be continually obligated to deliver Shares, from time to time until the full number of Deficit Shares have been delivered pursuant to this Paragraph 7(r), on a pro rata basis between the Transaction and the Other Forward (as defined below), when, and to the extent that, (A) Shares are repurchased, acquired or otherwise received by Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries after the date hereof (whether or not in exchange for cash, fair value or any other consideration), (B) authorized and unissued Shares reserved for issuance in respect of other transactions prior to such date which prior to the relevant date become no longer so reserved or (C) Counterparty additionally authorizes any unissued Shares that are not reserved for transactions other than the Transaction (such events as set forth in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, collectively, the Share Issuance Events). Counterparty shall promptly notify Dealer of the occurrence of any of the Share Issuance Events (including the number of Shares subject to clause (A), (B) or (C) and the corresponding number of Shares to be delivered for the Transaction) and, as promptly as reasonably practicable, deliver such Shares thereafter. Counterparty shall not, until Counterpartys obligations under the Transaction have been satisfied in full, use any Shares that become available for potential delivery to Dealer as a result of any Share Issuance Event for the settlement or satisfaction of any transaction or obligation other than the Transaction (or the Other Forward on a pro rata basis as set forth above) or reserve any such Shares for future issuance for any purpose other than to satisfy Counterpartys obligations to Dealer under the Transaction (or the Other Forward on a pro rata basis as set forth above).
17
(s) Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010. The parties hereby agree that none of (i) Section 739 of the WSTAA, (ii) any similar legal certainty provision included in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the Trade Date, (iii) the enactment of the WSTAA or any regulation under the WSTAA, (iv) any requirement under the WSTAA or (v) any amendment made by the WSTAA shall limit or otherwise impair either partys right to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased cost, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Definitions or the Agreement (including, but not limited to, any right arising from any Acceleration Event).
(t) Other Forward. Dealer acknowledges that Counterparty has entered or may in the future enter into one or more substantially similar forward transactions for the Shares (each, an Other Forward and collectively, the Other Forwards) with one or more other dealers. Dealer and Counterparty agree that if Counterparty designates a Settlement Date with respect to one or more Other Forwards for which Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement is applicable and for which the resulting Unwind Period for any such Other Forwards coincides for any period of time with an Unwind Period for the Transaction (the Overlap Unwind Period), Counterparty shall notify Dealer at least one Scheduled Trading Day prior to the commencement of such Overlap Unwind Period of the first Scheduled Trading Day and the length of such Overlap Unwind Period, and Dealer shall be permitted to purchase Shares to unwind its hedge in respect of the Transaction only on alternating Scheduled Trading Days during such Overlap Unwind Period, commencing on the first, second, third or later Scheduled Trading Day of such Overlap Unwind Period (which alternating Scheduled Trading Days, for the avoidance of doubt, may be every other Scheduled Trading Day if there is only one other dealer, every third Scheduled Trading Day if there are two other dealers, etc.).
(u) Indemnity. Counterparty agrees to indemnify Dealer and its affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (Dealer and each such affiliate or person being an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint and several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Party arising out of, in connection with, or relating to, any breach of any covenant or representation made by Counterparty in this Confirmation or the Agreement and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto, except to the extent determined in a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from Dealers gross negligence, fraud, bad faith and/or willful misconduct. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any such claim, action or proceeding, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against Counterparty hereunder, notify Counterparty in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify Counterparty shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any Indemnified Party hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability otherwise. In case any such action shall be brought against any Indemnified Party and it shall notify Counterparty of the commencement thereof, Counterparty shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party (who shall not, except with the consent of the Indemnified Party, be counsel to Counterparty), and, after notice from Counterparty to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, Counterparty shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Paragraph 7(u) for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. Counterparty shall not have liability for any settlement or compromise of, or the consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any claim, action or proceeding contemplated by this Paragraph 7(u) that is effected without its prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The foregoing provisions shall survive any termination or completion of the Transaction.
(v) Tax Matters.
(i) Payer Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of the Agreement, each of Dealer and Counterparty makes the following representation: It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 9(h) of the Agreement or amounts payable hereunder that may be considered to be interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes) to be made by it to the other party
18
under the Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (A) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of the Agreement, (B) the satisfaction of the agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i) or Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and (C) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of the Agreement, except that it will not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause (B) above and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.
(ii) Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement:
(1) Dealer makes the following representations:
a. | It is a national banking association organized or formed under the laws of the United States of America and is an exempt recipient under section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)(M) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
(2) Counterparty makes the following representations:
a. | It is a U.S. person (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of U.S. Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
b. | It is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and is an exempt recipient under section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii)(J) of U.S. Treasury Regulations. |
(iii) Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-U.S. counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Tax as used in Paragraph 7(v) of this Confirmation, and Indemnifiable Tax, as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement, shall not include any FATCA Withholding Tax. For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d) of the Agreement.
Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
FATCA Withholding Tax means any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed or collected pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code.
(iv) 871(m) Protocol. To the extent that either party to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction is not an adhering party to the ISDA 2015 Section 871(m) Protocol published by ISDA on November 2, 2015 and available at www.isda.org, as may be amended, supplemented, replaced or superseded from time to time (the 871(m) Protocol), the parties agree that the provisions and amendments contained in the Attachment to the 871(m) Protocol are incorporated into and apply to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction as if set forth in full herein. The parties further agree that, solely for purposes of applying such provisions and amendments to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction, references to each Covered Master Agreement in the 871(m) Protocol will be deemed to be references to the Agreement with respect to the Transaction, and references to the Implementation Date in the 871(m) Protocol will be deemed to be references to the Trade Date of the Transaction. For greater certainty, if there is any inconsistency between this provision and the
19
provisions contained in any other agreement between the parties with respect to the Transaction, this provision shall prevail unless such other agreement expressly overrides the provisions of the Attachment to the 871(m) Protocol.
(v) Tax Documentation. For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Counterparty shall provide to Dealer a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any successor thereto, completed accurately and in a manner reasonably acceptable to Dealer and, in particular, with the C Corporation box checked on line 3 thereof (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Dealer; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by Counterparty has become inaccurate or incorrect.
For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Dealer shall provide to Counterparty a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8ECI, or any successor thereto, completed accurately and in a manner reasonably acceptable to Counterparty and, in particular, with the C Corporation or Corporation box checked on line 3 or 4 thereof, respectively, (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by Counterparty; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by Dealer has become inaccurate or incorrect.
(vi) Deduction or Withholding for Tax. Sections 2(d)(i), 2(d)(i)(4), 2(d)(ii)(1) of the Agreement and the definition of Tax are hereby amended by replacing the words pay, paid, payment or payments with the words pay or deliver, paid or delivered, payment or delivery or payments or deliveries, respectively.
(w) Counterparts:
a. | Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail or transmission (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., DocuSign and AdobeSign) (any such signature, an Electronic Signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. The words execution, signed, signature and words of like import in this Confirmation or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Confirmation shall include any Electronic Signature, except to the extent electronic notices are expressly prohibited under this Confirmation or the Agreement. |
(x) U.S. Stay Regulations.
a. | To the extent that the QFC Stay Rules are applicable hereto, then the parties agree that (i) to the extent that prior to the date hereof both parties have adhered to the 2018 ISDA U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol (the Protocol), the terms of the Protocol are incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation, and for such purposes this Confirmation shall be deemed a Protocol Covered Agreement and each party shall be deemed to have the same status as Regulated Entity and/or Adhering Party as applicable to it under the Protocol; (ii) to the extent that prior to the date hereof the parties have executed a separate agreement the effect of which is to amend the qualified financial contracts between them to conform with the requirements of the QFC Stay Rules (the Bilateral Agreement), the terms of the Bilateral Agreement are incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation and each party shall be deemed to have the status of Covered Entity or Counterparty Entity (or other similar term) as applicable to it under the Bilateral Agreement; or (iii) if clause (i) and clause (ii) do not apply, the terms of Section 1 and Section 2 and the related defined terms (together, the Bilateral Terms) of the form of bilateral template entitled Full-Length Omnibus (for use between U.S. G-SIBs and Corporate Groups) published by ISDA on November 2, 2018 (currently available on the 2018 |
20
ISDA U.S. Resolution Stay Protocol page at www.isda.org and, a copy of which is available upon request), the effect of which is to amend the qualified financial contracts between the parties thereto to conform with the requirements of the QFC Stay Rules, are hereby incorporated into and form a part of this Confirmation, and for such purposes this Confirmation shall be deemed a Covered Agreement, Dealer shall be deemed a Covered Entity and Counterparty shall be deemed a Counterparty Entity. In the event that, after the date of this Confirmation, both parties hereto become adhering parties to the Protocol, the terms of the Protocol will replace the terms of this Paragraph 7(x). In the event of any inconsistencies between this Confirmation and the terms of the Protocol, the Bilateral Agreement or the Bilateral Terms (each, the QFC Stay Terms), as applicable, the QFC Stay Terms will govern. Terms used in this Paragraph 7(x) without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them under the QFC Stay Rules. For purposes of this Paragraph 7(x), references to this Confirmation include any related credit enhancements entered into between the parties or provided by one to the other. In addition, the parties agree that the terms of this Paragraph 7(x) shall be incorporated into any related covered affiliate credit enhancements, with all references to Dealer replaced by references to the covered affiliate support provider. |
b. | QFC Stay Rules mean the regulations codified at 12 C.F.R. 252.2, 252.818, 12 C.F.R. 382.1-7 and 12 C.F.R. 47.1-8, which, subject to limited exceptions, require an express recognition of the stay-and-transfer powers of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Orderly Liquidation Authority under Title II of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the override of default rights related directly or indirectly to the entry of an affiliate into certain insolvency proceedings and any restrictions on the transfer of any covered affiliate credit enhancements. |
[Signature Page Follows]
21
Please confirm your agreement to be bound by the terms stated herein by executing the copy of this Confirmation enclosed for that purpose and returning it to us.
Yours sincerely, | ||
CITIBANK, N.A. | ||
By: | /s/ Ashwani Khubani | |
Name: | Ashwani Khubani | |
Title: | Managing Director Global Head of Power, Utilities & Renewables Corporate Banking |
[Signature Page to Registered Forward
Transaction Confirmation]
Confirmed as of the date first above written:
SEMPRA
By: | /s/ Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Name: | Bruce E. MacNeil | |
Title: | Vice President and Treasurer |
[Signature Page to Registered Forward
Transaction Confirmation]
Exhibit 5.1
12670 High Bluff Drive
San Diego, California 92130
Tel: +1.858.523.5400 Fax: +1.858.523.5450
www.lw.com
FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
| ||||
November 10, 2023 |
Austin
Beijing
Boston
Brussels
Century City
Chicago
Dubai
Düsseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hong Kong
Houston
London
Los Angeles
Madrid |
Milan
Munich
New York
Orange County
Paris
Riyadh
San Diego
San Francisco
Seoul
Silicon Valley
Singapore
Tel Aviv
Tokyo
Washington, D.C. |
Sempra
488 8th Avenue
San Diego, California 92101
Re: | Registration Statement No. 333-272237 - Issuance of 19,714,286 Shares of Common Stock |
To the addressees set forth above:
We have acted as special counsel to Sempra, a California corporation (the Company), in connection with the proposed issuance of 19,714,286 shares of the Companys common stock, no par value (Common Stock). Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, dated November 7, 2023 (the Underwriting Agreement), by and among the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. (Morgan Stanley) and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Citi), as representatives of the several underwriters named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement (collectively, the Underwriters), and Morgan Stanley and Citi, as agent for Citibank N.A. (Citibank) (collectively, in their capacities as sellers of Firm Shares (as defined below), the Forward Sellers), the Forward Sellers will borrow from third parties and sell to the Underwriters 17,142,858 shares (the Firm Shares) of Common Stock and the Company will issue and sell to the Underwriters 2,099,152 shares of Common Stock (the Option Shares), and pursuant to those certain letter agreements (collectively, the Forward Sale Agreements), dated November 7, 2023, by and between the Company and each of Morgan Stanley and Citibank (in their capacities thereunder, the Forward Purchasers), the Company has agreed to issue and sell, and the Forward Purchasers have agreed to purchase (subject to the Companys right to elect cash settlement or net share settlement in accordance with the terms of the Forward Sale Agreements), 17,142,858 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as set forth therein (the Forward Shares). The Option Shares and the Forward Shares are collectively referred to herein as the Shares. The Shares are included in a registration
November 10, 2023
Page 2
statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on May 26, 2023 (Registration No. 333-272237) (the Registration Statement).
This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Shares.
As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the Corporations Code of the State of California (the Corporations Code), and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.
Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, (i) when the Option Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the purchasers, and have been issued by the Company against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the issue and sale of the Option Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Option Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (ii) when and to the extent the Forward Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the purchasers, and have been issued by the Company against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the Forward Sale Agreements, the issue and sale of the Forward Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Forward Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the Corporations Code.
This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Companys Form 8-K dated November 10, 2023 and to the reference to our firm contained in the prospectus for the offering of the Shares under the heading Legal Matters. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Sincerely,
/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP