EXHIBIT 3.1
SECOND AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
FIRST: The name of the Corporation shall be Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
SECOND: The location of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Ohio shall be in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
THIRD: The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be formed under Sections 1701.01 through 1701.98, inclusive, of the Ohio Revised Code.
FOURTH: The maximum number of shares the Corporation is authorized to have outstanding is Two Hundred Thirty-one Million (231,000,000) shares, consisting of the following:
(a) Three Million (3,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value (“Class A Preferred Stock”);
(b) Four Million (4,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class B, without par value (“Class B Preferred Stock”); and
(c) Two Hundred Twenty-four Million (224,000,000) Common Shares, par value $0.125 per share (“Common Shares”).
DIVISION A:
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE SERIAL PREFERRED STOCK,
CLASS A, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
The Class A Preferred Stock shall have the following express terms:
SECTION 1. Series The Class A Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. All shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall be of equal rank and shall be identical, except in respect of the matters that may be fixed by the Directors as hereinafter provided, and each share of each series shall be identical with all other shares of such series, except as to the date from which dividends are cumulative. All shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall also be of equal rank and shall be identical with shares of Class B Preferred Stock except in respect of (i) the particulars that may be fixed and determined by the Directors as hereinafter provided, (ii) the voting rights and provisions for consent relating to Class A Preferred Stock as fixed and determined by Section 5 of this Division A and (iii) the conversion rights of any series of Class A Preferred Stock which may be fixed and determined by the Directors subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Division A. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this Division A, which provisions shall apply to all Class A Preferred Stock, the Directors hereby are authorized to cause such shares to be issued in one or more series and with respect to each such series to fix:
(a) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter and/or title.
(b) The number of shares of the series, which number the Directors may (except where otherwise provided in the creation of the series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding).
(c) The dividend rights of the series which may be: cumulative or non-cumulative; at a specified rate, amount or proportion; or with or without further participation rights.
(d) The dates at which dividends, if declared, shall be payable, and the dates from which dividends, if cumulative, shall accumulate.
(e) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.
(f) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series.
(g) The amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(h) Whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into shares of any other class or series of the Corporation, and if so, the specification of such other class or series, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates as of which such shares shall be convertible, and other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made.
(i) Restrictions (in addition to those set forth in Section 5(c) of this Division) on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.
The Directors are authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the Articles of Incorporation fixing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in clauses (a) to (i), inclusive, of this Section 1.
SECTION 2. Dividends.
(a) The holders of Class A preferred Stock of each series, in preference to the holders of Common Shares and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefor and when and as declared by the Directors dividends in cash at the rate for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division A and no more, payable on the dividend payment dates fixed for such series. Such dividends may be cumulative, in the case of shares of each particular series, from and after the date or dates fixed with respect to such series. No dividend may be paid upon or set apart for any of the Class A Preferred Stock on any dividend payment date unless (i) all dividends upon all Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock for all dividend payment dates prior to such date shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) at the same time a like dividend upon all series of Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then
outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock and having a dividend payment date on such date, ratably in proportion to the respective dividend rates of each such series or class, shall be paid or funds therefor set apart. Accumulations of dividends, if any, shall not bear interest.
(b) For the purpose of this Division A, a dividend shall be deemed to have been paid or funds therefor set apart on any date if on or prior to such date the Corporation shall have deposited funds sufficient therefor with a bank or trust company and shall have caused checks drawn against such funds in appropriate amounts to be mailed to each holder of record entitled to receive such dividend at such holder’s address then appearing on the books of the Corporation.
(c) In no event so long as any Class A Preferred Stock shall be outstanding shall any dividends, except a dividend payable in Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, be paid or declared or any distribution be made except as aforesaid on the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, nor shall any Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock be purchased, retired or otherwise acquired by the Corporation (except out of the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock received by the Corporation on or subsequent to the date on which shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock are first issued), unless (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends upon all Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of such action shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) as of the date of such action there shall be no arrearages with respect to the redemption of Class A Preferred Stock of any series from any sinking fund provided for shares of such series in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division A.
SECTION 3. Redemption.
(a) Subject to the express terms of each series and to the provisions of Section 5(c)(iii) of this Division A, the Corporation (i) may from time to time redeem all or any part of the Class A Preferred Stock of any series at the time outstanding at the option of the Directors at the applicable redemption price for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division A, and (ii) shall from time to time make such redemptions of the Class A Preferred Stock of any series as may be required to fulfill the requirements of any sinking fund provided for shares of such series at the applicable sinking fund redemption price, fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division A, together in each case with (A) all then accrued and unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the redemption date and (B) if the redemption date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent such dividend payment date through the redemption date.
(b) Notice of every such redemption shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the holders of record of the Class A Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses then appearing on the books of the Corporation, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such redemption. At any time before or after notice has been given as above provided, the Corporation may deposit the aggregate redemption
price of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock to be redeemed, together with an amount equal to the aggregate amount of dividends payable upon such redemption, with any bank or trust company in Cleveland, Ohio, or New York, New York, having capital and surplus of more than $50,000,000, named in such notice, and direct that such deposited amount be paid to the respective holders of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock so to be redeemed upon surrender of the stock certificate or certificates held by such holders. Upon the giving of such notice and the making of such deposit such holders shall cease to be shareholders with respect to such shares and shall have no interest in or claim against the Corporation with respect to such shares except only the right to receive such money from such bank or trust company without interest or to exercise, before the redemption date, any unexpired privileges of conversion. In case less than all of the outstanding shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the Corporation shall select, pro rata or by lot, the shares so to be redeemed in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Directors.
(c) If the holders of shares of Class A Preferred Stock which shall have been called for redemption shall not, within six years after such deposit, claim the amount deposited for the redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust company and the Corporation shall be relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such holder.
(d) Any shares of Class A Preferred Stock which are (i) redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3, (ii) purchased and delivered in satisfaction of any sinking fund requirements provided for shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock, (iii) converted in accordance with the express terms of any such series, or (iv) otherwise acquired by the Corporation, shall resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of Class A Preferred Stock without serial designation; provided, however, that any such shares which are converted in accordance with the express terms thereof shall not be reissued as convertible shares.
SECTION 4. Liquidation.
(a) (1) The holders of Class A Preferred Stock of any series, shall, in case of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the Corporation, including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock, the amounts fixed with respect to shares of such series in accordance with Section 1 of this Division, plus an amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (ii) if such date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent dividend payment date through the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In case the net assets of the Corporation legally available therefor are insufficient to permit the payment upon all outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all classes ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount to which they are respectively entitled, then such net assets shall be distributed ratably upon outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of
stock of all classes ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock in proportion to the full preferential amount to which each such share is entitled.
(2) After payment to holders of Class A Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts as aforesaid, holders of Class A Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.
(b) The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up for the purposes of this Division A.
SECTION 5. Voting.
(a) The holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock upon all matters presented to the shareholders; and, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law, the holders of Class A Preferred Stock and the holders of Common Shares shall vote together as one class on all matters presented to the shareholders.
(b) (1) If, and so often as, the Corporation shall be in default in the payment of dividends on any series of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, or funds therefor have not been set apart, in an amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends on any such series of Class A Preferred Stock whether or not consecutive and whether or not earned or declared, the holders of Class A Preferred Stock of all series, voting separately as a class, and in addition to any other rights which the shares of any series of Class A Preferred Stock may have to vote for Directors, shall thereafter be entitled to elect, as herein provided, two Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that the special class voting rights provided for in this paragraph when the same shall have become vested shall remain so vested (i) in the case of cumulative dividends, until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Class A Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart, or (ii) in the case of non-cumulative dividends, until full dividends on the Class A Preferred Stock of all series than outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart regularly for a period of one year, whereupon the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be divested of their special class voting rights in respect of subsequent elections of Directors, subject to the revesting of such special class voting rights in the event hereinabove specified in this paragraph.
(2) In the event of default entitling the holders of Class A Preferred Stock to elect two Directors as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a special meeting of such holders for the purpose of electing such Directors shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon written request of, or may be called by, the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock of all series at the time outstanding, and notice thereof shall be given in the same manner as that required for the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be required to call such special meeting if the annual meeting of shareholders or any other special meeting of shareholders called or to be called for a different purpose shall be held within 120 days after the date of receipt of the foregoing written request from the holders of Class A Preferred Stock. At any meeting at which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to elect Directors, the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of the then outstanding shares of Class A Preferred Stock of all series, present in person or by proxy, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum, and the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares so present at any such meeting at which there shall be such a quorum shall be sufficient to elect the Directors which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock are entitled to elect as hereinabove provided. Notwithstanding any provision of these Articles of Incorporation or the Regulations of the Corporation or any action taken by the holders of any class of shares fixing the number of Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors who may be elected by the holders of Class A Preferred Stock pursuant to this subsection shall serve in addition to any other Directors then in office or proposed to be elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent any change otherwise permitted in the total number of Directors of the Corporation or require the resignation of any Director elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any classification of the other Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors elected by the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be elected annually for the terms expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that whenever the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting power as above provided, the terms of office of all persons elected as Directors by the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock as a class shall immediately terminate and the number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
(c) Except as hereinafter provided, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect, any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of Class A Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such vote):
(i) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or of the Regulations of the Corporation which affects adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock; provided, however, that for the purpose of this paragraph 5(c)(i) only, neither the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation so as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding amount of Class A Preferred Stock or of any shares of any class ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class A Preferred Stock nor the amendment of the provisions of the Regulations so as to change the number of Directors of the Corporation shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock; and provided further, that if such amendment, alteration or repeal affects adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of one or more but not all series of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the number of shares at the time outstanding of each series so affected, each such affected series voting separately as a series, shall also be required;
(ii) The authorization, creation or the increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any class or any security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock; or
(iii) The purchase or redemption (for sinking fund purposes or otherwise) of less than all of the Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made to all holders of record of Class A Preferred Stock, unless all dividends on all Class A Preferred Stock then outstanding for all previous dividend periods shall have been declared and paid or funds therefor set apart and all accrued sinking fund obligations applicable thereto shall have been complied with;
provided, however, that in the case of any authorization, creation or increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any class or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock no such consent of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be required if the holders of Class A Preferred Stock have previously received adequate notice of redemption to occur within 90 days. The foregoing proviso shall not apply and such consent of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall be required if any such redemption will be effected, in whole or in part, with the proceeds received from the sale of any such stock or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock.
(d) The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class A Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such vote):
(i) The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation to the extent any such consolidation or merger shall be required, pursuant to any applicable statute, to be approved by the holders of the shares of Class A Preferred Stock voting separately as a class; or
(ii) The authorization of any shares ranking on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock or an increase in the authorized number of shares of Class A Preferred Stock.
(e) Neither the vote, consent nor any adjustment of the voting rights of holders of shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall be required for an increase in the number of Common Shares authorized or issued or for stock splits of the Common Shares or for stock dividends on any class of stock payable solely in Common Shares, and none of the foregoing actions shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of Class A Preferred Stock within the meaning and for the purpose of this Division A.
SECTION 6. Conversion.
(a) If and to the extent that there are created series of Class A Preferred Stock which are convertible (hereinafter called “convertible series”) into Common Shares, as such shares shall be constituted as of the date of conversion, or into shares of any other class or series of the Corporation (hereinafter collectively called “conversion shares”), the following terms and provisions shall be applicable to all of such series, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in the terms of any such series.
(1) The maximum amount of Common Shares which may be authorized to be received upon conversion by the holders of any shares of a convertible series shall not exceed one Common Share for each share of such convertible series, subject to any adjustments which shall be required pursuant to any antidilution mechanism which the Directors may approve in respect of such convertible series.
(2) The holder of each share of a convertible series may exercise the conversion privilege in respect thereof by delivering to any transfer agent for the respective series the certificate for the share to be converted and written notice that the holder elects to convert such share. Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the date when such delivery is made, and such date is referred to in this Section as the “conversion date”. On the conversion date or as promptly thereafter as practicable the Corporation shall deliver to the holder of the stock surrendered for conversion, or as otherwise directed by such holder in writing, a certificate for the number of full conversion shares deliverable upon the conversion of such stock and a check or cash in respect of any fraction of a share as provided in subsection (3) of this Section. The person in whose name the stock certificate is to be registered shall be deemed to have become a holder of the conversion shares of record on the conversion date. No adjustment shall be made for any dividends on shares of stock surrendered for conversion or for dividends on the conversion shares delivered on conversion.
(3) The Corporation shall not be required to deliver fractional shares upon conversion of shares of a convertible series. If more than one share of a convertible series shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full conversion shares deliverable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares so surrendered. If any fractional interest in a conversion share would otherwise be deliverable upon the conversion, the Corporation shall in lieu of delivering a fractional share therefor make an adjustment therefor in cash at the current market value thereof, computed (to the nearest cent) on the basis of the closing price of the conversion share on the last business day before the conversion date.
(4) For the purpose of this Section, the “closing price of the conversion shares” on any business day shall be the last reported sales price per share on such day, or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if the conversion shares are not listed or admitted to the trading on such Exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which the conversion shares are listed or admitted to trading as determined by the Directors, which determination shall be conclusive, or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, as quoted by the automated quotation system of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, if not so quoted, the mean between the average bid and asked prices per conversion share in the over-the-counter market as furnished by any member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Directors for that purpose; and “business day” shall be each day on which the New York Stock Exchange or other national securities exchange or automated quotation system or over-the-counter market used for purposes of the above calculation is open for trading.
(b) Upon conversion of any convertible series the stated capital of the conversion shares delivered upon such conversion shall be the aggregate par value of the shares so delivered having par value, or, in the case of conversion shares without par value, shall be an amount equal to the stated capital represented by each such share outstanding at the time of such conversion. The stated capital of the Corporation shall be correspondingly increased or reduced to reflect the difference between the stated capital of the shares of the convertible series so converted and the stated capital of the conversion shares delivered upon such conversion.
(c) In case of any reclassification or change of outstanding conversion shares (except a split or combination, or a change in par value, or a change from par value to no par value, or a change from no par value to par value) , provision shall be made as part of the terms of such reclassification or change that the holder of each share of each convertible series then outstanding shall have the right to receive upon the conversion of such share, at the conversion rate or price which otherwise would be in effect at the time of conversion, with substantially the same protection against dilution as is provided in the terms of such convertible series, the same kind and amount of stock and other securities and property as such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive upon the happening of any of the events described above had such share been converted immediately prior to the happening of the event.
(d) In case the Corporation shall be consolidated with or shall merge into any other corporation, provision shall be made as a part of the terms of such consolidation or merger whereby the holder of each share of each convertible series outstanding immediately prior to such event shall thereafter be entitled to such conversion rights with respect to securities of the corporation resulting from such consolidation or merger as shall be substantially equivalent to the conversion rights specified in the terms of such convertible series; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to be satisfied if such consolidation or merger shall be approved by the holders of Class A Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(d) of this Division A.
(e) The issue of stock certificates on conversions of shares of each convertible series shall be without charge to the converting shareholder for any tax in respect of the issue thereof. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the registration of shares in any name other than that of the holder of the shares converted, and the Corporation shall not be required to deliver any such stock certificate unless and until the person or persons requesting the delivery thereof shall have paid to the Corporation the amount of such tax or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.
(f) The Corporation hereby reserves and shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares, for the purpose of delivery upon conversion of shares of each convertible series, such number of conversion shares as shall from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of all convertible series of Class A Preferred Stock.
SECTION 7. Definitions. For the purpose of this Division A:
(a) Whenever reference is made to shares “ranking prior to the Class A Preferred Stock”, such reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof either as to the payment of dividends or as to distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are given preference over the rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock.
(b) Whenever reference is made to shares “on a parity with the Class A Preferred Stock”, such reference shall mean and include all shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all other shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof (i) are not given preference over the rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock either as to the payment of dividends or as to distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and (ii) either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, or as to both, rank on an equality (except as to the amounts fixed therefor) with the rights of the holders of Class A Preferred Stock.
(c) Whenever reference is made to shares “ranking junior to the Class A Preferred Stock” such reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof both as to the payment of dividends and as to distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are junior and subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock.
DIVISION B:
Express Terms of the Serial Preferred Stock,
Class B, Without Par Value
The Class B Preferred Stock shall have the following express terms:
SECTION 1. Series. The Class B Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. All shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall be of equal rank and shall be identical, except in respect of the matters that may be fixed by the Directors as hereinafter provided, and each share of each series shall be identical with all other shares of such series, except as to the date from which dividends are cumulative. All shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall also be of equal rank and shall be identical with shares of Class A Preferred Stock except in respect of (i) the particulars that may be fixed and determined by the Directors as hereinafter provided, (ii) the voting rights and provisions for consent relating to Class B Preferred Stock, as fixed and determined by Section 5 of this Division B and (iii) any conversion rights which the Directors may grant any series of Class A Preferred Stock which rights shall not be granted in respect of any series of Class B Preferred Stock. Subject to the provisions of Sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this Division B, which provisions shall apply to all Class B Preferred Stock, the Directors hereby are authorized to cause such shares to be issued in one or more series and with respect to each such series to fix:
(a) The designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter and/or title.
(b) The number of shares of the series, which number the Directors may (except where otherwise provided in the creation of the series) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding).
(c) The dividend rights of the series which may be: cumulative or non-cumulative; at a specified rate, amount or proportion; or with or without further participation rights.
(d) The dates at which dividends, if declared, shall be payable, and the dates from which dividends, if cumulative, shall accumulate.
(e) The redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series.
(f) The terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series.
(g) The amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation.
(h) Restrictions (in addition to those set forth in Section 5(c) of this Division) on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series.
The Directors are authorized to adopt from time to time amendments to the Articles of Incorporation fixing, with respect to each such series, the matters described in clauses (a) to (h), inclusive, of this Section 1.
SECTION 2. Dividends.
(a) The holders of Class B Preferred Stock of each series, in preference to the holders of Common Shares and of any other class of shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, shall be entitled to receive out of any funds legally available therefor and when and as declared by the Directors dividends in cash at the rate for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division B and no more, payable on the dividend payment dates fixed for such series. Such dividends may be cumulative, in the case of shares of each particular series, from and after the date or dates fixed with respect to such series. No dividend may be paid upon or set apart for any of the Class B Preferred Stock on any dividend payment date unless (i) all dividends upon all series of Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock for all dividend payment dates prior to such date shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) at the same time a like dividend upon all series of Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding and all classes of stock then outstanding ranking prior to or on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock and having a dividend payment date on such date, ratably in proportion to the respective dividend rates of each such series or class, shall be paid or funds therefor set apart. Accumulations of dividends, if any, shall not bear interest.
(b) For the purpose of this Division B, a dividend shall be deemed to have been paid or funds therefor set apart on any date if on or prior to such date the Corporation shall have deposited funds sufficient therefor with a bank or trust company and shall have caused checks drawn against such funds in appropriate amounts to be mailed to each holder of
record entitled to receive such dividend at such holder’s address then appearing on the books of the Corporation.
(c) In no event so long as any Class B Preferred Stock shall be outstanding shall any dividends, except a dividend payable in Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, be paid or declared or any distribution be made except as aforesaid on the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, nor shall any Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock be purchased, retired or otherwise acquired by the Corporation (except out of the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares or other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock received by the Corporation on or subsequent to the date on which shares of any series of Class B Preferred Stock are first issued) , unless (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends upon all Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of such action shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart and (ii) as of the date of such action there shall be no arrearages with respect to the redemption of Class B Preferred Stock of any series from any sinking fund provided for shares of such series in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division B.
SECTION 3. Redemption.
(a) Subject to the express terms of each series and to the provisions of Section 5(c)(iii) of this Division B, the Corporation (i) may from time to time redeem all or any part of the Class B Preferred Stock of any series at the time outstanding at the option of the Directors at the applicable redemption price for such series fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division B, and (ii) shall from time to time make such redemptions of the Class B Preferred Stock of any series as may be required to fulfill the requirements of any sinking fund provided for shares of such series at the applicable sinking fund redemption price, fixed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 of this Division B, together in each case with (A) all then accrued and unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the redemption date and (B) if the redemption date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent such dividend payment date through the redemption date.
(b) Notice of every such redemption shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the holders of record of the Class B Preferred Stock to be redeemed at their respective addresses then appearing on the books of the Corporation, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such redemption. At any time before or after notice has been given as above provided, the Corporation may deposit the aggregate redemption price of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, together with an amount equal to the aggregate amount of dividends payable upon such redemption, with any bank or trust company in Cleveland, Ohio, or New York, New York, having capital and surplus of more than $50,000,000, named in such notice, and direct that such deposited amount be paid to the respective holders of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock so to be redeemed upon surrender of the stock certificate or certificates held by such holders. Upon the giving of such notice and the making of such deposit such holders shall cease to be shareholders with respect to such shares and shall have no interest in or claim against the Corporation with respect to such shares except only the right to receive such money from such bank or trust company without interest or to exercise, before the redemption date, any unexpired privileges of conversion. In case less than all of the outstanding shares of any series of
Class B Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the Corporation shall select, pro rata or by lot, the shares so to be redeemed in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Directors.
(c) If the holders of shares of Class B Preferred Stock which shall have been called for redemption shall not, within six years after such deposit, claim the amount deposited for the redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation such unclaimed amounts and thereupon such bank or trust company and the Corporation shall be relieved of all responsibility in respect thereof to such holders.
(d) Any shares of Class B Preferred Stock which are (i) redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3, (ii) purchased and delivered in satisfaction of any sinking fund requirements provided for shares of any series of Class B Preferred Stock, (iii) converted in accordance with the express terms of any such series, or (iv) otherwise acquired by the Corporation, shall resume the status of authorized and unissued shares of Class B Preferred Stock without serial designation; provided, however, that any such shares which are converted in accordance with the express terms thereof shall not be reissued as convertible shares.
SECTION 4. Liquidation.
(a) (1) The holders of Class B Preferred Stock of any series, shall, in case of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the Corporation, including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock, the amounts fixed with respect to shares of such series in accordance with Section 1 of this Division, plus an amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid dividends upon such shares for all dividend payment dates on or prior to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (ii) if such date is not a dividend payment date for such series, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent dividend payment date through the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In case the net assets of the Corporation legally available therefor are insufficient to permit the payment upon all outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all classes ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock of the full preferential amount to which they are respectively entitled, then such net assets shall be distributed ratably upon outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock and all outstanding shares of stock of all classes ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock in proportion to the full preferential amount to which each such share is entitled.
(2) After payment to holders of Class B Preferred Stock of the full preferential amounts as aforesaid, holders of Class B Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Corporation.
(b) The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all the property or business of the Corporation, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up for the purposes of this Division B.
SECTION 5. Voting.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein or required by law, the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote.
(b) (1) If, and so often as, the Corporation shall be in default in the payment of dividends on any series of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, or funds therefor have not been set apart, in an amount equivalent to six full quarterly dividends on any such series of Class B Preferred Stock, whether or not consecutive and whether or not earned or declared, the holders of Class B Preferred Stock of all series, voting separately as a class, shall thereafter be entitled to elect, as herein provided, two Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that the special class voting rights provided for in this paragraph when the same shall have become vested shall remain so vested (i) in the case of cumulative dividends, until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Class B Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart, or (ii) in the case of non-cumulative dividends, until full dividends on the Class B Preferred Stock of all series then outstanding shall have been paid or funds therefor set apart regularly for a period of one year, whereupon the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be divested of their special class voting rights in respect of subsequent elections of Directors, subject to the revesting of such special class voting rights in the event hereinabove specified in this paragraph.
(2) In the event of default entitling the holders of Class B Preferred Stock to elect two Directors as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a special meeting of such holders for the purpose of electing such Directors shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation upon written request of, or may be called by, the holders of record of at least ten percent (10%) of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock of all series at the time outstanding, and notice thereof shall be given in the same manner as that required for the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be required to call such special meeting if the annual meeting of shareholders or any other special meeting of shareholders called or to be called for a different purpose shall be held within 120 days after the date of receipt of the foregoing written request from the holders of Class B Preferred Stock. At any meeting at which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect Directors, the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of the then outstanding shares of Class B Preferred Stock of all series, present in person or by proxy, shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum, and the vote of the holders of a majority of such shares so present at any such meeting at which there shall be such a quorum shall be sufficient to elect the Directors which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock are entitled to elect as hereinabove provided. Notwithstanding any provision of these Articles of Incorporation or the Regulations of the Corporation or any action taken by the holders of any class of shares fixing the number of Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors who may be elected by the holders of Class B Preferred Stock pursuant to this subsection shall serve in addition to any other Directors then in office or proposed to be elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent any change otherwise permitted in the total number of Directors of the Corporation or require the resignation of any Director elected otherwise than pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any classification of the other Directors of the Corporation, the two Directors elected by the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be elected annually for the terms expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that whenever the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be divested of the voting power as
above provided, the terms of office of all persons elected as Directors by the holders of the Class B Preferred Stock as a class shall immediately terminate and the number of Directors shall be reduced accordingly.
(c) Except as hereinafter provided, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of Class B Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be affected with such vote):
(i) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or of the Regulations of the Corporation which affects adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock; provided, however, that for the purpose of this paragraph 5(c)(i) only, neither the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation so as to authorize, create or change the authorized or outstanding amount of Class B Preferred Stock or of any shares of any class ranking on a parity with or junior to the Class B Stock nor the amendment of the provisions of the Regulations so as to change the number of Directors of the Corporation shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock; and provided further, that if such amendment, alteration or repeal affects adversely the preference or voting or other rights of one or more but not all series of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the number of shares at the time outstanding of each series so affected, each such affected series voting separately as a series, shall also be required;
(ii) The authorization, creation or the increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any class or any security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock; or
(iii) The purchase or redemption (for sinking fund purposes or otherwise) of less than all of the Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding except in accordance with a stock purchase offer made to all holders of record of Class B Preferred Stock, unless all dividends on all Class B Preferred Stock then outstanding for all previous dividend periods shall have been declared and paid or funds therefor set apart and all accrued sinking fund obligations applicable thereto shall have been complied with;
provided, however, that in the came of any authorization, creation or increase in the authorized amount of any shares of any class or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock no such consent of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be required if the holders of Class B Preferred Stock have previously received adequate notice of redemption to occur within 90 days. The foregoing proviso shall not apply and such consent of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall be required if any such redemption will be effected, in whole or in part, with the proceeds received from the sale of any such stock or security convertible into shares of any class, in either case, ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock.
(d) The affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, given in person or by proxy at a meeting called for the purpose at which the holders of Class B Preferred Stock shall vote separately as a class, shall be necessary to effect any one or more of the following (but so far as the holders of the Class B Preferred Stock are concerned, such action may be effected with such vote):
(i) The consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation to the extent any such consolidation or merger shall be required, pursuant to any applicable statute, to be approved by the holders of the shares of Class B Preferred Stock voting separately as a clams; or
(ii) The authorization of any shares ranking on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock or an increase in the authorized number of shares of Class B Preferred Stock.
(e) Neither the vote or consent of the holders of shares of Class B Preferred Stock shall be required for an increase in the number of Common Shares authorized or issued or for stock splits of the Commons Shares or for stock dividends on any class of stock payable solely in Common Shares, and none of the foregoing actions shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferences or voting or other rights of Class B Preferred Stock within the meaning and for the purpose of this Division B.
SECTION 6. Conversion. There Shall not be created any series of Class B Preferred Stock which will be convertible into Common Shares or into shares of any other class or series of the Corporation.
SECTION 7. Definitions. For the purpose of this Division B:
(a) Whenever reference is made to shares “ranking prior to the Class B Preferred Stock”, such reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are given preference over the rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock.
(b) Whenever reference is made to shares “on a parity with the Class B Preferred Stock”, such reference shall mean and include all shares of Class A Preferred Stock and all other shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof (i) are not given preference over the right of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock either as to the payment of dividends or as to distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and (ii) either as to the payment of dividends or as to distribution in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, or as to both, rank on an equality (except as to the amounts fixed therefor) with the rights of the holders of Class B Preferred Stock.
(c) Whenever reference is made to shares “ranking junior to the Class B Preferred Stock” such reference shall mean and include all shares of the Corporation in respect of which the rights of the holders thereof both as to the payment of dividends and as to distributions in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation are junior and subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Class B Preferred Stock.
DIVISION C:
Express Terms of Common Shares,
Par Value $1.00 Per Share
The Common Shares shall be subject to the express terms of the Class A Preferred Stock and the Class B Preferred Stock and of any series of such classes. Each Common Share shall be equal to every other Common Share. The holders of Common Shares shall have such rights as are provided by law and shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by them upon all matters presented to the shareholders.
FIFTH: The amount of stated capital with which the Corporation will begin business is Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
SIXTH: No holders of any class of shares of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or to have offered to them for purchase, any shares or other securities of the Corporation, whether now or hereafter authorized.
SEVENTH: The Corporation may from time to time, pursuant to authorization by the Directors and without action by the shareholders, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of the Corporation of any class or classes in such manner, upon such terms and in such amounts as the Directors shall determine, subject however, to such limitation or restriction, if any, as is contained in the express terms of any class of shares of the Corporation outstanding at the time of the purchase or acquisition in question.
EIGHTH: Any and every statute of the State of Ohio hereafter enacted whereby the rights, powers or privileges of corporations or of the shareholders of corporations organized under the laws of the State of Ohio are increased or diminished or are in any way affected, or whereby effect is given to the action taken by any number, less than all, of the shareholders of any such corporation, shall apply to the Corporation and shall be binding not only upon the Corporation but upon every shareholder of the Corporation to the same extent as if such statute had been in force at the date of filing of these Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of Ohio.
NINTH: The right to amend, alter, change or repeal any clause or provision of these Articles of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, is hereby reserved to the Corporation; and all rights conferred on officers, Directors and shareholders herein are granted subject to such reservation.
TENTH: Except as may otherwise be required by these Articles of Incorporation, notwithstanding any provisions of Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code now or hereafter in force requiring, for any action to be taken by the Corporation pursuant to such Chapter, the
affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the Corporation or of any class or classes of shares thereof, such action (unless otherwise expressly prohibited by such statute) may be taken by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Corporation or of such class or classes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the immediately preceding sentence of this Article TENTH shall not apply in respect of (a) any action taken by written consent of shareholders under Section 1701.11(A)(1)(c) (or any successor provision) of the Ohio Revised Code, (b) any action taken by written consent of shareholders under Section 1701.54(A) (or any successor provision) of the Ohio Revised Code, or (c) any action of shareholders under Section 1704.03(A)(3) (or any successor provision) of the Ohio Revised Code.
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT BY SHAREHOLDERS
TO
SECOND AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
RESOLVED, that Article Fourth of the Corporation’s Second Amended Articles of Incorporation is hereby deleted and amended and restated in its entirety as set forth below:
“FOURTH: The maximum number of shares the Corporation is authorized to have outstanding is Four Hundred Seven Million (407,000,000) shares, consisting of the following:
|
| |
(a) | Three Million (3,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value (“Class A Preferred Stock”); |
(b) | Four Million (4,000,000) shares of Serial Preferred Stock, Class B, without par value (“Class B Preferred Stock”); and |
(c) | Four Hundred Million (400,000,000) Common Shares, par value $0.125 per share (“Common Shares”).” |
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT BY DIRECTORS
TO THE
SECOND AMENDED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (the “Company”), in accordance with the Company’s Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”), and the Company’s Regulations and applicable law, at a meeting duly convened and held on February 11, 2013, authorized the Pricing Committee of the Board (the “Pricing Committee”) and the creation, issuance and sale by the Company of shares of its Series A Preferred Stock upon such terms as may be fixed by the Pricing Committee. Pursuant to the resolutions of the Board and the authority conferred upon the Pricing Committee, the Pricing Committee adopted the following resolutions on February 14, 2013, creating a series of up to 776,250 shares of Preferred Stock of the Company designated as “Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.”
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in the Pricing Committee by the Board, and in accordance with Section 1701.70(B)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code and Article FOURTH of the Company’s Articles, the Pricing Committee hereby establishes the terms of the Company’s 7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, without par value, and fixes and determines the authorized number of shares of the series, the dividend rate of shares of the series, the designations, and certain other powers, preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, with the Articles hereby amended to add such terms as Subdivision A-1 of Article FOURTH of the Articles as follows:
SUBDIVISION A-1
EXPRESS TERMS OF THE 7.00% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, CLASS A
There is hereby established a series of Class A Preferred Stock to which the following provisions, in addition to the provisions of Division A of this Article Fourth (“Division A”), shall be applicable:
Section1. Designation of Series. The stock shall be designated “7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock” (hereinafter called “Series A Preferred Stock”).
Section 2. Number of Shares; Fractional Shares. (A) The number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be 675,000 (as increased from time to time, up to an aggregate of 776,250 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, by an amount equal to the number of any additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock underlying the Corporation’s depositary shares purchased by the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of their over-allotment option as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement), which number the Board of Directors may decrease (but not below the number of shares of the series then Outstanding).
(b) Each holder of a fractional interest in a share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the Series A Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the conversion, dividend, voting and liquidation rights contained in this Subdivision.
Section 3. Certain Definitions.
“Accumulated Dividend Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(i) of this Subdivision.
“Additional Conversion Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b) of this Subdivision.
“Additional Fundamental Change Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ix) of this Subdivision.
“ADRs” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this Subdivision.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Applicable Market Value” means the Average VWAP per Common Share over the Final Averaging Period, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Articles of Incorporation” means the Corporation’s Second Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
“Average VWAP” per Common Share over a certain period means the average of the VWAP per share for each Trading Day in such period. The “Average VWAP” per share of Capital Stock or share of equity interest, as applicable, over a certain period means the average of the per share volume-weighted average price for such security as displayed on the relevant Bloomberg page in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time for each Trading Day in such period (or, if such price is not available, the market value per share of the relevant security on each such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose).
“Board of Directors” means either the board of directors of the Corporation or any duly authorized committee of such board.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
“Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity.
“Certificated Series A Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 13 of this Subdivision.
“close of business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
“Common Shares” means the common shares of the Corporation, par value $0.125 per share.
“Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 15(a) of this Subdivision.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(e)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Conversion Price” per share of Series A Preferred Stock means, on any date, the Liquidation Preference, divided by the Conversion Rate in effect on such date.
“Conversion Rate,” which is the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date, shall, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision, be as follows:
(a) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is greater than the Threshold Appreciation Price, then the Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate;
(b) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is less than or equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price but equal to or greater than the Initial Price, then the Conversion Rate shall be equal to $1,000, divided by the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares, which will be between 28.1480 and 34.4840 of the Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock; or
(c) if the Applicable Market Value of the Common Shares is less than the Initial Price, then the Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum Conversion Rate.
“Corporation” means Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., and shall include any successor to such Corporation.
“Current Market Price” means, for the purposes of determining the adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rate for the purposes of:
(i) Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, Section 9(d) of this Subdivision in the event of an adjustment not relating to a Spin-Off and Section 9(e) of this Subdivision, the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day before the ex-date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such computation;
(ii) Section 9(d) of this Subdivision in the event of an adjustment relating to a Spin-Off, the Average VWAP per Common Share, share of Capital Stock or share of equity interest, as applicable, over the first ten consecutive Trading Days commencing on, and including, the fifth Trading Day following the effective date of such distribution; and
(iii) Section 9(f) of this Subdivision, the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the seventh Trading Day after the Expiration Date of the tender or exchange offer.
“Depositary” means DTC or its successor depositary.
“Distributed Property” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
“Dividend Payment Date” means February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 each year to, and including, February 1, 2016, commencing May 1, 2013.
A full “Dividend Period” shall mean the period from, and including, a Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date, except that the initial “Dividend Period” will commence on, and include, the Initial Issue Date and will end on, and exclude, the May 1, 2013 Dividend Payment Date.
“Dividend Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
“Division A” shall have the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Subdivision.
“dollars” or “$” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 12 of this Subdivision.
“DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company.
“Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Early Conversion Average Price” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Early Conversion” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(i) of this Subdivision.
“Early Conversion Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(c)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“ex-date,” when used with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the Common Shares trade without the right to receive such issuance or distribution.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange Property” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this Subdivision.
“Expiration Date” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(f) of this Subdivision.
“Fair Market Value” means the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors.
“Final Averaging Period” means the 20 consecutive Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 23rd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding February 1, 2016.
“Five-Day Average Price” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b) of this Subdivision.
“Fixed Conversion Rates” means the Minimum Conversion Rate and the Maximum Conversion Rate collectively.
“Floor Price” means $10.15, which amount represents approximately 35% of the Initial Price, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Fundamental Change” means the occurrence, at any time after the Initial Issue Date of: (i) the consummation of any transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, recapitalization or otherwise) in connection with which 90% or more of the Common Shares are exchanged for, converted into, acquired for or constitutes solely the right to receive consideration 10% or more of which is not common stock that is listed on, or immediately after the transaction or event will be listed on, any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market; (ii) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable), other than the Corporation, any of the Corporation’s majority-owned Subsidiaries or any of the Corporation’s or the Corporation’s majority-owned Subsidiaries’ employee benefit plans, becoming the “beneficial owner,” directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of capital stock then outstanding entitled to vote generally in elections of the Board of Directors; or (iii) the Common Shares (or any other security into which the Series A Preferred Stock becomes convertible in connection with a Reorganization Event) ceases to be listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market.
“Fundamental Change Conversion Period” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Fundamental Change Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(i) of this Subdivision.
“Holder” as applied to any share of the Series A Preferred Stock, or other similar terms, shall mean any Person in whose name at the time a particular share of Series A Preferred Stock is registered, who shall be treated by the Corporation and the Registrar as the absolute owner of those shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions and for all other purposes.
“Initial Dividend Threshold” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(e) of this Subdivision.
“Initial Issue Date” means February 21, 2013, the first date of original issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock.
“Initial Price” equals $1,000, divided by the Maximum Conversion Rate, which quotient is initially equal to approximately $29.00, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Last Reported Sale Price” of the Common Shares on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on that date as reported in composite transactions for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Shares are traded. If the Common Shares are not listed for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange on the relevant date, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the last quoted bid price for the Common Shares in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization. If the Common Shares are not so quoted, the “Last Reported Sale Price” shall be the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Shares on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Corporation for this purpose.
“Liquidation Preference” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6 of this Subdivision.
“Mandatory Conversion” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(b)(i) of this Subdivision.
“Mandatory Conversion Date” means the third Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period.
“Maximum Conversion Rate” means 34.4840 Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock, which is equal to $1,000, divided by the Initial Price, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Minimum Conversion Rate” means 28.1480 Common Shares per share of Series A Preferred Stock, which is equal to $1,000, divided by the Threshold Appreciation Price, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(e)(ii) of this Subdivision.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, any Assistant Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate that is delivered to the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent and that is signed by an Officer of the Corporation.
“Outstanding” means, when used with respect to Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date; provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action hereunder, Series A Preferred Stock owned by the Corporation or any Affiliate of the Corporation shall be deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Registrar shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Series A Preferred Stock that the Registrar has actual knowledge of being so owned shall be deemed not to be Outstanding.
“Paying Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 15(a) of this Subdivision.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Record Date” means with respect to the dividends payable on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, respectively, regardless of whether such day is a Business Day.
“Registrar” shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor thereto, as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
“Reorganization Common Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(b)(i) of this Subdivision.
“Reorganization Event” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this Subdivision.
“Reorganization Valuation Percentage” for any Reorganization Event shall be equal to (x) the arithmetic average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of one share of such Reorganization Common Stock over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period (determined as if references to “Common Shares” in the definition of “Last Reported Sale Price” were references to the “Reorganization Common Stock” for such Reorganization Event), divided by (y) the arithmetic average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of one Common Share over the relevant Reorganization Valuation Period.
“Reorganization Valuation Period” for any Reorganization Event means the five consecutive Trading Day period immediately preceding, but excluding, the effective date for such Reorganization Event.
“Scheduled Trading Day” means any day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series A Preferred Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 1 of this Subdivision.
“Spin-Off” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
“Stock Price” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 8(d)(v) of this Subdivision.
“Subdivision” means this Subdivision A-1 of Article Fourth of the Articles of Incorporation.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other equity interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (b) any partnership (i) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (ii) the only general partners of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
“Threshold Appreciation Price” means $1,000, divided by the Minimum Conversion Rate, which quotient is initially equal to approximately $35.53 per Common Share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9 of this Subdivision.
“Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Shares (x) are not suspended from trading, and on which trading in the Common Shares is not limited, on any national or regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market during any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer; and (y) have traded at least once on the national or regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market that is the primary market for the trading of the Common Shares; provided that if the Common Shares are not traded on any such exchange, association or market, “Trading Day” means any Business Day.
“Transfer Agent” shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., or any successor thereto, as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
“Trigger Event” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
“Underwriters” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BMO Capital Markets Corp., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
“Underwriting Agreement” means the Underwriting Agreement relating to the Series A Preferred Stock and the Corporation’s depositary shares underlying the Series A Preferred Stock, dated as of February 14, 2013, among the Corporation and the Underwriters.
“unit of Exchange Property” shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(a) of this Subdivision.
“VWAP” per Common Share on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed on Bloomberg page “CLF <Equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Trading Day; or, if such price is not available, “VWAP” means the market value per Common Share on such Trading Day as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose.
Section 4. Dividends. Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division A:
(a) The dividend rate (the “Dividend Rate”) for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 7.00% per share per annum on the Liquidation Preference of Series A Preferred Stock. Cash dividends at such Dividend Rate shall be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available therefor, in quarterly installments on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing May 1, 2013. Such dividends will accumulate from the most recent date as to which dividends have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Initial Issue Date, whether or not in any Dividend Period or Dividend Periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such dividends. Declared dividends will be payable on the relevant Dividend Payment Date to Holders of record as they appear on the stock register of the Corporation at the close of business on the immediately preceding Record Date, whether or not such Holders convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are automatically converted, after a Record Date and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date. If a Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day, without any interest or other payment in lieu of interest accruing with respect to this delay. Dividends
payable for the initial Dividend Period and any partial Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(b) The dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock for the initial Dividend Period will be $13.6111 per share of Series A Preferred Stock and will be payable, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, on May 1, 2013.
(c) The amount of dividends payable on each share of Series A Preferred Stock for each full Dividend Period (after the initial Dividend Period) shall be computed by dividing the Dividend Rate by four.
Section 5. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund. The provisions set forth in Section 3 of Division A and the proviso and immediately succeeding sentence immediately following Section 5(c)(iii) of Division A shall not apply to the Series A Preferred Stock. Instead, the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation or entitled to the benefits of any retirement or sinking fund.
Section 6. Liquidation Preference. Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division A, the Holders shall, in case of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, be entitled to receive in full out of the assets of the Corporation, including its capital, before any amount shall be paid or distributed among the holders of the Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, the amount of $1,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Liquidation Preference”), plus an amount equal to (i) all then accrued and unpaid dividends for all Dividend Payment Dates on or prior to the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, and (ii) if such date is not a Dividend Payment Date, a proportionate dividend, based on the number of elapsed days, for the period from the day after the most recent Dividend Payment Date through the date of payment of the amount due pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. For so long as any Series A Preferred Stock is Outstanding, the Corporation shall not issue any Class A Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference less than $1,000 per share.
Section 7. Voting. Subject to the applicable express provisions of Division A, any Director of the Corporation elected by the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock in accordance with Section 5(b)(1) of Division A may be removed at any time without cause by the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Class A Preferred Stock.
Section 8. Conversion Rights. (a) Applicability of Division A Conversion Provisions. The provisions related to conversion set forth in Section 6 of Division A shall not apply to the Series A Preferred Stock. Instead, the provisions related to conversion set forth in this Section 8 of this Subdivision shall apply to the Series A Preferred Stock and shall supersede and replace, in their entirety, the provisions related to conversion set forth in Section 6 of Division A.
(b) Mandatory Conversion. (i) Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock, unless previously converted pursuant to Section 8(c) or Section 8(d) of this Subdivision, shall automatically convert on the Mandatory Conversion Date (a “Mandatory Conversion”) into a number of Common Shares equal to the Conversion Rate. If the Corporation declares a dividend for the Dividend Period ending on February 1, 2016, the Corporation will pay such dividend to the Holders on the applicable Record Date, as described under Section 4(a) of this Subdivision. If on or prior to January 15, 2016 the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, the Conversion Rate will be increased so that Holders receive an additional number of Common Shares equal to (x) the amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that have not been declared (the “Additional Conversion Amount”), divided by (y) the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) 97% of the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the second Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date (the “Five-Day Average Price”). To the extent that the Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of the number of additional Common Shares added to the Conversion Rate and 97% of the Five-Day Average Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, declare and pay such excess amount in cash pro rata to the Holders.
(ii) The person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares as of the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date. Except as provided in Section 9 of this Subdivision, prior to the close of business on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose and Holders shall have no rights with respect to such Common Shares, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on such Common Shares, by virtue of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, other than the rights set forth in Section 5 of Division A.
(c) Conversion at the Option of the Holder. (i) Other than during a Fundamental Change Conversion Period, Holders have the right to convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of Series A Preferred Stock), at any time prior to February 1, 2016 (an “Early Conversion”), into Common Shares at the Minimum Conversion Rate.
(ii) If as of the effective date of any Early Conversion (the “Early Conversion Date”), the Corporation has not declared all or any portion of the accumulated and unpaid dividends for all full Dividend Periods ending on a Dividend Payment Date prior to such Early Conversion Date, the Conversion Rate shall be increased so that converting Holders receive an additional number of Common Shares equal to (x) such amount of accumulated and unpaid dividends that have not been declared for such full Dividend Periods (the “Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount”), divided by (y) the greater of (A) the Floor Price and (B) the Average VWAP per Common Share over the 20 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the third Trading Day immediately preceding the Early Conversion Date (the “Early Conversion Average Price”). To the extent that the Early Conversion Additional Conversion Amount exceeds the product of the number of additional Common Shares by which the Conversion Rate is increased and the Early Conversion Average Price, the Corporation shall not have any obligation to pay the shortfall in cash.
(iii) Except as described in clause (ii) above, upon any Early Conversion, the Corporation shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, unless the relevant Early Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and on or prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, in which case such dividend shall be paid on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holder of record of the converted shares as of such Record Date, as described under Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
(d) Conversion at the Option of the Holder upon Fundamental Change; Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount. (i) If a Fundamental Change occurs on or prior to February 1, 2016, Holders shall have the right to: (x) convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in whole or in part (but in no event less than one share of Series A Preferred Stock) (any such conversion pursuant to this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision being a “Fundamental Change Conversion”) into Common Shares at the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; (y) with respect to such converted shares, receive an amount equal to the present value, calculated using a discount rate of 5.00% per annum, of all dividend payments on such shares (excluding any accumulated and unpaid dividends for any Dividend Period prior to the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, including for the Dividend Period, if any, from the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the Effective Date to, but excluding, the Effective Date (collectively, the “Accumulated Dividend Amount”)) for all the remaining full Dividend Periods and for the partial Dividend Period from, and including, the Effective Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date (the “Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount”); and (z) with respect to such converted shares, to the extent that, as of the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change, there is any Accumulated Dividend Amount, receive payment of the Accumulated Dividend Amount, in the case of clauses (y) and (z), subject to the Corporation’s right to increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares in lieu of paying cash in respect of all or part of such amounts as set forth in Section 8(d)(ix) below; provided that, if the Effective Date or the Conversion Date falls after the Record Date for a declared dividend and prior to the next Dividend Payment Date, such dividend will be paid on such Dividend Payment Date to the Holders as of such Record
Date, as described under Section 4(a) of this Subdivision, and will not be included in the Accumulated Dividend Amount, and the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount will not include the present value of the payment of such dividend.
(ii) To exercise the Fundamental Change Conversion right, Holders must submit their shares of Series A Preferred Stock for conversion at any time during the period (the “Fundamental Change Conversion Period”) beginning on the effective date of such fundamental change (the “Effective Date”) and ending at the close of business on the date that is 20 calendar days after the Effective Date (or, if earlier, the Mandatory Conversion Date) at the conversion rate per share of Series A Preferred Stock specified in the table below (the “Fundamental Change Conversion Rate”). Holders who do not submit their shares of Series A Preferred Stock for conversion during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period will not be entitled to convert their shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate or to receive the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount or the Accumulated Dividend Amount (or an increase in the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in respect of all or part of such amounts, as the case may be).
(iii) The Corporation shall notify Holders of the anticipated Effective Date of a Fundamental Change at least 20 calendar days prior to such anticipated Effective Date or, if such prior notice is not practicable, notify Holders of the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change no later than such Effective Date. Such notice shall state:
(A) the event causing the Fundamental Change;
(B) the anticipated Effective Date or actual Effective Date, as the case may be;
(C) that Holders shall have the right to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period;
(D) the Fundamental Change Conversion Period; and
(E) the instructions a Holder must follow to effect a Fundamental Change Conversion in connection with such Fundamental Change.
If the Corporation notifies Holders of a Fundamental Change later than the 20th calendar day prior to the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change, the Fundamental Change Conversion Period will be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days from, and including, the 20th calendar day prior to the Effective Date of the Fundamental Change to, but excluding, the date of the notice; provided that the Fundamental Change Conversion Period shall not be extended beyond the Mandatory Conversion Date.
(iv) Not later than the second Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change, the Corporation shall notify Holders of (x) the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; (y) the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and whether the Corporation will increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in lieu of paying such amount, or any portion thereof, by a number of Common Shares and, if applicable, the portion of such amount the Corporation will satisfy by increasing the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate; and (z) the Accumulated Dividend Amount and whether the Corporation will increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in lieu of paying such amount, or any portion thereof, by a number of Common Shares and, if applicable, the portion of such amount the Corporation will satisfy by so increasing the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate.
(v) The Fundamental Change Conversion Rate will be determined by reference to the table below based on the Effective Date of the transaction and the price (the “Stock Price”) paid (or deemed paid) per Common Share in such transaction. If all holders of the Common Shares receive only cash in the Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise the Stock Price shall be the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(vi) The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table below (i.e., the column headers) shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Fixed Conversion Rates are adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices will equal the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Minimum Conversion Rate as so adjusted. Each of the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates in the table will be subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as each Fixed Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 9 of this Subdivision.
(vii) The following table sets forth the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate per share of Series A Preferred Stock for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock Price on Effective Date |
Effective Date | $15.00 | $20.00 | $25.00 | $29.00 | $32.00 | $35.53 | $40.00 | $45.00 | $50.00 | $55.00 | $60.00 | $65.00 | $70.00 | $80.00 | $90.00 |
February 21, 2013 | 28.5480 | 28.7280 | 28.5040 | 28.2760 | 28.1200 | 27.9680 | 27.8280 | 27.7280 | 27.6760 | 27.6600 | 27.6640 | 27.6840 | 27.7120 | 27.7800 | 27.8480 |
February 1, 2014 | 30.5640 | 30.4040 | 29.8080 | 29.3000 | 28.9600 | 28.6320 | 28.3160 | 28.0880 | 27.9480 | 27.8760 | 27.8440 | 27.8400 | 27.8480 | 27.8880 | 27.9360 |
February 1, 2015 | 32.6680 | 32.4240 | 31.4840 | 30.5560 | 29.9120 | 29.2840 | 28.7080 | 28.3160 | 28.1080 | 28.0080 | 27.9720 | 27.9640 | 27.9720 | 28.0000 | 28.0320 |
February 1, 2016 | 34.4840 | 34.4840 | 34.4840 | 34.4840 | 31.2520 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 | 28.1480 |
The exact Stock Price and Effective Dates may not be set forth in the table, in which case:
(x) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices on the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates on the table, the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be determined by straight-line interpolation between the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year;
(y) if the Stock Price is in excess of $90.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as the Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table above, as set forth in clause (vi) above), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Minimum Conversion Rate; and
(z) if the Stock Price is less than $15.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner and at the same time as the Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table above, as set forth in clause (vi) above), then the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be the Maximum Conversion Rate.
(viii) For any shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are converted during the Fundamental Change Conversion Period, subject to the limitations described in clause (ix) below, the Corporation may pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend Amount, determined in its sole discretion, (x) in cash, (y) by increasing the Fundamental Change
Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares (calculated as described in clause (ix) below) or (z) through any combination of cash and an increase to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares (calculated as described in clause (ix) below).
(ix) The Corporation shall pay the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend Amount in cash, except to the extent it elects on or prior to the second Business Day following the Effective Date of a Fundamental Change to increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares in lieu of making all or any portion of such payments in cash. If the Corporation elects to increase the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate by a number of Common Shares in respect of any such payment, or any portion thereof, the number of Common Shares by which the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be valued for such purpose at 97% of the Stock Price. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the additional number of Common Shares added to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate in connection with the Fundamental Change Dividend Make-Whole Amount and the Accumulated Dividend Amount, in the aggregate, exceed a number equal to the sum of such amounts (the “Additional Fundamental Change Amount”), divided by the greater of the Floor Price and 97% of the Stock Price. To the extent that the Additional Fundamental Change amount exceeds the product of the number of Common Shares by which the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate is increased in respect of such Additional Fundamental Change Amount and 97% of the Stock Price, the Corporation shall, if it is legally able to do so, notwithstanding any notice by the Corporation to the contrary, pay such excess amount in cash.
(e) Conversion Procedures upon Early Conversion. (i) If a Holder elects to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date in accordance with Section 8(c) or Section 8(d) of this Subdivision, such Holder must observe the conversion procedures set forth in this Section 8(e) of this Subdivision.
(ii) To convert a Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such Holder must surrender to the Corporation, at the principal office of the Corporation or at the office of the Transfer Agent as may be designated by the Board of Directors, the certificate or certificates for such shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be converted accompanied by a complete and manually signed Notice of Conversion (as set forth in the form of Series A Preferred Stock certificate attached hereto) (a “Notice of Conversion”) along with appropriate endorsements and transfer documents as required by the Registrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. The “Conversion Date” shall be the earlier of (x) the date on which the converting Holder has satisfied the foregoing requirements and (y) the Mandatory Conversion Date. A Holder who converts its shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to the issuance or delivery of Common Shares if such Holder exercises its conversion rights, except that such Holder shall be required to pay any tax or duty that may be payable relating to any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Shares in a name other than the name of such Holder. Such Common Shares shall be issued and delivered only after all applicable taxes and duties, if any, payable by the converting Holder have been paid in full and shall be issued on the later of the third Business Day immediately succeeding the Conversion Date and the Business Day after such Holder has paid in full all applicable taxes and duties, if any.
(iii) The person or persons entitled to receive the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated as the record holder(s) of such shares as of the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date. Prior to the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date, the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose and a Holder of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no rights with respect to such Common Shares, including voting rights, rights to respond to tender offers and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on such Common Shares, by virtue of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, other than the rights set forth in Section 5 of Division A.
(iv) In the event that an Early Conversion or Fundamental Change Conversion is effected with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Early Conversion or Fundamental Change Conversion, as the case may be, the Corporation shall execute and instruct the Registrar and Transfer Agent to countersign and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Corporation, a certificate evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock as to which Early Conversion or Fundamental Change Conversion, as the case may be, was not effected.
(v) In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which Common Shares to be issued upon conversion of such Series A Preferred Stock should be registered or, if applicable, the address to which the certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares should be sent, the Corporation shall be entitled to register such Common Shares, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder as shown on the records of the Corporation and, if applicable, to send the certificate or certificates representing such Common Shares to the address of such Holder shown on the records of the Corporation.
(vi) Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to be Outstanding on the applicable Conversion Date, subject to the right of Holders of such shares to receive Common Shares issuable upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock and other amounts and Common Shares, if any, to which they are entitled pursuant to this Section 8 of this Subdivision and, if the applicable Conversion Date occurs after the Record Date for a declared dividend and prior to the immediately succeeding Dividend Payment Date, subject to the right of the Holders of such shares on such Record Date to receive payment of such declared dividend on such Dividend Payment Date pursuant to Section 4(a) of this Subdivision.
(f) Fractional Shares. No fractional Common Shares shall be issued to Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock upon conversion. In lieu of any fractional Common Shares otherwise issuable in respect of the aggregate number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of any Holder that are converted, that Holder will be entitled to receive an amount in cash (computed to the nearest cent) equal to the product of: (i) that same fraction; and (ii) the Average VWAP per Common share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the second Trading Day immediately preceding the Conversion Date. If more than one share of the Series A Preferred Stock is surrendered for, or subject to, conversion at one time by or for the same Holder, the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock so surrendered for, or subject to, conversion.
(g) Reservation of Shares; Shares to Be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental Requirements; Listing of Common Shares. The Corporation covenants and agrees that:
(i) it shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, solely for issuance upon conversion of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock a number of its authorized but unissued Common Shares or treasury shares equal to the maximum number of Common Shares deliverable by the Corporation upon conversion of all Outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) prior to the delivery of any securities that the Corporation shall be obligated to deliver upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, it shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations that require action to be taken by the Corporation (including, without limitation, the registration or approval, if required, of any Common Shares to be provided for the purpose of conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock hereunder); and
(iii) all Common Shares issued and delivered upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall, upon such issuance and delivery, be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable, free of all liens and charges and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(h) To the extent a shelf registration statement is required in the reasonable judgment of the Corporation in connection with the issuance of or for resales of the Common Shares issued in connection with any increases to the Conversion Rate as described in Section 8(b) or Section 8(c) of this Subdivision or to the Fundamental Change Conversion Rate as described in Section 8(d) of this Subdivision, the Corporation shall, to the extent such a registration statement is not currently filed and effective, use its reasonable best efforts to file and maintain the effectiveness of such a shelf registration statement until the earlier of such time as all such Common Shares have been resold thereunder and such time as all such Common Shares are freely tradable without registration. To the extent applicable, the Corporation shall also use its reasonable best efforts to have the Common Shares qualified or registered under applicable state securities laws, if required, and approved for listing on The New York Stock Exchange (or if the Common Shares are not listed on The New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed).
Section 9. Adjustments to the Conversion Rate. Each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted by the Corporation if:
(a) Share Dividends and Distributions. The Corporation issues Common Shares to all or substantially all holders of the Common Shares as a dividend or other distribution, in which event, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution shall be divided by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the total number of Common Shares constituting such dividend or other distribution.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. If any dividend or distribution described in this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision is declared but not so paid or made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not to make such dividend or distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared. For the purposes of this Section 9(a) of this Subdivision, the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination shall not include shares held in treasury but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of Common Shares. The Corporation shall not pay any dividend or make any distribution on Common Shares held in treasury.
(b) Issuance of Share Purchase Rights. The Corporation issues to all or substantially all holders of the Common Shares rights or warrants (other than rights or warrants issued pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan or share purchase plan or other similar plans) entitling them, for a period of up to 45 calendar days from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at less than the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such rights or warrants shall be increased by multiplying such Fixed Conversion Rate by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to such rights or warrants, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of Common Shares outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination and the number of
Common Shares equal to the quotient of the aggregate offering price payable to exercise such rights or warrants, divided by the Current Market Price of the Common Shares.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for such determination. In the event that such rights or warrants described in this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision are not so issued, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not to issue such rights or warrants, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or Common Shares are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights or warrants upon the exercise of such rights or warrants, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased to such fixed conversion rate that would then be in effect had the increase made upon the issuance of such rights or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of Common Shares actually delivered. In determining whether any rights or warrants entitle the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares at less than the Current Market Price, and in determining the aggregate offering price payable for such Common Shares, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights or warrants and the value of such consideration (if other than cash) to be determined by the Board of Directors. For the purposes of this Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, the number of Common Shares at the time outstanding shall not include shares held in treasury but shall include any shares issuable in respect of any scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of Common Shares. The Corporation shall not issue any such rights or warrants in respect of Common Shares held in treasury.
(c) Subdivisions and Combinations of the Common Shares. The Corporation subdivides or combines the Common Shares, in which event each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the effective date of such subdivision or combination shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common Shares that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, such subdivision or combination, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to such subdivision or combination.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9(c) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the effective date of such subdivision or combination.
(d) Security or Asset Distribution. The Corporation distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Shares evidences of its indebtedness, shares of its Capital Stock, securities, rights to acquire its Capital Stock, cash or other assets (excluding any dividend or distribution covered by Section 9(a) of this Subdivision, any rights or warrants covered by Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, any dividend or distribution covered by Section 9(e) of this Subdivision and any Spin-Off to which the provisions set forth in this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision shall apply) (any of the foregoing, the “Distributed Property”), in which event each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares minus the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on such date fixed for determination, of the portion of the Distributed Property so distributed applicable to one Common Share.
In the event that the Corporation makes a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares consisting of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interests in, or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the
Corporation (herein referred to as a “Spin-Off”), each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the Current Market Price of the Common Shares and the Fair Market Value, as determined by the Board of Directors, of the portion of those shares of Capital Stock or similar equity interests so distributed applicable to one Common Share as of the fifteenth Trading Day after the effective date for such distribution (or, if such shares of Capital Stock or equity interests are listed on a national or regional securities exchange, the Current Market Price of such securities), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that such distribution described in this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared. If an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate is required under Section 9(d) of this Subdivision during the Final Averaging Period in respect of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are subject to Mandatory Conversion, delivery of the Common Shares issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision.
For purposes of this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision (and subject in all respects to Section 9(b) of this Subdivision), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Corporation to all or substantially all holders of Common Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Corporation’s Capital Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”): (i) are deemed to be transferred with such Common Shares; (ii) are not exercisable; and (iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Shares, shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision (and no adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision. If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the Initial Issue Date, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and date fixed for the determination of holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive the relevant distribution with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event of the type described in the preceding sentence with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate under this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision was made, (1) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Shares with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase, and (2) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of this Section 9(d) and Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this Subdivision, any dividend or distribution to which this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision is applicable that also includes Common Shares, or rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Shares (or both), shall be deemed instead to be (1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets or shares of capital stock other than such Common Shares or rights, options or warrants (and any Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 9(d) of this Subdivision with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made) immediately followed by (2) a dividend or distribution of such Common Shares or such rights, options or warrants (and any further Fixed Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this Subdivision with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be made), except (A) the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such dividend or distribution shall be substituted as “the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution”, “the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such rights or warrants” and “the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of Section 9(a) and Section 9(b) of this Subdivision and (B) any Common Shares included in such dividend or distribution shall not be deemed “outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination” within the meaning of Section 9(a) of this Subdivision.
(e) Cash Distributions. The Corporation makes a distribution consisting exclusively of cash to all or substantially all holders of the Common Shares other than a regular, quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.15 per Common Share (the “Initial Dividend Threshold”) (excluding any cash that is distributed in a Reorganization Event, any dividend or distribution in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation and any consideration payable as part of a tender or exchange offer covered by Section 9(f) of this Subdivision), in which event, each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution shall be multiplied by a fraction,
(i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares minus the Initial Dividend Threshold (provided that if the relevant distribution is not a regular quarterly cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be deemed to be zero), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be the Current Market Price of the Common Shares minus the amount per Common Share of such distribution.
The Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment in a manner inversely proportional to adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates; provided that no adjustment shall be made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision.
Any increase made pursuant to this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive such distribution. In the event that any distribution described in this Section 9(e) of this Subdivision is not so made, each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Board of Directors publicly announces its decision not to make such distribution, to such Fixed Conversion Rate which would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.
(f) Self-Tender Offers and Exchange Offers. The Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries successfully completes a tender or exchange offer pursuant to a Schedule TO or registration statement on Form S-4 for the Common Shares (excluding any securities convertible or exchangeable for the Common Shares), where the cash and the value of any other consideration included in the payment per Common Share exceeds the Current Market Price of the Common Shares, in which event each Fixed Conversion Rate in effect at the close of business on the date of expiration of the tender or exchange offer (the “Expiration Date”) shall be multiplied by a fraction:
(i) the numerator of which shall be equal to the sum of (x) the aggregate cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined by the Board of Directors) on the Expiration Date of any other
consideration paid or payable for shares purchased in such tender or exchange offer; and (y) the product of (A) the Current Market Price of the Common Shares and (B) the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately after such tender or exchange offer expires (after giving effect to the purchase or exchange of shares pursuant to such tender or exchange offer), and
(ii) the denominator of which shall be equal to the product of (x) the Current Market Price of the Common Shares and (y) the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the time such tender or exchange offer expires.
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the seventh Trading Day immediately following the Expiration Date. In the event that the Corporation, or one of its Subsidiaries, is obligated to purchase the Common Shares pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Corporation, or such Subsidiary, is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then each Fixed Conversation Rate shall be readjusted to be such Fixed Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, if the application of this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision to any tender offer or exchange offer would result in a decrease in each Fixed Conversation Rate, no adjustment shall be made for such tender offer or exchange offer under this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision. If an adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate is required pursuant to this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision during the Final Averaging Period in respect of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are subject to Mandatory Conversion, delivery of the related conversion consideration will be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 9(f) of this Subdivision.
(g) Except with respect to a Spin-Off, in cases where the Fair Market Value of the Distributed Property (in the case of an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates to be made pursuant to Section 9(d) of this Subdivision) or cash (in the case of an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates to be made pursuant to Section 9(e) of this Subdivision) applicable to one Common Share distributed to shareholders equals or exceeds the Average VWAP per Common Share over the five consecutive Trading Day period ending on the Trading Day before the ex-date for such distribution, rather than being entitled to an adjustment in each Fixed Conversion Rate, Holders shall be entitled to receive upon conversion, in addition to a number of Common Shares otherwise deliverable on the applicable Conversion Date, the kind and amount of the Distributed Property comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder had owned, immediately prior to the date fixed for determining the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive the distribution, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, a number of Common Shares equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate in effect on the date of such distribution.
(h) Rights Plans. To the extent that the Corporation has a rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Shares on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, a converting Holder shall receive, in addition to Common Shares, the rights under the rights plan, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have separated from the Common Shares, in which case each Fixed Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Corporation made a distribution to all holders of the Common Shares as described in Section 9(d) of this Subdivision, subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights. Any distribution of rights or warrants pursuant to a rights plan that would allow a Holder to receive upon conversion, in addition to any Common Shares, the rights described therein (unless such rights or warrants have separated from the Common Shares) shall not constitute a distribution of rights or warrants that would entitle such Holder to an adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates.
(i) Adjustment for Tax Reasons. The Corporation may make such increases in the Fixed Conversion Rates, in addition to those required by this Section 9 of this Subdivision, as the Corporation deems advisable in order to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Shares resulting from any dividend or distribution of Common Shares (or issuance of rights or warrants to acquire Common Shares) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes or for any other reason. The Corporation
may only make such a discretionary adjustment if it makes the same proportionate adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation from time to time may also increase the Fixed Conversion Rates by any amount if the Board of Directors shall have made a determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Corporation, which determination shall be conclusive. Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates are increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall mail to Holders and file with the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent a notice of the increase, and such notice shall state each increased Fixed Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect. The Corporation may only make such a discretionary adjustment if it makes the same proportionate adjustment to each Fixed Conversion Rate.
(j) Calculation of Adjustments. Adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates under this Section 9 of this Subdivision shall be calculated to the nearest 1/10,000th of a share. Prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, no adjustment in a Fixed Conversion Rate shall be required unless the adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent in such Fixed Conversion Rate. If any adjustment is not required to be made because it would not change the Fixed Conversion Rates by at least one percent, then the adjustment shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided, however, that with respect to adjustments to be made to the Fixed Conversion Rates pursuant to this Section 9 of this Subdivision, the Corporation shall make such adjustments, regardless of whether such aggregate adjustments amount to one percent or more of the Fixed Conversion Rates, no later than February 1 of each calendar year; provided further that on the earlier of any Mandatory Conversion, any Early Conversion Date and any Effective Date of a Fundamental Change, adjustments to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made with respect to any such adjustment carried forward that has not been taken into account before such date.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment increasing a Fixed Conversion Rate to an amount that would cause the relevant Conversion Price to be reduced below the then par value, if any, of the Common Shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take all corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue such Common Shares at such adjusted Fixed Conversion Rate.
(k) The Fixed Conversion Rates will not be adjusted:
(i) upon the issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Corporation and the investment of additional optional amounts in Common Shares under any plan;
(ii) upon the issuance of Common Shares or rights or warrants to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation;
(iii) upon the issuance of any Common Shares pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security outstanding as of the Initial Issue Date;
(iv) for a change solely in the par value of the Common Shares; or
(v) for accumulated and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock, except as set forth in Section 8(b), Section 8(c) and Section 8(d) of this Subdivision.
To the extent the Series A Preferred Stock becomes convertible into cash, assets, property or securities (other than Capital Stock of the Corporation or any other Person), no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the cash, assets, property or securities. Interest will not accrue on any cash into which the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible.
(l) No adjustment to the Fixed Conversion Rates shall be made if Holders may participate, at the same time, upon the same terms and otherwise on the same basis as holders of the Common Shares and solely as a result of holding the Series A Preferred Stock, in the transaction that would otherwise give rise to such adjustment as if they held, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, a number of Common Shares equal to the Maximum Conversion Rate then in effect.
(m) Whenever the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates are to be adjusted as herein provided, the Corporation shall, as soon as practicable, file with the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates after such adjustment and setting forth, in reasonable detail, a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until an officer of the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and may assume that the last the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates, as the case may be, of which it has knowledge are still in effect. As soon as practicable after delivery of such certificate, the Corporation shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates setting forth the adjusted the Fixed Conversion Rates and Fundamental Change Conversion Rates and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall promptly mail such notice of such adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Rates and the Fundamental Change Conversion Rates to the Holders at their address in the register. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
(n) If an adjustment is made to the Fixed Conversion Rates, (1) an inversely proportional adjustment also will be made to the Threshold Appreciation Price and the Initial Price solely for the purposes of determining which clause of the definition of “Conversion Rate” will apply on the Mandatory Conversion Date and (2) an inversely proportional adjustment also will be made to the Floor Price. Whenever any provision of this Subdivision requires the Corporation or the Board of Directors to calculate the VWAP per Common Share over a span of multiple days, the Board of Directors shall make appropriate adjustments (including, without limitation, to the Applicable Market Value, the Early Conversion Average Price, the Stock Price and the Five-Day Average Price (as the case may be)) to account for any adjustments to the Initial Price, the Threshold Appreciation Price and the Fixed Conversion Rates (as the case may be) that become effective, or any event that would require such an adjustment if the ex-date, effective date or Expiration Date (as the case may be) of such event occurs, during the relevant period used to calculate such prices or values (as the case may be).
(o) If:
(i) the date fixed for determination of the holders of the Common Shares entitled to receive a dividend or distribution on the Common Shares occurs after the end of the Final Averaging Period and before the Mandatory Conversion Date, and
(ii) that dividend or distribution would have resulted in an adjustment of the number of Common Shares issuable to Holders had such date fixed for such determination occurred on or before the last Trading Day of the Final Averaging Period,
then the Corporation shall deem the Holders to be holders of record, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock that they hold, of a number of Common Shares equal to the Conversion Rate for purposes of that dividend or distribution. In such case, the Holders would receive the dividend or distribution on the Common Shares together with the number of Common Shares issuable upon Mandatory Conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 10. Reclassifications, Reclassifications and Changes in the Common Shares. (B) In the event of:
(i) any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another Person (other than a merger or consolidation in which the Corporation is the continuing corporation and in which the Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the merger or consolidation are not exchanged for cash, securities or other property of the Corporation or another Person);
(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation;
(iii) any reclassification of the Common Shares into securities, including securities other than the Common Shares; or
(iv) any statutory exchange of the securities of the Corporation with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition),
in each case, as a result of which the Common Shares would be converted into, or exchanged for, securities, cash or property (each, a “Reorganization Event”), each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event shall, without the consent of the Holders, become convertible into the kind of securities, cash and other property that such Holder would have been entitled to receive if such Holder had converted its Series A Preferred Stock into Common Shares immediately prior to such Reorganization Event (such securities, cash and other property, the “Exchange Property,” with each “unit of Exchange Property” meaning the kind and amount of Exchange Property that a holder of one Common Share is entitled to receive). For purposes of the foregoing, the type and amount of Exchange Property in the case of any Reorganization Event that causes the Common Shares to be converted into the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of shareholder election) shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of the Common Shares that affirmatively make such an election (or of all holders of the Common Shares if none makes an election). The Corporation shall notify Holders of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination is made. The number of units of Exchange Property for each share of Series A Preferred Stock converted following the effective date of such Reorganization Event shall be determined as if references to the Common Shares in the definition of “Conversion Rate” applicable upon Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 8(b) of this Subdivision, conversion at the option of the holder pursuant to Section 8(c) of this Subdivision and conversion at the option of the holder upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 8(d) of this Subdivision were to units of Exchange Property (without interest thereon and without any right to dividends or distributions thereon which have a record date prior to the date such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are actually converted). For the purpose of determining which clause of the definition of “Conversion Rate” shall apply upon Mandatory Conversion, and for the purpose of calculating the Conversion Rate if clause (b) of the definition thereof is applicable, the value of a unit of Exchange Property shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, except that if a unit of Exchange Property includes common stock or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) that are traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, the value of such common stock or ADRs shall be the average over the Final Averaging Period of the volume-weighted average prices for such common stock or ADRs, as displayed on the applicable Bloomberg screen (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors); or, if such price is not available, the average market value per share of such common stock or ADRs over such period as determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained by the Corporation for this purpose. The Corporation (or any successor to the Corporation) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (but in any event within 20 calendar days) after the occurrence of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence and of the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property that constitute the Exchange Property. Failure to deliver such notice will not affect the operation of the provisions described in this Section 10 of this Subdivision.
(b) In connection with any Reorganization Event, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be subject to adjustment as described in clause (i), clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, as the case may be.
(i) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of shares of common stock (the “Reorganization Common Stock”), the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event will be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event, divided by (y) the number of shares of Reorganization Common Stock that a holder of one Common Share would receive in such Reorganization Event (such quotient rounded down to the nearest cent).
(ii) In the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed in part of shares of Reorganization Common Stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event will be equal to (x) the Initial Dividend Threshold immediately prior to the effective time of such Reorganization Event, multiplied by (y) the Reorganization Valuation Percentage for such Reorganization Event (such product rounded down to the nearest cent).
(iii) For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Reorganization Event in which the Exchange Property (determined, as appropriate, pursuant to subsection (a) above and excluding any dissenters’ appraisal rights) is composed entirely of consideration other than shares of common stock, the Initial Dividend Threshold at and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event will be equal to zero.
Section 11. Transfer Agent and Registrar. The duly appointed Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the Transfer Agent; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.
Section 12. Currency. All shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be denominated in U.S. currency, and all payments and distributions thereon or with respect thereto shall be made in U.S. currency. All references herein to “$”or “dollars” refer to U.S. currency.
Section 13. Form. (a) The Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued in the form of one or more definitive shares in fully registered form in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (each, a “Certificated Series A Preferred Stock”), which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate. Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall reflect the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented thereby, and may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules, agreements to which the Corporation is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Corporation). Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be registered in the name or names of the Person or Persons specified by the Depositary in a written instrument to the Registrar.
(b) The Chairman of the Board of Directors or the President or a Vice President and the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation shall sign each share of Certificated Series A Preferred Stock for the Corporation, in accordance with the Corporation’s code of regulations and applicable law, including Section 1701.24 of the Ohio Revised Code, by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Certificated Series A Preferred Stock no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent countersigned the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock, the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be valid nevertheless. The Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent manually countersigns such Certificated Series A Preferred Stock. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Certificated Series A Preferred Stock has been authenticated under this Subdivision. Each Certificated Series A Preferred Stock shall be dated the date of its countersignature.
Section 14. Replacement Certificates. The Corporation shall replace any mutilated certificate at the Holder’s expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Corporation. The Corporation shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the Holder’s expense upon delivery to the Corporation of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Corporation; provided that the Corporation shall not be required to issue any additional certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock on or after the Mandatory Conversion Date. In place of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the Mandatory Conversion Date, the Transfer Agent, upon delivery of the evidence and indemnity described in the immediately preceding sentence, shall deliver the consideration due upon Mandatory Conversion pursuant to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the certificate.
Section 15. Paying Agent and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent. (a) The Corporation shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York (i) an office or agency where Series A Preferred Stock may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”) and (ii) an office or agency where Series A Preferred Stock may be presented for conversion (the “Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent”). The Transfer Agent shall act as Paying Agent and Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent, unless another Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent is appointed by the Corporation. The Corporation may appoint the Registrar, the Paying Agent and the Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents and one or more additional conversion and dividend disbursing agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent and the term “Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent” includes any additional conversion and dividend disbursing agent. The Corporation may change any Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent without prior notice to any holder. The Corporation shall notify the Registrar of the name and address of any Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent appointed by the Corporation. If the Corporation fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent, the Registrar shall act as such. The Corporation or any of its Affiliates may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, coregistrar or Conversion and Dividend Disbursing Agent.
(b) Payments due on the Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable at the office or agency of the Corporation maintained for such purpose in The City of New York and at any other office or agency maintained by the Corporation for such purpose. Payments shall be payable by United States dollar check drawn on, or wire transfer (provided that appropriate wire instructions have been received by the Registrar at least 15 days prior to the applicable date of payment) to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the holder with, a bank located in New York City; provided that at the option of the Corporation, payment of dividends may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Series A Preferred Stock register.
Section 16. Notices. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Subdivision is required or permitted to be given or served by the Transfer Agent or by the Holders on the Corporation shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is filed by the Corporation with the Transfer Agent) to Cliffs Natural Resources Inc., 200 Public Square, Suite 3300, Cleveland, OH 44114, Attention: General Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Transfer Agent shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Attn: Relationship Management, 110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120-4101.
The Transfer Agent, by notice to the Corporation, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the stock register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Transfer Agent shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Section 17. Transfer Taxes. The Corporation shall pay any and all stock transfer and documentary stamp taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock or Common Shares or other securities issued on account of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (including upon conversion) pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of Common Shares or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock with respect to which such Common Shares or other securities are issued or delivered were registered, and shall not be required to make any such issuance or delivery unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance or delivery has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.
Section 18. Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Subdivision are for convenience of reference only and shall not define, limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF 7.00% SERIES A MANDATORY CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCK, CLASS A
Number: ___ ____________ Shares
CUSIP NO.: 18683K 507
7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A
(without par value per share)
(liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share)
OF
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
FACE OF SECURITY
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC., an Ohio corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies that [_____] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of [_____] fully paid and non-assessable shares of preferred stock of the Corporation designated the 7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A, without par value per share and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Registrar, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Second Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, dated May 25, 2011, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms (the “Articles”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the respective meanings given them in the Articles. The Corporation will provide a copy of the Articles to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal place of business.
Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof, and to the Articles, which select provisions and the Articles shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Articles and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.
Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Articles or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. has executed this certificate as of the date set forth below.
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CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC. |
By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
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By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
Dated: _______________
TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock referred to in the within mentioned Articles.
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Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Transfer Agent
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By: | |
| Name: | |
| Title: | Authorized Signatory |
Dated: ____________________
REVERSE OF SECURITY
CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES INC.
7.00% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Class A
Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be payable in cash at a rate per annum set forth on the face hereof or as provided in the Articles.
The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable by the Corporation. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Corporation’s Common Shares in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Articles.
The Corporation shall furnish to any Holder without charge a copy of the express terms of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by this certificate and of the other classes and series of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue within five days of receipt of written request thereof.
ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)
________________________________________________________________
(Insert address and zip code of assignee)
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
and irrevocably appoints:
________________________________________________________________
agent to transfer the shares of Series A Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent and Registrar. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.
Date: __________________
Signature: ______________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Series A Preferred Stock Certificate)
Signature Guarantee: _____________________ 1
____________________________
1 Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” (i.e., a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union) meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.