INDENTURE Dated as of November 26, 2024 Between ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED as Company and CITIBANK, N.A. as Trustee
DEBT SECURITIES |
Exhibit 2.26
INDENTURE Dated as of November 26, 2024 Between ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED as Company and CITIBANK, N.A. as Trustee
DEBT SECURITIES |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Article I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 |
|
Definitions |
1 |
Section 1.02 |
|
Rules of Construction |
12 |
Article II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 |
|
Form Generally |
13 |
Section 2.02 |
|
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication |
13 |
Section 2.03 |
|
Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent |
14 |
Article III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01 |
|
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series |
14 |
Section 3.02 |
|
Denominations |
17 |
Section 3.03 |
|
Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating |
17 |
Section 3.04 |
|
[Reserved] |
20 |
Section 3.05 |
|
Registrar |
20 |
Section 3.06 |
|
Transfer and Exchange |
21 |
Section 3.07 |
|
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. |
30 |
Section 3.08 |
|
Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved |
31 |
Section 3.09 |
|
Cancellation |
32 |
Section 3.10 |
|
Computation of Interest |
33 |
Section 3.11 |
|
Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities |
33 |
Section 3.12 |
|
CUSIP Numbers |
34 |
Article IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01 |
|
Applicability of Right of Redemption |
34 |
Section 4.02 |
|
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed |
34 |
Section 4.03 |
|
Notice of Redemption |
35 |
Section 4.04 |
|
Deposit of Redemption Price |
36 |
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Section 4.05 |
|
Securities Payable on Redemption Date |
36 |
Section 4.06 |
|
Securities Redeemed in Part |
36 |
Section 4.07 |
|
Tax Redemption |
37 |
Section 4.08 |
|
Open Market Purchase. |
38 |
Article V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 5.01 |
|
Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest |
38 |
Section 5.02 |
|
Maintenance of Office or Agency; Paying Agent |
38 |
Section 5.03 |
|
To Hold Payment in Trust |
39 |
Section 5.04 |
|
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets |
41 |
Section 5.05 |
|
Limitations on Liens |
42 |
Section 5.06 |
|
Repurchase Upon Triggering Event |
43 |
Section 5.07 |
|
Additional Amounts |
46 |
Section 5.08 |
|
Payment for Consent |
48 |
Section 5.09 |
|
[Reserved] |
48 |
Section 5.10 |
|
Compliance Certificate |
48 |
Section 5.11 |
|
Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities |
49 |
Section 5.12 |
|
Statement by Officers as to Default |
49 |
Section 5.13 |
|
Rule 144A Information |
49 |
Article VI
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 6.01 |
|
Events of Default |
49 |
Section 6.02 |
|
Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment |
51 |
Section 6.03 |
|
Other Remedies |
52 |
Section 6.04 |
|
Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact |
53 |
Section 6.05 |
|
Priorities |
53 |
Section 6.06 |
|
Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults |
54 |
Section 6.07 |
|
Limitation on Suits |
55 |
Section 6.08 |
|
Undertaking for Costs |
56 |
Section 6.09 |
|
Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver |
56 |
Article VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01 |
|
Evidence of Action of Securityholders |
57 |
Section 7.02 |
|
Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities |
57 |
Section 7.03 |
|
Persons Deemed Owners |
58 |
Section 7.04 |
|
Effect of Consents |
58 |
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Article VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 8.01 |
|
Purposes of Meetings |
58 |
Section 8.02 |
|
Call of Meetings by Trustee |
59 |
Section 8.03 |
|
Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders |
59 |
Section 8.04 |
|
Qualifications for Voting |
59 |
Section 8.05 |
|
Regulation of Meetings |
59 |
Section 8.06 |
|
Voting |
60 |
Section 8.07 |
|
No Delay of Rights by Meeting |
60 |
Article IX
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
Section 9.01 |
|
Reports by Trustee |
61 |
Section 9.02 |
|
Reports by the Company |
61 |
Section 9.03 |
|
Securityholders’ Lists |
62 |
Article X
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 10.01 |
|
Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity |
62 |
Section 10.02 |
|
Duties of Trustee |
66 |
Section 10.03 |
|
Notice of Defaults |
67 |
Section 10.04 |
|
Eligibility; Disqualification |
68 |
Section 10.05 |
|
Resignation and Notice; Removal |
68 |
Section 10.06 |
|
Successor Trustee by Appointment |
69 |
Section 10.07 |
|
Successor Trustee by Merger |
71 |
Section 10.08 |
|
Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate |
71 |
Section 10.09 |
|
Appointment of Authenticating Agent |
71 |
Section 10.10 |
|
Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders |
72 |
Article XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 11.01 |
|
Applicability of Article |
72 |
Section 11.02 |
|
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
73 |
Section 11.03 |
|
Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations |
74 |
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Section 11.04 |
|
Repayment to Company |
76 |
Section 11.05 |
|
Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations |
76 |
Section 11.06 |
|
Deposits to Be Held in Escrow |
76 |
Section 11.07 |
|
Application of Trust Money |
77 |
Section 11.08 |
|
Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies |
77 |
Article XII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 12.01 |
|
No Personal Liability |
77 |
Article XIII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 13.01 |
|
Without Consent of Securityholders |
78 |
Section 13.02 |
|
With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations |
79 |
Section 13.03 |
|
Trustee Protected |
81 |
Section 13.04 |
|
Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture |
81 |
Section 13.05 |
|
Notation on or Exchange of Securities |
82 |
Section 13.06 |
|
Conformity with TIA |
82 |
Article XIV
[RESERVED.]
Article XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.01 |
|
Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent |
82 |
Section 15.02 |
|
Trust Indenture Act Controls |
83 |
Section 15.03 |
|
Notices to the Company and Trustee |
83 |
Section 15.04 |
|
Notices to Securityholders; Waiver |
84 |
Section 15.05 |
|
Legal Holiday |
85 |
Section 15.06 |
|
Judgment Currency |
85 |
Section 15.07 |
|
Effects of Headings and Table of Contents |
85 |
Section 15.08 |
|
Successors and Assigns |
86 |
Section 15.09 |
|
Severability |
86 |
Section 15.10 |
|
Benefits of Indenture |
86 |
Section 15.11 |
|
Counterparts |
86 |
Section 15.12 |
|
Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury |
86 |
Section 15.13 |
|
Submission to Jurisdiction |
86 |
Section 15.14 |
|
Waiver of Immunity |
87 |
-iv-
Section 15.15 |
|
Force Majeure |
87 |
Section 15.16 |
|
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
87 |
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A |
|
Form of Security |
A-1 |
EXHIBIT B |
|
Form of Certificate of Transfer |
B-1 |
EXHIBIT C |
|
Form of Certificate of Exchange |
C-1 |
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INDENTURE dated as of November 26, 2024, between Alibaba Group Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined below) thereof for the equal and proportionate benefit of all of the present and future Holders of the Securities, each party agrees and covenants as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“Additional Amounts” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, 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 Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Global Security, to the extent applicable to such transaction or exchange and as in effect from time to time.
“Authenticating Agent” has the meaning provided in Section 10.09.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, unless banking institutions or trust companies in the City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed on such day.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Shares and limited liability or partnership interests (whether general or limited), but excluding any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.
“Certificated Security” means a certificated Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto (or such legends as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities) and is registered in the name of the Holder.
“Change in Law” means a change in or amendment to the laws, regulations and rules of the PRC or the official interpretation or official application thereof.
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the recitals, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
“Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.
“Consolidated Affiliated Entity” of any Person means any corporation, association or other entity which is or is required to be consolidated with such Person under Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall (including any changes, amendments or supplements thereto) or, if such Person prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles other than U.S. GAAP, the equivalent of Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall under such accounting principles. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity will refer to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of the Company.
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“Controlled Entity” of any Person means a Subsidiary or a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of such Person.
“Corporate Trust Office,” or other similar term, means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at (i) for note transfer/surrender purposes, 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310 Email: peter1.lopez@citi.com / citi.cspag.debt@citi.com, Attention: Agency & Trust –Alibaba Group Holding Limited, and (b) for all other purposes, 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Email: peter1.lopez@citi.com / citi.cspag.debt@citi.com, Attention: Agency & Trust – Alibaba Group Holding Limited, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust officer of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(c).
“CUSIP” means the identification number provided by the Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures.
“Currency” means U.S. Dollars or Foreign Currency.
“Currency Determination Agent” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(d).
“Default” has the meaning provided in Section 10.03.
“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(b).
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository by the Company pursuant to Section 3.01 until a successor Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depository” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depository hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of that series. The “Depository” shall initially be DTC, its nominees and its successors.
“Designated Currency” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(a).
“Discharged” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(b).
“Distribution Compliance Period” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b)(i)(A).
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York.
“Event of Default” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
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“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Rate” has the meaning provided in Section 3.11(d).
“FATCA” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a)(vii).
“Floating Rate Security” means a Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
“Foreign Currency” means a currency issued by the government of any country other than the United States or a composite currency, the value of which is determined by reference to the values of the currencies of any group of countries.
“Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 3.01 for such Securities).
“Group” means the Company and its Controlled Entities.
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” or “Securityholder” mean the Person in whose name Securities are registered in the Register for the registration and the registration of transfer or of exchange of the Securities.
“Indebtedness” means any and all obligations of a Person for money borrowed which, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, would be reflected on the balance sheet of such Person as a liability on the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined.
“Indenture” means this instrument and all indentures supplemental hereto and any amendments or modifications to the foregoing, in each case, entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established in accordance with Section 3.01.
“Independent Legal Counsel” means an independent legal firm of internationally recognized standing that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Independent Tax Consultant” means an independent accounting firm or consultant of internationally recognized standing that is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Security through a Participant.
“Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“ISIN” means the International Securities Identification Number.
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“Issue Date” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which such Security is originally issued under this Indenture.
“Judgment Currency” has the meaning provided in Section 15.06.
“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning provided in Section 11.03(b).
“Lien” means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other form of encumbrance or security interest.
“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security, or any installment of principal, shall become due and payable as therein and herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration, call for redemption or otherwise.
“Members” has the meaning provided in Section 3.03(h).
“Non-recourse Obligation” means Indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to (1) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by the Company or any of its Controlled Entities or (2) the financing of a project involving the purchase, development, improvement or expansion of properties of the Company or any of its Controlled Entities, as to which the obligee with respect to such Indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any of its Controlled Entities or to the Company’s or any such Controlled Entity’s assets other than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).
“Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of the Company or, in the event that the Company is a partnership or a limited liability company that has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the general partner, managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing reasonably acceptable to the Trustee signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or who may be other counsel, that meets the applicable requirements provided for in Section 15.01. Opinions of Counsel may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that is issued with “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273(a) of the Code and the regulations thereunder and any other Security designated by the Company as issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
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“Outstanding” means, when used with respect to Securities, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Paying Agent or delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation;
(ii) Securities or portions thereof for which payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities or Securities as to which the Company’s obligations have been Discharged; provided, however, that if such Securities or portions thereof are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;
(iii) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.07(b) or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; or
(iv) Securities to which defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 11.03;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Securities of a series Outstanding have performed any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding unless the Company, such Affiliate or such other obligor owns all of such Securities, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such action, only Securities of such series for which the Trustee has received written notice to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes its right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all such Securities, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to the provisions of Section 10.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all such Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of a series have performed any action hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02
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and the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be the amount calculated pursuant to Section 3.11(b).
“Participant” means, with respect to any Depository, a person who is a participant or has an account with such Depository.
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company may act as Paying Agent with respect to Securities of any series issued hereunder.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, undertaking, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, trust, state, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity (in each case whether or not being a separate legal entity).
“Place of Payment” has the meaning provided in Section 3.01(h).
“PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of this definition, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.
“Predecessor Security” means, with respect to any Security, every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security, and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
“Preferred Shares,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
“Principal Controlled Entities” at any time shall mean one of the Controlled Entities of the Company:
(A) its total revenue or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated total revenue attributable to the Group is at least 5% of the consolidated total revenue of the Group;
(B) its net profit or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated net profit attributable to the Group (in each case before taxation and exceptional items) is at least 5% of the consolidated net profit of the Group (before taxation and exceptional items); or
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(C) its net assets or (in the case of one of the Controlled Entities of the Company which has one or more Controlled Entities) consolidated net assets attributable to the Group (in each case after deducting minority interests in Subsidiaries) are at least 10% of the consolidated net assets of the Group (after deducting minority interests in Subsidiaries of the Company);
all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited financial statements (consolidated or, as the case may be, unconsolidated) of the Controlled Entity of the Company and the then latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company; provided that, in relation to clauses (A), (B) and (C) above:
(1) in the case of a corporation or other business entity becoming a Controlled Entity after the end of the financial period to which the latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company relate, the reference to the then latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company and its Controlled Entities for the purposes of the calculation above shall, until the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial period in which the relevant corporation or other business entity becomes a Controlled Entity are issued, be deemed to be a reference to the then latest consolidated audited accounts of the Company and its Controlled Entities adjusted to consolidate the latest audited accounts (consolidated in the case of a Controlled Entity which itself has Controlled Entities) of such Controlled Entity in such accounts;
(2) if at any relevant time in relation to the Company or any Controlled Entity which itself has Controlled Entities, no consolidated accounts are prepared and audited, total revenue, net profit or net assets of the Company and/or any such Controlled Entity shall be determined on the basis of pro forma consolidated accounts prepared for this purpose by or on behalf of the Company;
(3) if at any relevant time in relation to any Controlled Entity, no accounts are audited, its net assets (consolidated, if appropriate) shall be determined on the basis of pro forma accounts (consolidated, if appropriate) of the relevant Controlled Entity prepared for this purpose by or on behalf of the Company; and
(4) if the accounts of any Controlled Entity (not being a Controlled Entity referred to in proviso (1) above) are not consolidated with the accounts of the Company, then the determination of whether or not such Controlled Entity is a Principal Controlled Entity shall be based on a pro forma consolidation of its accounts (consolidated, if appropriate) with the consolidated accounts of the Company (determined on the basis of the foregoing); or
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An Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee certifying in good faith as to whether or not a Controlled Entity is a Principal Controlled Entity shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
“Prospectus” means the offering memorandum, dated November 19, 2024, relating to the offering of Securities.
“Record Date” means, with respect to any interest payable on any Security on any Interest Payment Date, the close of business on such date specified in such Security for the payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, pursuant to Section 3.01.
“Redemption Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture and the terms of such Security.
“Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or in part, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to the terms of the Security and this Indenture.
“Register” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(a).
“Registrar” has the meaning provided in Section 3.05(a).
“Registration Rights Agreement” means a registration rights agreement, if any, applicable to any Securities issued under this Indenture.
“Relevant Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented or evidenced by, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities which for the time being are, or are intended to be or are commonly, quoted, listed or dealt in or traded on any stock exchange or over−the−counter or other securities market, but shall exclude any bank debt, bank loans or securitizations.
“Relevant Jurisdiction” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any managing director, vice-president, trust associate, relationship manager, transaction manager, client service manager, any senior trust officer, any trust officer or any other officer assigned to the agency and trust division (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee, who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by any persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Restricted Certificated Security” means a Certificated Security offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
“Restricted Global Security” means a Global Security offered and sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
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“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as constituted from time to time.
“Security” or “Securities” means any security or securities, as the case may be, duly authenticated by the Trustee and delivered under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security Custodian” means the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depository, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be Citibank, N.A.
“Special Interest” means any additional interest required to be paid pursuant to any applicable Registration Rights Agreement.
“Special Record Date” has the meaning provided in Section 3.08(b)(i).
“Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal (or any portion thereof) of or premium, if any, on such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (ii) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, is, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), voting at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (A) such Person, (B) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (C) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Successor Jurisdiction” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(d).
“Tax Change” has the meaning provided in Section 4.07(a).
“Taxes” has the meaning provided in Section 5.07(a).
“Tender Agent” has the meaning provided in Section 5.06(b)(ii).
“Transfer Agent” means Citibank, N.A. or its successor as transfer agent under this Indenture.
“Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both of the following events: (A) any Change in Law that results in (x) the Group (as in existence immediately subsequent to such Change in Law), as a whole, being legally prohibited from operating substantially all of the
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business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) as of the last date of the period described in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and (y) the Company being unable to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) in the same manner as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP prior to such Change in Law and (B) the Company has not furnished to the Trustee, prior to the date that is twelve months after the date of the Change in Law, an opinion from an independent financial advisor or an Independent Legal Counsel (each of international standing) stating either that (1) the Company is able to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law), taken as a whole, as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP prior to such Change in Law (including after giving effect to any corporate restructuring or reorganization plan of the Company) or (2) such Change in Law would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make principal, premium (if any) and interest payments on the Securities of any series when due.
“Triggering Event Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
“Triggering Event Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).
“Triggering Event Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a)(ii).
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
“Unrestricted Certificated Security” means a Certificated Security the restrictions on transfer of which have expired or otherwise been removed.
“Unrestricted Global Security” means a Global Security the restrictions on transfer of which have expired or otherwise been removed.
“U.S. Dollars” or “US$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“U.S. GAAP” refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
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“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“United States” shall mean the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
Section 1.02 Rules of Construction. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
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ARTICLE II
FORMS OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Form Generally.
Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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Section 2.03 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication by an Authenticating Agent. If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s certificate of authentication by such Authenticating Agent to be borne by Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities issued referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
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ARTICLE III
THE DEBT SECURITIES
Section 3.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. There shall be set forth in a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
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All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided herein or set forth in a Company Order, Officer’s Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto.
Section 3.02 Denominations. In the absence of any specification pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable only as Securities in denominations of US$200,000 and multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, and shall be payable only in U.S. Dollars.
Section 3.03 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel is delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued; provided that nothing in this clause (c) is intended to derogate Trustee’s rights to receive an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel under Section 15.01.
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UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.
The aggregate principal amount of each Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian, as provided in this Indenture.
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Section 3.04 [Reserved].
Section 3.05 Registrar.
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Section 3.06 Transfer and Exchange.
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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to clause (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to clause (C) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Security cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security.
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the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Security to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 3.06(c) hereof, and the Company shall execute and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Certificated Security in the appropriate principal amount. Any Certificated Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.06(b)(ii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depository and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Certificated Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. Any Certificated Security issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security pursuant to this Section 3.06(b)(ii) shall bear the appropriate legends and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Company so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the appropriate legends are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
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the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Certificated Security, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (i) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Security, in the case of clause (ii) above, the Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and in the case of clause (iii) above, the Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.
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Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 3.06(b)(iii)(B), the Trustee will cancel the Certificated Security and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Security.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Certificated Security to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (c) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Security has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Certificated Securities so transferred.
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Section 3.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
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Section 3.08 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
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Section 3.09 Cancellation. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or otherwise shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Paying Agent, be delivered to the Paying Agent for cancellation and shall be promptly cancelled by it and, if surrendered to the Paying Agent, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Paying Agent for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Paying Agent for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued or sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Paying Agent. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Paying Agent shall dispose of all cancelled Securities held by it in accordance with its then customary procedures, unless otherwise directed by a Company Order, and deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company upon its request therefor. The acquisition of any Securities by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented thereby unless and until such Securities are surrendered to the Paying Agent for cancellation.
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Section 3.10 Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11 Currency of Payments in Respect of Securities.
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Section 3.12 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing any Securities may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and thereafter with respect to such series, the Trustee may use such numbers in any notice of redemption or exchange, as a convenience to Holders, with respect to such series; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and the Agents in writing of any change in the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers.
Article IV
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 4.01 Applicability of Right of Redemption. Redemption of Securities permitted by the terms of any series of Securities shall be made (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article IV; provided, however, that if any such terms of a series of Securities shall conflict with any provision of this Article IV, the terms of such series shall govern.
Section 4.02 Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
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Section 4.03 Notice of Redemption.
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Section 4.04 Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Redemption Date for any Securities, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 5.03) an amount of money in the Currency in which such Securities are denominated (except as provided pursuant to Section 3.01) sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest and Special Interest, if any, on such Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall not be bound to make any payment until it has received in immediately available and cleared funds the full amount due to be paid to it pursuant to this Section 4.04.
Section 4.05 Securities Payable on Redemption Date. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, any Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price and from and after such date (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price) such Securities shall cease to bear interest, and, except as provided in Section 11.07, such Securities shall cease from and after the Redemption Date to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Trustee or Paying Agent with the moneys deposited in accordance with Section 4.04 above at the Redemption Price (unless the Company shall Default in the payment of the Redemption Price); provided, however, that (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 3.01) installments of interest that have a Stated Maturity on or prior to the Redemption Date for such Securities shall be payable according to the terms of such Securities and the provisions of Section 3.08.
If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal thereof shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 4.06 Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency of the Company as is specified pursuant to Section 3.01 with, if the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory
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to the Company, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; provided that if a Global Security is so surrendered, if required by the applicable Depository, the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depository for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Security or Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
Section 4.07 Tax Redemption.
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Section 4.08 Open Market Purchase. The Company or any of its Controlled Entities may, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, at any time purchase the Securities in the open market or otherwise at any price, so long as such purchase does not otherwise violate the terms of this Indenture. The Securities so purchased, while held by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Controlled Entities, shall not be deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder. The Securities that the Company or its affiliates purchase may, in the discretion of the Company, be held, resold or cancelled, but will only be resold in compliance with applicable requirements or exemptions under the relevant securities laws.
Article V
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby covenants and agrees as follows:
Section 5.01 Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on, each series of Securities, at the dates and place and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. The Company will pay all Special Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 5.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency; Paying Agent.
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Section 5.03 To Hold Payment in Trust.
Upon any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state bankruptcy laws with respect to the Company or any Affiliate thereof, if the Company or such Affiliate is then acting as Paying Agent, the Trustee shall promptly replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent.
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Section 5.04 Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities:
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Section 5.05 Limitations on Liens.
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Section 5.06 Repurchase Upon Triggering Event. The following shall apply with respect to the Securities so long as any of the Securities remain outstanding:
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The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (A) the notice is sent in a manner herein provided and (B) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Securities as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect.
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Section 5.07 Additional Amounts.
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Section 5.08 Payment for Consent. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Controlled Entities to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or any series of the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of such series of Securities as may be affected thereby that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.
Section 5.09 [Reserved].
Section 5.10 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee (a) annually, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company (which fiscal year end as of the date hereof is March 31), and, (b) upon written request by the Trustee, within 14 days of such request, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or treasurer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (which compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture),
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specifying if any Default has occurred and, in the event that any Default has occurred, specifying each such Default and the nature and status thereof of which such person may have knowledge.
Section 5.11 Conditional Waiver by Holders of Securities. Except as otherwise specified or contemplated by Section 3.01 for Securities of such series, anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may fail or omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set forth herein with respect to any series of Securities if the Company shall have obtained and filed with the Trustee, prior to the time of such failure or omission, evidence (as provided in Article VII) of the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount (or such other number of Holders as may be required by Section 13.02) of the Securities of such series affected by such waiver and at the time Outstanding, either waiving such compliance in such instance or generally waiving compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, or impair any right consequent thereon and, until such waiver shall have become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 5.12 Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee promptly and in any event within 30 calendar days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 5.13 Rule 144A Information. At any time when the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of the Securities and to prospective investors, upon the requests of such Holders, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as any Securities are not freely transferable under the Securities Act. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA.
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 6.01 Events of Default. Except where otherwise indicated by the context or where the term is otherwise defined for a specific purpose, the term “Event of Default” as used in this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series shall mean one of the following described events unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in the manner contemplated in Section 3.01:
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provided, however, that a Default under Section 6.01(d) above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding provide written notice to the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified in Section 6.01(d) above after receipt of such written notice. In the case of such written notice given to the Company by the Holders, the Company will provide a copy of such written notice to the Trustee.
Section 6.02 Acceleration; Rescission and Annulment.
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Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If the Company shall fail for a period of 30 calendar days to pay any installment of interest or Special Interest, if any, on the Securities of any series or shall fail to pay the principal of and premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at Maturity, or by call for redemption, by declaration as authorized by this Indenture, or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company shall pay to the Paying Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series then Outstanding, the whole amount which then shall have become due and payable on all the Securities of such series, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (so far as the same may be legally enforceable) on the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a).
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series, wherever situated, in the manner provided by law. Every recovery of judgment in any such action or other proceeding, subject to the payment to the Trustee of all amounts owing the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a), shall be for the ratable benefit of the
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Holders of such series of Securities which shall be the subject of such action or proceeding. All rights of action upon or under any of the Securities or this Indenture may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities and without the production of any thereof at any trial or any proceeding relative thereto.
Section 6.04 Trustee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Trustee is hereby appointed, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have appointed the Trustee, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Holder, with authority to make or file (whether or not the Company shall be in Default in respect of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any of the Securities), in its own name and as trustee of an express trust or otherwise as it shall deem advisable, in any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or to their respective creditors or property, any and all claims, proofs of claim, proofs of debt, petitions, consents, other papers and documents and amendments of any thereof, as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of the Holders of the Securities allowed in any such proceeding and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to execute and deliver any and all other papers and documents and to do and perform any and all other acts and things, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to enforce in any such proceeding any of the claims of the Trustee and any predecessor trustee hereunder and of any of such Holders in respect of any of the Securities; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor in any such proceeding is hereby authorized, and each and every Holder of the Securities, by receiving and holding the same, shall be conclusively deemed to have authorized any such receiver, assignee, trustee, custodian or debtor, to make any such payment or delivery only to or on the order of the Trustee, and to pay to the Trustee any amount due it and any predecessor trustee hereunder under Section 10.01(a); provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize or empower the Trustee to consent to or accept or adopt, on behalf of any Holder of Securities, any plan of reorganization or readjustment affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize or empower the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of any Securities in any such proceeding. In no event shall the foregoing attorney-in-fact authorization be construed as imposing any duty or obligation on the Trustee.
Section 6.05 Priorities. Any moneys or properties collected by the Trustee, or, after an Event of Default, any moneys or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, in either case with respect to a series of Securities under this Article VI shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or properties and, in the case of the distribution of such moneys or properties on account of the Securities of any series, upon presentation of the Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
First: To the payment of all amounts due to the Trustee, any predecessor trustee, and the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent, the Tender Agent, and the Registrar and any predecessor paying agent, transfer agent, tender agent and registrar, under the terms of this Indenture, including, without limitation, under Section 10.01(a) hereof, and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of their agents, delegates, attorneys and counsel.
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Second: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, ratably on the Securities of such series, in the chronological order of the Stated Maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto.
Third: In case the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any.
Fourth: Any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Company, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be so entitled.
Section 6.06 Control by Securityholders; Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee hereunder, or of exercising any trust or power hereby conferred upon the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Section 10.02, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would involve the Trustee in personal liability or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of any Holders not joining in the giving of such direction (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an obligation to determine is such direction is unduly prejudicial to the rights of the Holders) and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities at the time Outstanding may on behalf of all Holders of the Securities of such series waive any existing or past Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default (i) in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on (or Additional Amounts payable in respect of), the Securities of such series then Outstanding, in which event the consent of all Holders of the Securities of such series then Outstanding affected thereby is required, or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision which under Section 13.02 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security of such series then Outstanding affected thereby. Upon any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; provided that no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or
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Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.06, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities of such series and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing.
Section 6.07 Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity for the execution of any trust hereunder or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy hereunder, in each case with respect to an Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities, unless (i) such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of one or more continuing Events of Default herein specified with respect to such series of Securities, (ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have requested the Trustee in writing to take action in respect of the matter complained of, (iii) there shall have been offered to the Trustee pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and (iv) the Trustee, for 60 calendar days after receipt of such notification, request and offer of security, pre-funding and/or indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and have not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding a written direction inconsistent with such request; and such notification, request and offer of security, pre-funding and/or indemnity are hereby declared in every such case to be conditions precedent to any such action, suit or proceeding by any Holder of any Security of such series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of the Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by his, her, its or their action to enforce any right hereunder, except in the manner herein provided, and that every action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity shall be instituted, had and maintained in the manner herein provided and for the equal benefit of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series; provided, however, that nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series shall affect or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on and Special Interest, if any, the Securities of such series to the respective Holders of such Securities at the respective due dates in such Securities stated, or affect or impair the right, which is also absolute and unconditional, of such Holders to institute suit to enforce the payment thereof.
No one or more of the Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner therein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or any other document relating to the Securities, if the Trustee receives instructions from two or more groups of Holders, each holding at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities, and the Trustee believes (in its sole and absolute discretion and subject to such legal or other advice as it may deem appropriate) that such instructions are conflicting, the Trustee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, exercise any one or more of the following options:
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In all such instances where the Trustee has acted or refrained from acting as provided for above, the Trustee shall not be responsible for any losses or liability of any nature whatsoever to any party.
Section 6.08 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture and each Holder of any Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, shall be deemed to have agreed that any court may in its discretion require, in any action, suit or proceeding for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any action, suit or proceeding against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding of an undertaking to pay the costs of such action, suit or proceeding, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such action, suit or proceeding, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 6.08 shall not apply to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee, to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any one or more Holders of Securities holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series Outstanding, or to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by any Holder of Securities of any series for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or the interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any of the Securities of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities.
Section 6.09 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities of any series is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or remedies, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of the Securities of any series to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and every power and remedy given by this Article VI to the Trustee and to the Holders of Securities of any series, respectively, may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities of such series, as the case may be. In case the Trustee or any Holder of Securities of any series shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and the proceedings for the enforcement thereof shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of waiver or for any other reason, or shall have been adjudicated adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder of Securities, then and in every such case, subject to any determinations in such proceedings, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, and thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken, except as to any matters so waived or adjudicated.
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ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 7.01 Evidence of Action of Securityholders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage or a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities or of any series of Securities may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage or majority have joined therein may be evidenced by (a) any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Securityholders in person, by an agent or by a proxy appointed in writing, including through an electronic system for tabulating consents operated by the Depository for such series or otherwise (such action becoming effective, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, when such instruments or evidence of electronic consents are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company), or (b) by the record of the Holders of Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Securityholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Securityholders.
Section 7.02 Proof of Execution or Holding of Securities. Proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his, her or its agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
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Section 7.03 Persons Deemed Owners.
Section 7.04 Effect of Consents. After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective as to any series of Securities, a consent to it by a Holder of such series of Securities is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Securities or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
ARTICLE VIII
SECURITYHOLDERS’ MEETINGS
Section 8.01 Purposes of Meetings. A meeting of Securityholders of any or all series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following purposes:
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Section 8.02 Call of Meetings by Trustee. The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of all Securityholders of all series that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken, to take any action specified in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders of a series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be delivered to Holders of Securities of such series at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Such notice shall be delivered not less than 20 calendar days nor more than 90 calendar days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Section 8.03 Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders. In case at any time the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a series (or of all series, as the case may be) then Outstanding that may be affected by the action proposed to be taken shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Securityholders of such series (or of all series), by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have delivered the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 8.01, by delivering notice thereof as provided in Section 8.02.
Section 8.04 Qualifications for Voting. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders, a Person shall (a) be a Holder of one or more Securities affected by the action proposed to be taken at the meeting or (b) be a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a Holder of one or more such Securities. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Securityholders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
Section 8.05 Regulation of Meetings.
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Section 8.06 Voting. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Securityholders of a series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts of the Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was delivered as provided in Section 8.02. The record shall show the principal amounts of the Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee.
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 8.07 No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Nothing contained in this Article VIII shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Securityholders of any series or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Securityholders of such series under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series.
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ARTICLE IX
REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
AND SECURITYHOLDERS’ LISTS
Section 9.01 Reports by Trustee.
The Company shall reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses incurred in the preparation and transmission of any report pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.01 and of Section 9.02.
Section 9.02 Reports by the Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that, any such documents or reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 30 calendar days after the same is filed with the SEC (excluding any such information, documents, or report, or portions thereof, with respect to which the Company has received (or is actively seeking in good faith and has not been denied), confidential treatment), and after giving effect to any applicable grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act); provided further that the filing of the reports specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act by an entity that is the direct or indirect parent of the Company shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 9.02 so long as such entity is an obligor or guarantor on the Securities; provided further that the reports of such entity shall not be required to include condensed consolidating financial information for the Company in a footnote to the financial statements of such entity.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). It is expressly understood that materials transmitted electronically by the Company to the Trustee or
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filed pursuant to the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed filed with the Trustee and transmitted to Holders for purposes of this Section 9.02.
Section 9.03 Securityholders’ Lists. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
ARTICLE X
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 10.01 Rights of Trustees; Compensation and Indemnity. The Trustee accepts the trusts created by this Indenture upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the parties hereto and the Holders from time to time of the Securities agree:
The Company also agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee hereunder for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, or expense incurred without its own gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder and the performance of its duties (including in any agent capacity in which it acts), as well as the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except those caused by its own gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct as determined by a final, non-appealable decision of a
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court of competent jurisdiction. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity (including, without limitation, any and all reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses); provided, however, that the failure to so notify the Company shall not affect the obligations of the Company hereunder to indemnify.
As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 10.01(a), the Trustee shall have a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust by the Trustee to pay principal of and interest and Special Interest, if any, on any Securities. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the obligations of the Company to compensate and indemnify the Trustee under this Section 10.01(a) shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee, any satisfaction and discharge under Article XI, the payment of any Securities and the termination of this Indenture for any reason. In addition to and without prejudice to its other rights hereunder, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 6.01 occurs, the expenses and compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws. The indemnification provided in this Section 10.01(a) shall extend to the officers, directors, agents, employees and successors of the Trustee and to the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, including, without limitation, as Paying Agent, Registrar, Tender Agent and Transfer Agent.
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Section 10.02 Duties of Trustee.
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Section 10.03 Notice of Defaults. Within 90 calendar days after the occurrence thereof and if known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to the Holders of the Securities of a series notice of each Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series known to the Trustee, by transmitting such notice to Holders at their addresses as the same shall then appear on the Register, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice (the term “Default” being hereby defined to be the events specified in Section 6.01, which are, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, Events of Default as defined in said Section).
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Section 10.04 Eligibility; Disqualification.
Section 10.05 Resignation and Notice; Removal. The Trustee, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may at any time resign and be discharged of the trusts hereby created with respect to any one or more or all series of Securities by giving to the Company notice in writing. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Trustee. Any Trustee hereunder may be removed with respect to any series of Securities at any time by the filing with such Trustee and the delivery to the Company of an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, specifying such removal and the date when it shall become effective.
If at any time:
(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the TIA after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 10.04 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or
(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
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then, in any such case, (i) the Company by written notice to the Trustee may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the TIA, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
Upon its resignation or removal, any Trustee shall be entitled to the payment of compensation for the services rendered hereunder by such Trustee and to the payment of all expenses incurred hereunder and all moneys then due to it hereunder (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel). The Trustee’s rights to indemnification and its lien provided in Section 10.01(a) shall survive its resignation or removal, the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the termination of this Indenture for any reason.
Section 10.06 Successor Trustee by Appointment.
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Section 10.07 Successor Trustee by Merger. Any Person into which the Trustee or any successor to it in the trusts created by this Indenture shall be merged or converted, or any Person with which it or any successor to it shall be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee or any such successor to it shall be a party, or any Person to which the Trustee or any successor to it shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee under this Indenture without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article X. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture with respect to one or more series of Securities, any of such Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any successor to such Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to such Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor Trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
Section 10.08 Right to Rely on Officer’s Certificate. Subject to Section 10.02, and subject to the provisions of Section 15.01 with respect to the certificates required thereby, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate with respect thereto delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 10.09 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) to authenticate the Securities, and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent. Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Each Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than US$50,000,000 and subject to supervision or
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examination by federal or state authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Article X, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Article X, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article X.
Any Person into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such Person shall be otherwise eligible under this Article X, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.09, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 10.09.
The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 10.09.
Section 10.10 Communications by Securityholders with Other Securityholders. Holders of Securities may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA with respect to such communications.
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any series of Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01 for Securities of such series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for Securities denominated in a Foreign Currency may be specified pursuant to Section 3.01.
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Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
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Section 11.03 Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.
Following the Company’s exercise of its Legal Defeasance option, payment of the Securities of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. Subject to compliance with this Article XI, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 11.03(b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 11.03(c).
“Discharged” means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Securities of a series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to the Securities of such series (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (i) of 11.03(d), payment of the principal of, premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the
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Company’s obligations with respect to Securities of such series under Sections 3.04, 3.06, 3.07, 5.02, 5.03, 11.06 and 11.07 and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, indemnities, protections and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.
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Section 11.04 Repayment to Company. The Trustee and any Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company (or to its designee) upon Company Order any excess moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by them at any time, including any such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee under any escrow trust agreement entered into pursuant to Section 11.06. The provisions of the last paragraph of Section 5.03 shall apply to any moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent under this Article that remains unclaimed for two years after the Maturity of any series of Securities for which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited pursuant to Section 11.03.
Section 11.05 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal or interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations other than any such tax, fee or charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities being defeased.
Section 11.06 Deposits to Be Held in Escrow. Any deposits with the Trustee referred to in Section 11.03 above shall be irrevocable (except to the extent provided in Sections 11.04 and 11.07) and shall be made under the terms of an escrow trust agreement. As contemplated under this Article XI, if any Outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, the applicable escrow trust agreement shall provide therefor and the Company shall make such arrangements as are satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.
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If Securities of a series with respect to which such deposits are made may be subject to later redemption at the option of the Company, the applicable escrow trust agreement may, at the option of the Company, provide therefor. In the case of an optional redemption in whole or in part, such agreement shall require the Company to deposit with the Trustee on or before the date notice of redemption is given funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Securities to be redeemed together with all unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date. Upon such deposit of funds, the Trustee shall pay or deliver over to the Company as excess funds pursuant to Section 11.04 all funds or obligations then held under such agreement and allocable to the Securities to be redeemed.
Section 11.07 Application of Trust Money.
Section 11.08 Deposits of Non-U.S. Currencies. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, if the Securities of any series are payable in a Currency other than U.S. Dollars, the Currency or the nature of the government obligations to be deposited with the Trustee under the foregoing provisions of this Article XI shall be as set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or established in the supplemental indenture under which the Securities of such series are issued.
ARTICLE XII
IMMUNITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Section 12.01 No Personal Liability. No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, or the premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, any Security or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof or of the Indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, against any incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Company or any successor
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thereto, whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Indenture and the Securities are solely corporate obligations, and that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor thereto, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, because of the incurring of the Indebtedness hereby authorized or under or by reason of any of the obligations, covenants, promises or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities, or to be implied herefrom or therefrom, and that all liability, if any, of that character against every such incorporator, stockholder, officer, employee and director is, by the acceptance of the Securities and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities expressly waived and released.
ARTICLE XIII
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 13.01 Without Consent of Securityholders. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.01 with respect to any series of Securities, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any one or more of or all the following purposes:
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Subject to the provisions of Section 13.03, the Trustee is authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make the further agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property or assets thereunder.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 13.01 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 13.02.
Section 13.02 With Consent of Securityholders; Limitations.
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Section 13.03 Trustee Protected. Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required by Section 15.01 stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture to be entered into pursuant to Section 13.01 or Section 13.02 is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of consent of the Holders if the supplemental indenture is to be executed pursuant to Section 13.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of said supplemental indenture unless said supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, indemnities, protections or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into said supplemental indenture. The Trustee shall be fully protected in relying upon such Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel.
Section 13.04 Effect of Execution of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII, this Indenture shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties, indemnities, protections and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of all of the Securities or of the Securities of any series affected, as the case may be, shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
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Section 13.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in the form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for the Securities then Outstanding in equal aggregate principal amounts, and such exchange shall be made without cost to the Holders of the Securities.
Section 13.06 Conformity with TIA. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this Article XIII shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
ARTICLE XIV
[RESERVED.]
ARTICLE XV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.01 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.
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Section 15.02 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with a provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of, the TIA, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA, which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 15.03 Notices to the Company and Trustee. Any notice or demand authorized or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, the Company or the Trustee shall be sufficiently made, given, furnished or filed for all purposes if it shall be mailed, by regular mail or overnight courier, delivered or faxed or sent electronically in PDF format to:
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Any such notice, demand or other document shall be in the English language. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no such notice or demand shall be effective as to the Trustee unless it is actually received by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method), the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties. Furthermore, notwithstanding the above, if any Trustee receives information or instructions delivered by electronic mail, other electronic method or other unsecured method of communication reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been sent by the proper person or persons, the Trustee shall have (i) no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the person who sent such instructions is in fact a person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Company and (ii) absent its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct, no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by any Holder, the Company or any other person as a result of such reliance on or compliance with such information or instructions.
Section 15.04 Notices to Securityholders; Waiver. Any notice required or permitted to be given to Securityholders shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided), if to Holders, if given in writing by first class mail, postage prepaid, to such Holders at their addresses as the same shall appear on the Register. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice by this Indenture.
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Section 15.05 Legal Holiday. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 3.01, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or other scheduled date of payment of any Security of any series shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Securities of that series, then payment of principal and premium, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day.
Section 15.06 Judgment Currency. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the obligations of the Company to any Holder under this Indenture or the Securities of any series, as the case may be, shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than U.S. Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in the Judgment Currency, such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency. To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the amount of U.S. Dollars so purchased is less than the amount originally to be paid to such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, in U.S. Dollars, the Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding such judgment, to pay the difference, and if the amount of U.S. Dollars so purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder, such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, agrees to pay to or for the account of the Company such excess; provided that such Holder shall not have any obligation to pay any such excess as long as a Default by the Company in its obligations under this Indenture or such series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such Holder to such obligations. In the event the Trustee is required or requested to make such purchases of U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency, the Trustee will in good faith select a recognized banking institution in the City of New York through which the Trustee will purchase the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency; provided that the Trustee will not be liable for any losses or shortfalls in amounts so paid as a result of the foreign exchange rate applied by such banking institution to such purchases of the U.S. Dollars with the Judgment Currency in accordance with normal banking procedures.
Section 15.07 Effects of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
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Section 15.08 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the parties hereto shall bind their respective successors and assigns and inure to the benefit of their permitted successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 15.09 Severability. If any provision hereof shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable under applicable law, then the remaining provisions hereof shall be construed as though such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
Section 15.10 Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities any benefit or any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Indenture or any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.
Section 15.11 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 15.12 Governing Law; Waiver of Trial by Jury. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES.
Section 15.13 Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or New York State court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Securities. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to the Company’s agent, Corporation Service Company, located at 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10036, shall be effective service of process against the Company for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court. The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. A final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company and may be enforced in any other courts to whose jurisdiction the Company is or may be subject, by suit upon judgment. The Company further agrees that nothing herein shall affect any Holder’s right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or bring a suit action or proceeding (including a proceeding for enforcement of a judgment) in any other court or jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law.
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Section 15.14 Waiver of Immunity. To the extent that the Company or any of its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to, or have attributed to each of the Company, any right of immunity, on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise, from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any Cayman Islands, PRC, New York state or U.S. federal court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution of judgment, or from execution of judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, with respect to the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives or will waive such right to the extent permitted by applicable law, and agree not to plead or claim, any such immunity and consent to such relief and enforcement.
Section 15.15 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 15.16 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
[Signatures on following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
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ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED, as Issuer |
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Toby Hong Xu |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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CITIBANK, N.A., as Trustee |
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/s/ Peter Lopez |
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Peter Lopez |
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Senior Trust Officer |
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EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
[if a Global Security]
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.
[if a Definitive Security]
IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRUSTEE SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THE REGISTRAR AND THE TRUSTEE MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.
[if a Security that is offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, ONLY (A) BY AN INITIAL INVESTOR (AS DEFINED BELOW) (1) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (2) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT AND ANY PERSON ACTING ON ITS BEHALF REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (3) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (4)
A-1
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) (RESALES DESCRIBED IN SUBCLAUSES (1) THROUGH (4) OF THIS CLAUSE (A), “SAFE HARBOR RESALES”), OR (B) BY A SUBSEQUENT INVESTOR, IN A SAFE HARBOR RESALE OR PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (PROVIDED THAT, AS A CONDITION TO THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF ANY NOTES OTHERWISE THAN IN A SAFE HARBOR RESALE, THE COMPANY OR THE TRUSTEE MAY REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM EVIDENCING COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH EXEMPTION), OR (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND IN EACH OF SUCH CASES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, REPRESENTS AND AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT IT WILL INFORM EACH PERSON TO WHOM IT TRANSFERS THE SECURITIES OF ANY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES. FOR ALL PURPOSES OF THIS SECURITY, THE TERM “INITIAL INVESTOR” MEANS ANY PERSON WHO, IN CONNECTION WITH THE INITIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THIS SECURITY, ACQUIRES SUCH SECURITY FROM THE ISSUER OR THE INITIAL PURCHASERS (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE) PARTICIPATING IN SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING.
[If a Security offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act]
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES AND THE CLOSING, AS DEFINED IN THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED NOVEMBER 19, 2024 (THE “DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE TERMINATION DATE”), EXCEPT, (A) TO ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED (THE “ISSUER”), (B) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND MAY BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF
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THE HOLDER AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE TERMINATION DATE. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, REPRESENTS AND AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT IT WILL INFORM EACH PERSON TO WHOM IT TRANSFERS THE SECURITIES OF ANY RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES.
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FORM OF [ % NOTES DUE 20 ][ FLOATING RATE SENIOR NOTES DUE 20 ]
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
[ % Note Due 20 ][ Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 20 ]
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: US$____________
CUSIP:
ISIN:
No.: _____________
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands (the “Company,” which term includes any successor thereto under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________ U.S. DOLLARS (US$__________) (or such other principal amount as shall be set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Note attached hereto) on , 20 , or on such earlier date as the principal hereof may become due in accordance with the provisions of this Note.
Interest Rate: [ % per annum][The Applicable Rate with respect to a particular Interest Period will be a rate equal to ____ as determined by the Paying Agent on the interest Determination Date plus %].
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Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Alibaba Group Holding Limited has caused this Note to be duly executed.
ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED, |
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CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within−mentioned Indenture.
Date of authentication:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Trustee |
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By: |
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Authorized Signatory |
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[FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY]
ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LIMITED
[ % Note Due 20 ][ Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 20 ]
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of debt securities of the Company of the series designated as the [“ % Note Due 20 ”][“ Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 20 ”](the “Notes”), all issued or to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of November 26, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and Citibank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee), as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of , 20 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), duly executed and delivered by and between the Company and the Trustee. The Base Indenture as supplemented and amended by the Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Indenture”. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in the Indenture. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
1. Interest. The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this [Note at a rate of % per annum][at the Applicable Rate as described below determined by the Paying Agent (or its successor) for each Interest Period] and shall pay the Special Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. The date from which interest shall accrue on the Notes shall be , or the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or provided for. [The Applicable Rate with respect to a particular Interest Period will be a rate equal to ____ as determined on the interest Determination Date plus %. Promptly upon determination, the Paying Agent will inform the Company of the Applicable Rate for the next Interest Period. ]The Company will pay interest and Special Interest, if any, [semi−annually][quarterly] in arrears on of each year, beginning ,20 . In any case in which an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Maturity or other payment date is not a Business Day as defined in the Indenture at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day. Any payment made on such Business Day will have the same force and effect as if made on the date on which the payment is due, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. Interest shall be computed on the basis of [a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months][the actual number of days that have elapsed in the applicable Interest Period and a 360-day year].
2. Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes (except Defaulted Interest), if any, to the Persons in whose name such Notes are registered at the close of business on the Record Date referred to on the face of this Note immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled, repurchased or redeemed on or after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Payment of interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be made, in the currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, at the Corporate Trust Office or, in accordance with arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
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3. Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar. Initially, Citibank, N.A. will act as Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent and Registrar. The Company may change or appoint any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company may act in any such capacity.
4. Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (“TIA”), as in effect on the date the Indenture is qualified. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and TIA for a statement of such terms. The Notes are unsecured general obligations of the Company and constitute the series designated on the face of this Note as the [“ % Note Due 20 ”][“ Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 20 ”], initially limited to US$ in aggregate principal amount. The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to: Alibaba Group Holding Limited, 26/F Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, Attn: Company Secretary at legalnotice@list.alibaba-inc.com.
5. Redemption and Repurchase. The Notes are [not]subject to optional redemption [other than as set forth in the Base Indenture], [and][but] are the subject of a Triggering Event Offer, as further described in the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
6. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in the denominations of US$200,000 or any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Notes may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by the Company or the Registrar) at the office of the Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered for repurchase upon a Triggering Event Offer, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part.
7. Registration Rights. In addition to the rights set forth under the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, Holders of this Note will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Special Interest pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
8. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
9. Amendments, Supplements and Waivers. The Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture. Any consent or waiver by the Holders as provided in the Indenture shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holders and upon all future Holders and holders of any security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon the Notes.
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10. Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights and obligations of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
11. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or the Notes, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof.
12. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.
13. Governing Law. The Base Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture and this Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
14. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
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ASSIGNMENT
To assign this Security, fill in the form below: I or we assign and transfer this Security to
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent 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.
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Indenture, check the box below:
☐ Section 5.06
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 5.06 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
US$_________
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent 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.
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SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN NOTE*
The initial principal amount of this Security is US$______________. The following increases or decreases in a part of this Security have been made:
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EXHIBIT B
Form Of Certificate Of Transfer
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
26/F Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Attn: Company Secretary
(legalnotice@list.alibaba-inc.com)
Citibank, N.A., as Transfer Agent
388 Greenwich Street,
New York, New York 10013
Email: peter1.lopez@citi.com / citi.cspag.debt@citi.com,
Attention: Agency & Trust – Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Re: [Title of Securities]
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 26, 2024 (as supplemented to the date hereof, the “Indenture”), among Alibaba Group Holding Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), and Citibank, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
___________________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the [Security][Securities] or beneficial interest in such [Security][Securities] specified in Exhibit 1 hereto, in the principal amount of US$___________ (the “Transfer”), to ___________________________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Exhibit 1 hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Global Security or a Certificated Security Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Certificated Security is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Certificated Security for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Global Security and/or the Certificated Security pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
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2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Global Security or a Certificated Security pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the offer and sale is pursuant to an offshore transaction in compliance with an exemption from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act, (ii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iii) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the 40-day “Distribution Compliance Period”, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person and the transferred beneficial interest will be held immediately after such Transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Security will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Global Security and/or the Certificated Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security or of an Unrestricted Certificated Security.
(a) Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Certificated Securities and in the Indenture.
(b) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with an exemption from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act, in an offshore transaction and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Security will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities, on Restricted Certificated Securities and in the Indenture.
(c) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to an Effective Registration Statement. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
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(d) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Certificated Security will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Restricted Global Securities or Restricted Certificated Securities and in the Indenture.
4. Check if Transfer is to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 1 TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) a beneficial interest in the:
(i) Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S (CUSIP _________)
(b) a Restricted Certificated Security.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) a beneficial interest in the:
(i) Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) Global Security offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S (CUSIP _________), or
(iii) Unrestricted Global Security (CUSIP _________); or
(b) a Restricted Certificated Security; or
(c) an Unrestricted Certificated Security, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
26/F Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Attn: Company Secretary
(legalnotice@list.alibaba-inc.com)
Citibank, N.A., as Transfer Agent and Registrar
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Email: peter1.lopez@citi.com / citi.cspag.debt@citi.com,
Attention: Agency & Trust – Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Re: [Title of Securities]
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 26, 2024 (as supplemented to the date hereof, the “Indenture”), among Alibaba Group Holding Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), and Citibank, N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
__________________________, (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or beneficial interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of US$____________ (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. Exchange of Restricted Certificated Securities or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Security for Unrestricted Certificated Securities or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Security
(a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to Unrestricted Certificated Security. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for an Unrestricted Certificated Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Certificated Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own
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account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Certificated Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(c) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Certificated Security to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Certificated Security for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Certificated Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(d) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Certificated Security to Unrestricted Certificated Security. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Certificated Security for an Unrestricted Certificated Security, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Certificated Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Certificated Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the applicable legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Certificated Security is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. Exchange of Restricted Certificated Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities for Restricted Certificated Securities or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Securities
(a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security to Restricted Certificated Security. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security for a Restricted Certificated Security with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Certificated Security is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Certificated Security issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the Restricted Certificated Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
(b) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Certificated Security to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Security. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Certificated Security for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] Global Note offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, Global Note offered and sold pursuant to Regulation S, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the
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beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Securities and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the applicable legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Security and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
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