makes it generally available to investors in a Regulation FD-compliant method, such as
through a press release, a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) or a Regulation FD-compliant conference call. The circulation of rumors, even if
accurate and reported in the media, does not constitute effective public dissemination. In
addition, even after a public announcement, a reasonable period of time must lapse in order
for the market to react to the information.
The laws and regulations concerning insider trading are complex, and Covered
Persons are encouraged to seek guidance from the General Counsel prior to considering a
transaction in securities.
IV.Statement of Procedures Preventing Insider Trading
The following procedures have been established, and will be maintained and
enforced, by the Company to prevent insider trading. Every officer, director and designated
employee is required to follow these procedures.
A.Pre-Clearance of All Trades by All Officers, Directors and Certain Employees
To provide assistance in preventing inadvertent violations of applicable securities
laws and to avoid the appearance of impropriety in connection with the purchase and sale of
the Company’s securities, all transactions in the Company’s securities (including
without limitation, acquisitions and dispositions of Company stock, gifts, the exercise
of stock options and the sale of Company stock issued upon exercise of stock options)
by officers, directors and such other employees as are designated by the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel
as being subject to this pre-clearance process (each, a “Pre- Clearance Person”) must
be pre-cleared by the Company’s General Counsel. Pre-clearance does not relieve anyone
of his or her responsibility under SEC rules. For the avoidance of doubt, any designation by
the Board of Directors of the employees who are subject to pre-clearance may be updated
from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General
Counsel.
A request for pre-clearance in writing (including without limitation by e-mail),
should be made at least two (2) business days in advance of the proposed transaction and
should include the identity of the Pre-Clearance Person, the type of proposed transaction
(for example, an open market purchase, a privately negotiated sale, a gift, an option
exercise, etc.), the proposed date of the transaction and the number of shares, options or
other securities to be involved. In addition, unless otherwise determined by the General
Counsel, the Pre-Clearance Person must execute a certification (in the form approved by the
General Counsel) that he, she or it is not aware of material, non-public information about
the Company. The General Counsel shall have sole discretion to decide whether to clear any
contemplated transaction, provided that the Chief Financial Officer shall have sole
discretion to decide whether to clear transactions by the General Counsel or persons or
entities subject to this policy as a result of their relationship with the General Counsel. All
trades that are pre-cleared must be effected within five business days of receipt of the pre-
clearance unless a specific exception has been granted by the General Counsel (or the Chief