CHGY 14C: 3:1 rev.splt.+authoriz 5M pref. shares.
On 11/12/10, CHGY issued SEC filing 14C. They are doing two things - a 3:1 reverse split was authorized and they created a new class of shares authorizing up to 5M preferred shares. The rationale for this is uplisting minimum share price and also making it much harder for any other coal company to effect a hostile takeover without paying much, much more. Some quotes from the 14C filing:
"The Board believes the creation of the Preferred Stock is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and believes it advisable to authorize such shares to have them available for, among other things, possible issuance in connection with such activities as public or private offerings of shares for cash, dividends payable in stock of the Company, acquisitions of other companies, implementation of employee benefit plans and otherwise."
"Although the Board has no present intention of doing so, it could issue shares of Preferred Stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, make more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or other means. When in the judgment of the Board this action will be in the best interests of the Company, such shares could be used to create voting or other impediments or to discourage persons seeking to gain control of the Company. Such shares could be privately placed with purchasers favorable to the Board in opposing such action. In addition, the Board could authorize holders of a series of Preferred Stock to vote either separately as a class or with the holders of the Company's Common Stock on any merger, sale or exchange of assets by the Company or any other extraordinary corporate transaction. The existence of the additional authorized shares could have the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts. The issuance of new shares also could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a person or entity seeking to obtain control of the Company."
"Potential Anti-Takeover Effect Of Certain Provisions. Tender offers or other non-open market acquisitions of stock are usually made at prices above the prevailing market price. In addition, acquisitions of stock by persons attempting to acquire control through market purchases may cause the market price of the stock to reach levels which are higher than would otherwise be the case. By increasing the number of shares available to authorize and issue, the Company has caused a potential anti takeover effect by creating potential dilution to the number of outstanding shares. Such dilution will cause a party attempting a takeover to be required to buy more shares of the Company stock and to expend additional resources to accomplish such a measure."