PROPOSAL 1: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK Proposed Amendment
We are submitting for stockholder approval an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock (par value $0.01 per share) the Company shall have the authority to issue by 500,000,000 shares to a total of 1,024,173,073 shares of Common Stock (the "Certificate of Amendment"). The text of the Certificate of Amendment is set forth in substantially the form of Appendix A and this description is qualified by the full text of the Certificate of Amendment. If this proposal is approved, the Certificate of Amendment will become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware, which is expected to occur promptly following the stockholder vote.
Background and Reason for the Recommendation
On January 27, 2021, the Board approved a proposal to amend our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock the Company shall have the authority to issue by 500,000,000 shares to a total of 1,024,173,073 shares of Common Stock. As of the close of business on March 3, 2021, the latest practicable date before the filing of this proxy statement, there were 450,156,186 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding and 10,920,763 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the EIP. Accordingly, 63,096,124 shares (including 3,732,625 treasury shares) of the total number of shares of Common Stock currently authorized remain available for issuance or may be reserved for issuance prior to any amendment to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock.
As a result of the retirement of our Class B common stock pursuant to a Certificate of Retirement filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 24, 2021, our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes the issuance of up to 574,173,073 shares of capital stock, consisting of (i) 524,173,073 shares of Common Stock and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
The Board believes it is in the best interest of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock in order to give the Company greater flexibility in considering and planning for future general corporate needs, including, but not limited to, the offer and sale of Common Stock in one or more public offerings or private placements, the grant of Common Stock or warrants, options or other convertible securities in one or more strategic transactions, stock dividends, grants under equity compensation plans, stock splits and other general corporate transactions. The Board believes that additional authorized shares of capital stock will enable the Company to take timely advantage of market conditions and favorable financing and other opportunities that may become available to the Company. The authorized but unissued shares will only be issued at the direction of the Board, and if required by applicable law or regulation of the NYSE, upon separate stockholder approval.
Rights of Additional Authorized Shares
Any newly authorized shares of Common Stock will be identical to the shares of Common Stock now authorized and outstanding. The Certificate of Amendment will not affect the rights of current holders of Common Stock, none of whom have preemptive or similar rights to acquire the newly authorized shares.
Potential Adverse Effects of the Certificate of Amendment
Adoption of the Certificate of Amendment will have no immediate dilutive effect on the proportionate voting power or other rights of the Company's existing stockholders. However, any future issuance of additional authorized shares of our Common Stock, at the future direction of the Board (and generally without the requirement of stockholder approval, unless
specifically required by applicable law or NYSE regulation) may, among other things, dilute the earnings per share of Common Stock and the equity and voting rights of those holding Common Stock at the time such additional shares are issued.
In addition to the general corporate purposes mentioned above, and as further described below, an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock may make it more difficult to, or discourage an attempt to, obtain control of the Company by means of a takeover bid that the Board determines is not in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. However, the Board does not intend or view the proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock as an anti-takeover measure and is not aware of any attempt or plan to obtain control of the Company.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects
The Certificate of Amendment could adversely affect the ability of third parties to effect a takeover or a change in control by, for example, permitting issuances that would dilute the ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of our Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction that the Board determines is not in our best interests or in the best interests of our stockholders. The Board's ability to issue substantial amounts of Common Stock (generally without the need for stockholder approval, except as may be required by law or NYSE regulation), upon such terms and conditions as our Board may determine, may, among other things, be used to create voting impediments with respect to a change in control or to dilute the stock ownership of stockholders seeking to obtain control of the Company. The issuance of Common Stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with potential financings and other corporate transactions, may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. Our Board, however, does not intend or view the Certificate of Amendment as an anti-takeover measure, nor does it contemplate its use in this manner at any time in the foreseeable future and is not aware of any attempt or plan to obtain control of the Company.
Appraisal Rights
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Certificate of Amendment.
Effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment
If the Certificate of Amendment is adopted, it will become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Amendment substantially in the form of Appendix A with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
The Board recommends a vote "FOR" the Certificate of Amendment.
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