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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2024

Registration No. 333-   

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   46-4254555

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway

Santa Rosa, California 95403

(800) 829-4444

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Jeffrey K. Li

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway

Santa Rosa, California 95403

(800) 829-4444

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

William B. Brentani

Daniel N. Webb

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, California 94304

(650) 251-5000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effectiveness of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering: ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box: ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company       

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act: ☐

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Senior Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more series from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of the offering. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the securities we are offering and selling, as well as the specific terms of the securities. A prospectus supplement may also add to, update, supplement or clarify information contained in this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplements carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters, dealers, agents or other third parties, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis through a public offering or negotiated purchases.

Our Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KEYS.” Unless we state otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will not list any of these securities on any securities exchange.

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Prospectus dated October 1, 2024


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time any combination of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts and with prices and other terms to be determined. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the terms of the particular securities to be offered. The prospectus supplements may also add, update, change or supersede information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus, together with additional information incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before deciding whether to invest in any of the securities being offered.

You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus is accurate on any date other than the respective dates of such documents, as applicable, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our” “Keysight” or the “Company” and similar terms refer to Keysight Technologies, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “assume,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should,” “outlook” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect our expected results and are based on certain key assumptions of our management and on currently available information. Due to such uncertainties and risks, no assurances can be given that such expectations or assumptions will prove to have been correct, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are deemed made. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference herein include, but are not limited to, predictions, future guidance, projections, beliefs, and expectations about the company’s trends, seasonality, cyclicality and growth in, and drivers of, the markets we sell into, our strategic direction, earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, remediation activities, new solution and service introductions, the ability of our solutions to meet market needs, changes to our manufacturing processes, the use of contract manufacturers, the impact of government regulations on our ability to conduct operations, our liquidity position, our ability to generate cash from operations, growth in our businesses, our investments, the potential impact of adopting new accounting pronouncements, our financial results, our purchase commitments, our contributions to our pension plans, the selection of discount rates and recognition of any gains or losses for our benefit plans, our cost-control activities, savings and headcount reduction recognized from our restructuring programs and other cost saving initiatives, and other regulatory approvals, the integration of our completed acquisitions and other transactions, our transition to lower-cost regions, and operations that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from management’s current expectations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, impacts of global economic conditions such as inflation or recession, the existence of political or economic instability, uncertainty relating to national elections and election results in the United States; slowing demand for products or services; volatility in financial markets; reduced access to credit; increased interest rates; impacts of geopolitical tension and conflict in regions outside of the United States; the impacts of increased trade tension and tightening of export control regulations; the impact of new and ongoing litigation; impacts related to endemic and pandemic conditions; impacts related to net zero emissions commitments; customer purchasing decisions and timing; order cancellations; and the impact of volatile weather caused by environmental conditions such as climate change. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We assume no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

 

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KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. is a global innovator in the computing, communications and electronics market, committed to advancing our customers’ business success by helping them solve critical challenges in the development and commercialization of their products and services. Our mission, “accelerating innovation to connect and secure the world,” speaks to the value we provide our customers in a world of ever-increasing technological complexity. We deliver this value through a broad range of design and test solutions that address the critical challenges our customers face in bringing their innovations to market faster. We were formed as a Delaware corporation on December 6, 2013. On November 1, 2014, Keysight became an independent publicly-traded company through the distribution by Agilent Technologies Inc. (“Agilent”) of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of Keysight Technologies, Inc. to Agilent’s shareholders. Our principal executive offices are located at 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403. Our telephone number is (800) 829-4444.

Our website address is www.keysight.com. The information on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves certain risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as any risk factors that may be set forth in any applicable prospectus supplement, and any other documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus. See “Where you Can Find More Information.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, share repurchases, financing capital commitments and financing future acquisitions. Any other specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of such offering and will be described in the related prospectus supplement with respect thereto.

 

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

We may offer under this prospectus common stock, preferred stock, senior debt securities or any combination of the foregoing. The following description of the terms of these securities sets forth some of the general terms and provisions of the securities that we may offer. The particular terms of securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which the general terms set forth below do not apply to those securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement. If the information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement differs from the following description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

Authorized Stock

Our authorized capital stock consists of one billion shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of which 173,543,355 shares were outstanding as of August 26, 2024, and 100 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”), none of which were outstanding as of that date. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The following summary description of our capital stock is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended from time to time, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Each holder of our Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the common shareholders, and there are no cumulative voting rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any then-outstanding Preferred Stock, holders of our Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Keysight, holders of our Common Stock would be entitled to ratable distribution of our assets remaining after the payment in full of liabilities and any preferential rights of any then-outstanding Preferred Stock.

Holders of our Common Stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of our Common Stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Our Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KEYS.”

The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock is Computershare Trust Company.

Preferred Stock

This section is only a summary of the Preferred Stock that we may offer. We urge you to read carefully our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the designation we will file in relation to an issue of any particular series of Preferred Stock before you buy any Preferred Stock. This section describes the general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock we may offer by this prospectus. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the series of the Preferred Stock then offered, and the terms and provisions described in this section will apply only to the extent not superseded by the terms of the applicable prospectus supplement.

Under the terms of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our board of directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and by our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to issue up to 100 million shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series without further action by the holders of our Common Stock. Our board of directors has the discretion, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and by our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to determine the designations, powers, rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions, including voting rights (if any), dividend rights, dissolution rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, redemption rights and liquidation preferences, of each series of Preferred Stock.

The transfer agent and registrar for the Preferred Stock will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Restrictions on Change in Control

See “Important Provisions of Our Governing Documents and Delaware Law” below for a description of certain provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws that may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

General

The description below of the general terms of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus will be supplemented by the more specific terms in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be our unsecured senior notes, or the “notes”. We will issue the debt securities under an indenture to be entered into (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “indenture”) between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, or the “trustee.” The terms of each series 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 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). You should refer to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a complete statement of the terms applicable to the notes.

We have summarized material terms and provisions of the indenture below. The following summary is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the indenture. A copy of the form of indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The indenture provides that our debt securities may be issued in one or more series, with different terms, in each case as authorized from time to time by us. The indenture also gives us the ability to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities or other unsecured debt which we may issue.

The debt securities will be unsecured and unsubordinated and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

The debt securities will not be secured by any of our property or assets and will be effectively junior to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness, and will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including their indebtedness and trade payables. Thus, by owning a debt security, you are one of our unsecured creditors.

We derive a substantial portion of our operating income and cash flow from our subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to make payments when due to the holders of the notes is, in part, dependent upon the receipt of sufficient funds from our subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and will have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide Keysight with funds for its payment obligations with respect thereto, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. As a result, claims of creditors of Keysight’s subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of Keysight’s creditors, including holders of the notes. Accordingly, the notes will be structurally subordinated to creditors, including trade creditors and preferred stockholders, if any, of Keysight’s subsidiaries. In addition, provisions of applicable law, such as those limiting the payment of dividends, could limit the ability of Keysight’s subsidiaries to make payments or other distributions to it, and Keysight’s subsidiaries could agree to contractual restrictions on their ability to pay dividends or make payments or other distributions to it.

In addition to the following description of the debt securities, you should refer to the detailed provisions of the indenture, a copy of the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

A prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will specify the following terms of any issue of debt securities we may offer:

 

   

the designation or title, the aggregate principal amount and the authorized denominations if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

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the price(s) at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

the percentage of their principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and, if applicable, the method of determining the price;

 

   

if other than the principal amount, the portion of the principal amount, or the method by which the portion will be determined, of the debt securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the debt securities will mature and any right to extend the date or dates;

 

   

if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and the manner of determining the U.S. dollar equivalent for purposes of determining outstanding debt securities of a series;

 

   

the rate or rates at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, or the method of determination (including indices) of the rate or rates;

 

   

the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue, the dates on which the interest, if any, will be payable, the method of determining holders to whom any of the interest will be payable and any right to defer the payment of interest;

 

   

any mandatory or optional sinking fund or analogous provisions;

 

   

the prices, if any, at which, the dates at or after which and the terms upon which, we may or must repay, repurchase or redeem the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates, if any, after which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged into or for shares of our Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities or property or settled for the cash value of securities issued by us and the terms for any conversion or exchange or settlement;

 

   

the exchanges, if any, on which the debt securities may be listed;

 

   

any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities are to be issuable as registered securities or bearer securities or both, whether any of the debt securities are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any of the debt securities are to be issuable in permanent global form;

 

   

each office or agency where the principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable and each office or agency where the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;

 

   

any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

   

the CUSIP and/or ISIN number(s) of the debt securities of the series;

 

   

if a trustee other than U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association is to act as trustee for the debt securities of such series, the name and corporate trust office of such trustee;

 

   

any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

If the purchase price, or the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, any debt securities is payable in, or if any debt securities are denominated in, one or more foreign currencies, the restrictions, elections, U.S. federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other information related thereto will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture does not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or protect holders of the debt securities in the event of a sudden and significant decline in our credit quality or a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us. Accordingly, we could in the future enter into transactions that could increase the amount of our outstanding indebtedness or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit rating.

Further Issuances

The indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of notes that may be issued under it. Unless otherwise provided in the terms of a series of notes, a series may be reopened, without notice to or consent of any holder of outstanding notes, for issuances of additional notes of that series. The terms of each series of notes will be established by, or pursuant to, a resolution of Keysight’s board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture.

Keysight may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes having the same terms as, and ranking equally and ratably with, any series of the notes, in all respects (except for the issue date, the issue price to investors, and the first payment of interest following the issue date of such additional notes). Any such additional notes may be consolidated and form a single series with, and will have the same terms as to ranking, redemption, waivers, amendments or otherwise as, the notes of such series and will vote together as one class on all matters with respect to the notes of such series.

Payment and Transfer or Exchange

Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by Keysight for such purpose (which initially will be the corporate trust office of the trustee located at 1 California Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: (Keysight Technologies, Inc.). Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a global note registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note. If any of the notes are no longer represented by a global note, payment of interest on certificated notes in definitive form may, at the option of Keysight, be made by (i) check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses or (ii) upon request of any holder of at least $1 million principal amount of notes, wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee. See “—Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Notes” below.

A holder may transfer or exchange any certificated notes in definitive form at the office or agency of Keysight maintained for such purposes (which initially will be at the same location set forth in the preceding paragraph). No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but Keysight may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Keysight is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption during a period of 15 days before the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of notes to be redeemed.

The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of that note for all purposes.

All amounts of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes paid by Keysight that remain unclaimed two years after such payment was due and payable will be repaid to Keysight, and the holders of such notes will thereafter look solely to Keysight for payment.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The debt securities of any series may be convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock, Preferred Stock or our other securities or property or cash on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Certain Covenants

The indenture will provide that for so long as any debt securities remain outstanding under the indenture, or any amount remains unpaid on any of the debt securities outstanding under the indenture, we will comply with the applicable terms of the covenants contained in the indenture and, with respect to a series of debt securities, such other covenants as may be provided in the terms of that series of debt securities. The indenture will include the following restrictive covenant, in addition to other customary covenants:

Limitation on Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Keysight may not consolidate or merge with or into another entity, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of its property and assets substantially as an entirety to another entity unless:

 

   

(1) Keysight is the surviving or continuing entity or (2) the successor entity, if other than Keysight, is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or trust organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of Keysight’s obligations under the notes and the indenture;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default (as defined below), and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, has occurred and is continuing; and

 

   

other conditions described in the indenture are met.

In the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer or other conveyance in a transaction in which there is a successor entity, the successor entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, Keysight under the indenture and, thereafter, except in the case of a lease, Keysight will be released from the obligation to pay principal and interest on the notes and all obligations and any covenants under the notes and the indenture.

Definitions

For purposes of the indenture:

“incur” means issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for.

“indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, obligations (other than Non-recourse Obligations) of such person for borrowed money (including, without limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments).

“Non-recourse Obligation” means indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to the acquisition of assets not previously owned by Keysight or any direct or indirect subsidiaries of Keysight or the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of properties of Keysight or any direct or indirect subsidiaries of Keysight, in each case as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to Keysight or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Keysight or such subsidiary’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).

“person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or political subdivision thereof.

“subsidiary” means, with respect to any person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of that date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

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“trustee” means the person named as “Trustee” in the indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the indenture, and thereafter, “trustee” shall mean or include each person who is then a trustee under the indenture, and if at any time there is more than one such person, “trustee” as used with respect to the notes of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to the notes of that series.

Modification and Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions, the indenture and the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of all series affected by such amendment taken together (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the notes of such series). Keysight and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, change the indenture or the notes:

 

   

to evidence the succession of another person to Keysight and the assumption by any such successor of any covenants of Keysight under the indenture and the notes;

 

   

to add to any covenants of Keysight for the benefit of holders of the notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon Keysight by the indenture;

 

   

to add any additional events of default for the benefit of holders of the notes;

 

   

to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of notes in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of notes in uncertificated form;

 

   

to secure the notes or to add guarantees of or additional obligors on the notes of all or any series;

 

   

to add or appoint a successor or separate trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee in accordance with the requirements set forth in the indenture;

 

   

to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

to supplement any of the provisions of the indenture as necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of notes, provided that the interests of the holders of the notes are not adversely affected in any material respect;

 

   

to make any other change that would not adversely affect the holders of the notes in any material respect;

 

   

to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the qualification of the indenture or any supplemental indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

to conform the indenture to the “Description of the Notes” or any other similarly titled section in any offering memorandum, prospectus or prospectus supplement relating to a series of notes; and

 

   

to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture in respect of one or more series of notes, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (i) shall neither (a) apply to any note of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture affecting such modification and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (b) modify the rights of the holder of any such note with respect to such provision or (ii) shall become effective only when there is no such note outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no modification, supplement, waiver or amendment to the indenture or the notes may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding notes affected thereby:

 

   

make any change to the percentage of principal amount of notes of any series the holders of which must consent to an amendment, modification, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time of payment for interest on any notes;

 

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reduce the principal amount or extend the stated maturity of any notes;

 

   

reduce the redemption price of any notes or add redemption provisions to the notes;

 

   

make any notes payable in currency other than that stated in the indenture or the applicable notes;

 

   

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to notes; or

 

   

make any change in the ranking or priority of any series of notes that would adversely affect the holder of such series of notes.

Any past default with respect to any notes may be waived on behalf of all holders of such notes by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of all series affected by such waiver taken together, except a default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on such notes or a default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified without the consent of the holder of each such outstanding note. Any default that is so waived will cease to exist and any event of default arising from that default will be deemed to be cured for any purpose under the indenture, but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right arising from a subsequent or other default. In addition, once a default or event of default is cured, it ceases to exist.

Defeasance

Keysight at any time may terminate all its obligations with respect to any series of notes and the indenture, as it relates to such series (such termination, “legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes. Keysight at any time may also terminate its obligations described under the heading “—Certain Covenants” and under clauses (4), (5) and (6) under the heading “—Events of Default,” with respect to a series of notes, which termination is referred to herein as “covenant defeasance.” Keysight may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

If Keysight exercises its legal defeasance option with respect to any series of notes, payment of such notes may not be accelerated because of an event of default with respect thereto. If Keysight exercises its covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of notes, payment of such notes may not be accelerated because of an event of default specified in clauses (4), (5) and (6) under “—Events of Default” with respect to the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” and Keysight will no longer be obligated to comply with its obligations described under “—Certain Covenants.”

The legal defeasance option or the covenant defeasance option with respect to any notes may be exercised only if:

(a) Keysight irrevocably deposits in trust with the trustee money or U.S. government securities or a combination thereof, which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay principal and interest when due on all the notes being defeased to maturity;

(b) no default or event of default with respect to the notes has occurred and is continuing with respect to such notes on the date of such deposit, or, with respect to an event of default involving bankruptcy, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(c) in the case of the legal defeasance option, Keysight delivers to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that:

(1) Keysight has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

 

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(2) since the date of the indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

(d) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, Keysight delivers to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the notes being defeased will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

(e) Keysight delivers to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance of such notes have been complied with as required by the indenture.

Discharge

When (i) Keysight delivers to the trustee all outstanding notes of any series (other than notes replaced because of mutilation, loss, destruction or wrongful taking) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding notes of any series have become due and payable, or are by their terms due and payable within one year whether at maturity or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, and in the case of clause (ii) Keysight irrevocably deposits with the trustee funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding notes of such series, including interest thereon, and if in either case Keysight pays all other sums related to the notes of such series payable under the indenture by Keysight, then the indenture shall, subject to certain surviving provisions, cease to be of further effect with respect to such series. The trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to the notes of such series on demand of Keysight accompanied by an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel of Keysight stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to such satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.

Events of Default

Each of the following is an “event of default” under the indenture with respect to notes of any series:

(1) a failure to pay principal of the notes of such series when due at its stated maturity date, upon optional redemption or otherwise;

(2) a default in the payment of any interest or premium, if any, on the notes of such series when due, continued for 30 days;

(3) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving Keysight;

(4) a default in the performance, or breach, of Keysight’s obligations under the “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” heading described above;

(5) a default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant, warranty or agreement applicable to such series of notes (other than a default or breach pursuant to clause (4) immediately above or any other covenant or warranty a default in which is elsewhere dealt with in the indenture) for 90 days after a Notice of Default (as defined below) is given to Keysight; and

(6) (a) a failure to make any payment at maturity, including any applicable grace period, on any indebtedness for borrowed money of Keysight (other than indebtedness of Keysight owing to any of its subsidiaries) outstanding in an amount in excess of $150 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time

 

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and continuance of this failure to pay or (b) a default on any indebtedness for borrowed money of Keysight (other than indebtedness of Keysight owing to any of its subsidiaries), which default results in the acceleration of such indebtedness in an amount in excess of $150 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time without such indebtedness having been discharged or the acceleration having been cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, in the case of clause (a) or (b) above; provided, however, that if any failure, default or acceleration referred to in clauses 6(a) or (b) ceases or is cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, then the related event of default under the indenture will be deemed cured.

A default under clause (5) or (6) above is not an event of default until the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series then outstanding notify Keysight of the default and Keysight does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

Keysight shall deliver to the trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an officer’s certificate of any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become an event of default, its status and what action Keysight is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving Keysight) shall have occurred and be continuing, the trustee or the registered holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of such series may declare, by notice to Keysight in writing (and to the trustee, if given by the holders of the notes) specifying the event of default, to be immediately due and payable the principal amount of all the outstanding notes of such series, plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of acceleration. In case an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving Keysight shall occur, such amount with respect to all the outstanding notes of such series shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or the holders of the outstanding notes of such series to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Unless as otherwise provided herein, after any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the trustee, the registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes of such series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration and waive such event of default with respect to the outstanding notes of such series if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, premium or interest with respect to the outstanding notes of such series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing with respect to a series of notes, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the notes of such series, unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee, and if requested, provided, indemnity or security satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of such series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the notes of such series.

No holder of notes of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or the notes unless:

(a) such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

(b) the registered holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series then outstanding have made written request and offered reasonably satisfactory indemnity to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

 

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(c) the trustee shall not have received from the registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the notes of such series then outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of any notes for enforcement of payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such notes on or after the respective due dates thereof.

The indenture will require Keysight to furnish to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement of an officer regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming aware of any default or event of default, Keysight will be required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such default or event of default.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

The notes will trade in the same-day funds settlement system of DTC until maturity or until Keysight issues the notes in certificated form. DTC will therefore require secondary market trading activity in the notes to settle in immediately available funds. Keysight can give no assurance as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the notes.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form; Global Notes

The information in this section and in the sections titled “—Ownership of Beneficial Interests” and “—Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg” are provided solely as a matter of convenience. The operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. Keysight takes no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urges investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

The notes will be offered in minimum principal amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Keysight will issue each series of notes in the form of one or more permanent global notes in fully registered, book-entry form without interest coupons, which we refer to as the “global notes.” Each such global note will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Transfers of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to time.

Except as described below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for notes in registered certificated form (“certificated notes”) except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Ownership of Beneficial Interests.” Except in the limited circumstances described below, owners of beneficial interests in the global notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes.

Investors may hold their interests in a global note directly through DTC if they are DTC participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants.

 

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DTC has advised as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the Banking Law of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with DTC (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives), directly or indirectly own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Ownership of Beneficial Interests

Upon the issuance of each global note, DTC will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial interests represented by the global note to the accounts of participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global note will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global note will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to participants’ interests) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global note other than participants).

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder and owner of a global note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner of the notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the indenture, the notes and applicable law. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to receive certificated notes and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any notes under the global note. Keysight understands that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a global note desires to take any actions that DTC, as the holder of the global note, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action, and that participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global note will be able to transfer the interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures, in addition to those provided for under the indenture. Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on behalf of others, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in a global note to pledge that interest to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be impaired by the lack of a physical certificate of that interest.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Beneficial owners may wish to take certain steps to augment the transmission to them of notices of significant events with respect to the global notes, such as redemptions, tenders, defaults, and proposed amendments to the note documents. Beneficial owners may ascertain that the nominee holding the global notes for their benefit has agreed to obtain and transmit notices to beneficial owners or beneficial owners may provide their names and addresses to the registrar and request that copies of notices be provided directly to them.

All payments on the notes represented by a global note registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global note.

 

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Keysight expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of a global note, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global note as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Keysight also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices as is now the case with securities held for accounts for customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. These payments, however, will be the responsibility of such participants and indirect participants, and neither Keysight, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in any global note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global note.

Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated notes, each global note may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC. Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in same-day funds.

Keysight expects that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account the DTC interests in a global note are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction.

Although Keysight expects that DTC will agree to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in each global note among participants of DTC, DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither Keysight nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance or nonperformance by DTC or their participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Certificated notes may be issued in exchange for beneficial interests in the global notes under certain circumstances, including (i) if an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the notes and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange beneficial interests in the global notes for certificated notes, (ii) if DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global notes or ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either event, a successor depositary is not appointed by Keysight within 90 days or (iii) at any time Keysight notifies the trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated notes under the indenture. These certificated notes will be registered in such name or names as DTC shall instruct the trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in global securities.

Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg

If the depositary for a global security is DTC, you may hold interests in the global notes through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, which is referred to as “Clearstream, Luxembourg,” or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, which is referred to as “Euroclear,” in each case, as a participant in DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg will hold interests, in each case, on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in the names of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities in the depositaries’ names on DTC’s books.

Payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other matters relating to the notes made through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg must comply with the rules and procedures of those systems. Those

 

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systems could change their rules and procedures at any time. Keysight has no control over those systems or their participants, and it takes no responsibility for their activities. Transactions between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, on the one hand, and other participants in DTC, on the other hand, would also be subject to DTC’s rules and procedures.

Investors will be able to make and receive through Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg payments, deliveries, transfers, exchanges, notices and other transactions involving any securities held through those systems only on days when those systems are open for business. Those systems may not be open for business on days when banks, brokers and other institutions are open for business in the United States.

In addition, because of time-zone differences, U.S. investors who hold their interests in the notes through these systems and wish, on a particular day, to transfer their interests, or to receive or make a payment or delivery or exercise any other right with respect to their interests, may find that the transaction will not be effected until the next business day in Luxembourg or Brussels, as applicable. Thus, investors who wish to exercise rights that expire on a particular day may need to act before the expiration date. In addition, investors who hold their interests through both DTC and Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg may need to make special arrangements to finance any purchase or sales of their interests between the U.S. and European clearing systems, and those transactions may settle later than transactions within one clearing system.

Regarding the Trustee

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association is the trustee under the indenture and has also been appointed by Keysight to act as registrar, transfer agent and paying agent for the notes.

 

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IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND DELAWARE LAW

Provisions of the DGCL and Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire Keysight by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of Keysight to first negotiate with our board of directors. Keysight believes that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure Keysight outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

Keysight is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such time, the board of directors of such corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of such corporation at the time the transaction commenced (excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) the voting stock owned by directors who are also officers or held in employee benefit plans in which the employees do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) on or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors of such corporation and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock of such corporation not owned by the interested stockholder. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by Keysight’s board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of Common Stock held by Keysight’s stockholders.

Classified Board

Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that our board of directors is divided into three classes, with the three classes each serving staggered three-year terms. Directors for each class are elected at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the year in which the term for their class expires. Subject to the rights of holders of any then-outstanding series of preferred stock, Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the number of directors will be fixed exclusively by resolution of the board of directors.

At any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present, the election will be determined by a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election, with directors not receiving a majority of the votes cast required to tender their resignations for consideration by the board of directors, except that in the case of a contested election, the election will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote in the election. Under the classified board provisions, it would take at least two elections of directors for any individual or group to gain control of Keysight’s board of directors. Accordingly, these provisions could discourage a third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of Keysight.

 

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Removal of Directors

Keysight’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that our stockholders may remove our directors only for cause, by an affirmative vote of holders of at least the majority of Keysight’s voting stock then outstanding.

Amendments to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that we are expressly authorized to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders therein are granted subject to this reservation.

Amendments to Second Amended and Restated Bylaws

Keysight’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that they may be amended by Keysight’s board of directors or by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of Keysight’s voting stock then outstanding, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware and the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.

Size of Board and Vacancies

Keysight’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the number of directors on our board of directors will be fixed exclusively by our board of directors, subject to the rights of any holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances. Any vacancies created in our board of directors resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause will be filled by a majority of the board of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum is present, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed to fill a vacancy on Keysight’s board of directors will be appointed for a term expiring at the next election of the class for which such director has been appointed, and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified.

Special Stockholder Meetings

Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that only the board of directors, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the majority of the entire board, the chairman of the board of directors or Keysight’s chief executive officer, or, if the chief executive officer is absent or unable, by the president or any executive vice president, may call special meetings of Keysight’s stockholders. The majority of the board of directors must concur with the calling of the meeting by the chairman, chief executive officer, president or any executive vice president. Stockholders may not call special stockholder meetings.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, expressly eliminates the right of stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of Keysight stockholders.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, mandates that advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors will be given in accordance with the bylaws. The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors as well as minimum qualification requirements for stockholders making the proposals or nominations. Additionally, the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws require that candidates for election as director disclose their qualifications and make certain representations.

 

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No Cumulative Voting

The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless the company’s certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Keysight’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, does not provide for cumulative voting.

Undesignated Preferred Stock

The authority that Keysight’s board of directors possesses to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of Keysight through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or costly. Keysight’s board of directors may be able to issue Preferred Stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We will set forth a description of the plan of distribution of the securities that may be offered pursuant to this prospectus in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Palo Alto, California.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements and amendments to reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding Keysight Technologies, Inc. and other companies that file materials with the SEC electronically. Copies of our periodic and current reports and proxy statements may be obtained, free of charge, on our website at www.investor.keysight.com and by clicking on the link “Financial Information—SEC Filings.” These references to our and the SEC’s Internet addresses are for informational purposes only and shall not, under any circumstances, be deemed to incorporate the information available at or through such Internet addresses into this prospectus.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the securities that may be sold under this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information that you can find in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information concerning us and the securities being offered, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents. We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus constitutes part of a registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information contained in documents that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities hereby.

The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference in this prospectus:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, filed on December  15, 2023 (including the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on January  29, 2024, for the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders incorporated by reference therein);

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2024, filed on March 5, 2024, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2024, filed on May  31, 2024, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July  31, 2024, filed on August 29, 2024;

 

   

our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2024; and

 

   

the description of our registered securities filed as Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, filed on December 15, 2024.

We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

We will furnish without charge to each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including exhibits to these documents. You should direct any requests for such documents to Keysight Technologies, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403, telephone: (800) 829-4444. You may also access all of the documents above and incorporated by reference into this prospectus free of charge at our website www.keysight.com. The reference to our website does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on such website.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

Item. 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

All of the amounts shown are estimates.

 

SEC registration fee

   $      (1) 

Legal fees and expenses

         (2) 

Accounting fees and expenses

         (2) 

Trustee’s fees and expenses

         (2) 

Printing fees and expenses

         (2) 

Miscellaneous expenses

         (2) 

Rating agency fees

         (2) 
  

 

 

 

Total

         (1)(2) 
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

This registration statement relates to the registration of securities having an indeterminate maximum aggregate principal amount. Payment of the registration fee has been deferred and will be made in accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act.

(2)

These fees will be calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly, cannot be estimated at this time. These fees, if any, will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the DGCL allows a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was an officer or director of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that the person (a) acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests and (b) in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. A Delaware corporation may indemnify its officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that judicial approval of the indemnification is required if the officer or director is judged to be liable to the corporation in respect of any claim, issue or matter. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify the officer or director against the expenses which he or she actually and reasonably incurred. Article VI of our bylaws provides for the indemnification of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permissible under Delaware law, and if Delaware law is amended to further eliminate or reduce directors’ and officers’ liability to a Delaware corporation, our directors’ and officers’ liability shall be so eliminated or reduced as well.

In addition, in accordance with the DGCL, Article IX of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, limits the personal liability of our directors for violations of their fiduciary duty. This provision eliminates each director’s liability to us or our stockholders for monetary damages except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or

 

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Table of Contents

redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision is to eliminate the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions involving a breach of their fiduciary duty of care, including any such actions involving gross negligence.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. These agreements provide indemnity rights to the maximum extent permitted by law. While the indemnification agreements are not intended to deny or otherwise limit third-party or derivative suits against us or our directors or officers, if a director or officer were entitled to indemnity or contribution under the indemnification agreement, the financial burden of a third-party suit may be borne by us because, although any such recoveries would accrue to our benefit, they may be offset by our obligations to the director or officer under the indemnification agreement. In addition, our officers and directors are insured under an officers and directors liability insurance policy.

The form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement may provide for indemnification of our directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

Item 16. Exhibits.

The Exhibit Index filed herewith and appearing immediately before the required signatures hereto is incorporated by reference in this Item 16.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement

 

  (i)

to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

  (ii)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable, in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii)

to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii), and (iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

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(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

 

  (i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6)

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(7)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment

 

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  by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-4


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Description of Exhibit

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 3, 2014).
  4.2    Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 31, 2024).
  4.3    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Keysight Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 31, 2024).
  4.4**    Form of Indenture between Keysight Technologies, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.
  4.5    Description of Keysight Technologies, Inc. Registered Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed December 15, 2022).
  5.1**    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
 23.1**    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
 23.2**    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (contained in their opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).
 24.1**    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this registration statement).
 25.1**    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee for Senior Debt Securities.
107**    Filing Fee Table.

 

*

To be filed by post-effective amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of the offered securities.

**

Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa Rosa, State of California, on October 1, 2024.

 

Keysight Technologies, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Neil Dougherty

Name:   Neil Dougherty
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOWN ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the individuals whose signature appears below hereby constitute and appoint Jeffrey K. Li and JoAnn Juskie, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-facts and agents or any of them, or of his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do to cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Ronald S. Nersesian

Ronald S. Nersesian

  

Chairman of the Board

  October 1, 2024

/s/ Satish C. Dhanasekaran

Satish C. Dhanasekaran

   President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   October 1, 2024

/s/ Neil P. Dougherty

Neil P. Dougherty

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   October 1, 2024

/s/ Lisa M. Poole

Lisa M. Poole

   Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   October 1, 2024

/s/ James G. Cullen

James G. Cullen

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Charles J. Dockendorff

Charles J. Dockendorff

   Director   October 1, 2024

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Richard P. Hamada

Richard P. Hamada

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Michelle J. Holthaus

Michelle J. Holthaus

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Paul A. Lacouture

Paul A. Lacouture

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Jean M. Nye

Jean M. Nye

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Joanne B. Olsen

Joanne B. Olsen

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Robert A. Rango

Robert A. Rango

   Director   October 1, 2024

/s/ Kevin A. Stephens

Kevin A. Stephens

   Director   October 1, 2024

 

II-7

Exhibit 4.4

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(as the Company)

and

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(as Trustee)

Indenture

Dated as of    , 20

DEBT SECURITIES


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

             Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION      1  
 

Section 1.01

  Definitions      1  
 

Section 1.02

  Officer’s Certificates and Opinions      7  
 

Section 1.03

  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee      7  
 

Section 1.04

  Acts of Holders      8  
 

Section 1.05

  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company      8  
 

Section 1.06

  Notice to Holders; Waiver      9  
 

Section 1.07

  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act      10  
 

Section 1.08

  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents      10  
 

Section 1.09

  Successors and Assigns      10  
 

Section 1.10

  Separability Clause      10  
 

Section 1.11

  Benefits of Indenture      10  
 

Section 1.12

  Governing Law      10  
 

Section 1.13

  Counterparts      10  
 

Section 1.14

  Legal Holidays      10  
ARTICLE II THE NOTES      11  
 

Section 2.01

  Form and Dating      11  
 

Section 2.02

  Execution and Authentication      14  
 

Section 2.03

  Temporary Notes      14  
 

Section 2.04

  Registration, Transfer and Exchange      15  
 

Section 2.05

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes      17  
 

Section 2.06

  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved      18  
 

Section 2.07

  Persons Deemed Owners      19  
 

Section 2.08

  Cancellation      19  
 

Section 2.09

  Computation of Interest      19  
 

Section 2.10

  CUSIP Numbers      19  
ARTICLE III DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE      20  
 

Section 3.01

  Discharge of Indenture      20  
 

Section 3.02

  Defeasance and Discharge of Covenants upon Deposit of Moneys, U.S. Government Obligations      21  
 

Section 3.03

  Application of Trust Money      22  
 

Section 3.04

  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held      22  
 

Section 3.05

  Return of Unclaimed Amounts      22  
 

Section 3.06

  Reinstatement      23  
ARTICLE IV REMEDIES      23  
 

Section 4.01

  Events of Default      23  
 

Section 4.02

  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment      24  
 

Section 4.03

  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement      25  
 

Section 4.04

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      26  
 

Section 4.05

  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes      26  
 

Section 4.06

  Application of Money Collected      27  
 

Section 4.07

  Limitation on Suits      27  
 

Section 4.08

  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest      27  

 

i


  Section 4.09  

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     28  
  Section 4.10  

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     28  
  Section 4.11  

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     28  
  Section 4.12  

Control by Holders

     28  
  Section 4.13  

Waiver of Past Defaults

     28  
  Section 4.14  

Undertaking for Costs

     29  
  Section 4.15  

Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     29  
ARTICLE V THE TRUSTEE      29  
  Section 5.01  

Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee

     29  
  Section 5.02  

Notice of Defaults

     30  
  Section 5.03  

Certain Rights of Trustee

     30  
  Section 5.04  

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes

     32  
  Section 5.05  

May Hold Notes

     32  
  Section 5.06  

Money Held in Trust

     32  
  Section 5.07  

Compensation and Reimbursement

     33  
  Section 5.08  

Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     33  
  Section 5.09  

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     33  
  Section 5.10  

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     34  
  Section 5.11  

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     35  
  Section 5.12  

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     36  
  Section 5.13  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company

     36  
  Section 5.14  

Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     36  
ARTICLE VI HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY      37  
  Section 6.01  

The Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     37  
  Section 6.02  

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     38  
  Section 6.03  

Reports by Trustee

     38  
  Section 6.04  

Reports by the Company

     38  
  Section 6.05  

Compliance Certificate

     39  
ARTICLE VII CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR TRANSFER      39  
  Section 7.01  

When the Company May Merge or Transfer Assets

     39  
  Section 7.02  

Successor Entity Substituted

     39  
ARTICLE VIII SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES      40  
  Section 8.01  

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     40  
  Section 8.02  

Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders

     41  
  Section 8.03  

Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     41  
  Section 8.04  

Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     42  
  Section 8.05  

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     42  
  Section 8.06  

Documents to Be Given to Trustee

     42  
  Section 8.07  

Notation on Notes in Respect of Supplemental Indentures

     42  
ARTICLE IX COVENANTS      42  
  Section 9.01  

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     42  
  Section 9.02  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     43  
  Section 9.03  

Money for Note Payments to be Held in Trust

     43  
  Section 9.04  

Certificate to Trustee

     44  
  Section 9.05  

Existence

     44  

 

ii


ARTICLE X REDEMPTION OF NOTES      44  
  Section 10.01  

Optional Redemption

     44  
  Section 10.02  

Mandatory Redemption

     44  

 

iii


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310 through 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:

 

Trust Indenture Act Section:

   Indenture Section:

310(a)(1)

   5.09

(a)(2)

   5.09

(a)(3)

   N.A.

(a)(4)

   N.A.

(b)

   5.08, 5.10

311(a)

   5.13

(b)

   5.13

312(a)

   6.01, 6.02

(b)

   6.02

(c)

   6.02

313(a)

   6.03

(b)

   6.03

(c)

   6.03

(d)

   6.03

314(a)

   6.04

(a)(1)

   6.04

(a)(2)

   6.04

(a)(3)

   6.04

(a)(4)

   1.02, 9.04

(b)

   N.A.

(c)

   6.04

(c)(1)

   1.02

(c)(2)

   1.02

(c)(3)

   N.A.

(d)

   N.A.

(e)

   1.02

315(a)

   5.01, 5.03

(b)

   5.02

(c)

   5.01

(d)

   5.03

(e)

   4.14

316(a)(1)(A)

   4.12

(a)(1)(B)

   4.13

(a)(2)

   N.A.

(b)

   4.08

(c)

   1.04

317(a)(1)

   4.03

(a)(2)

   4.04

(b)

   9.03

318(a)

   1.07

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.

N.A. means Not Applicable.

 

iv


THIS INDENTURE, between Keysight Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), having its principal office at 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403 and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), is made and entered into as of this  day of    , 20 .

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issuance from time to time of its debt securities in one or more series (the “Notes”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE:

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Notes by the Holders (as hereinafter defined) thereof, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes or any series thereof as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.01 Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, and of any indenture supplemental hereto, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) “or” is not exclusive;

(3) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act (as hereinafter defined), either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(4) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; and

(5) all references in this instrument to designated “Articles,” “Sections” and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and other subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed. The words “herein,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section, or other subdivision.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.04.

 

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Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified 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.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to authenticate Notes under Section 5.14.

Authentication Order” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(1).

Bankruptcy Code” means title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar state or federal law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means (i) the Board of Directors of the Company, (ii) any committee of such Board of Directors, (iii) any committee of officers of the Company or (iv) any officer of the Company, in the cases of clauses (ii)-(iv), authorized with respect to any matter to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the secretary or an assistant 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 any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in New York City or a place of payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

Company” means Keysight Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, unless and until a successor entity or assign shall have assumed the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor entity or assign.

Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order, respectively, signed in the name of the Company by any Officer thereof and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust services business related to this Indenture shall be conducted, which office at the date hereof is located at 1 California Street, Suite 1000, San Francisco, CA 94111, Attention: (Keysight Technologies, Inc.), or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

Custodian” means the Person appointed by the Company to act as custodian for the Depositary, which Person shall be the Trustee unless and until a successor Person is appointed by the Company.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(2).

 

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Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with this Indenture.

Depositary” means with respect to the Notes of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person designated as Depositary for such series by the Company pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04, unless and until a successor Depositary for such series shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” with respect to the Notes of a series shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder with respect to such series.

Discharged” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

DTC” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(2).

Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor Act), as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect on the date of this Indenture and from time to time.

Global Note” means each note in global form issued in accordance with this Indenture and bearing the Global Note Legend.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.01(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture.

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee,” when used as a verb, has a correlative meaning.

Holder” and “Holder of Notes” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Security Register.

Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, obligations (other than Non-recourse Obligations) of such Person for borrowed money (including, without limitation, indebtedness for borrowed money evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments).

 

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Indenture” or “this Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Note, means the date specified in such Note on which an installment of interest on such Note is scheduled to be paid.

Issue Date” of any Note (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (1) the date of such Note or (2) the date of any Note (or portion thereof) for which such Note was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 3.02.

Maturity,” when used with respect to any Note, means the date on which all or a portion of the principal amount outstanding under such Note becomes due and payable, whether on the Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise.

Maturity Date,” when used with respect to any Note or any installment of principal thereof, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such Note or such installment of principal becomes due and payable.

Non-recourse Obligation” means Indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to the acquisition of assets not previously owned by the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company or the financing of a project involving the development or expansion of properties of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Company, in each case as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company or such Subsidiary’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).

Notes” has the meaning specified in the Recitals of the Company on the first page of this Indenture, including any replacement Notes issued therefor in accordance with this Indenture.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

Officers Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by any Officer of such Person that meets the applicable requirements of this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel’ means a written opinion of counsel to the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, which counsel may be an employee of the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to the Notes or any series of Notes, means, as of the date of determination, all Notes or all Notes of such series, as the case may be, theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a)such Notes or such Notes of such series, as the case may be, theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

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(b) such Notes or such Notes of such series, as the case may be, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent other than the Company, or, if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, has been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company; provided, in any case, that if such Notes or such Notes of such series, as the case may be, are to be redeemed prior to their Maturity Date, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to any redemption provision adopted under Section 2.01 of this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) such Notes or such Notes of such series, as the case may be, in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes or other Notes of such series, as the case may be, have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, or which shall have been paid, in each case, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.05 (except with respect to any such Note or any such Note of such series, as the case may be, as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Note or such Note of such series, as the case may be, is held by a person in whose hands such Notes or such Notes of such series, as the case may be, is a legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Company); and

(d) solely to the extent provided in Article III, Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, which are subject to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as provided in Section 3.02. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, Outstanding have given a direction concerning the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or concerning the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture, or concerning a consent on behalf of the Holders of the Notes or the Holders of the Notes of such series, as the case may be, to the waiver of any past default and its consequences, Notes or the Notes of such series, as the case may be, owned by the Company, any other obligor upon the Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding. In determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, or waiver hereunder, only Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, which a Responsible Officer assigned to the corporate trust department of the Trustee knows to be owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or the Notes of such series, as the case may be, or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be so disregarded. Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act as owner with respect to such Notes or Notes of such series, as the case may be, and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or the Notes of such series, as the case may be, or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

Paying Agent” means any Person appointed by the Company to distribute amounts payable by the Company on the Notes. The Company may act as its own Paying Agent. As of the date of this Indenture, the Company has appointed the Trustee as Paying Agent with respect to all Notes issuable hereunder.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or political subdivision thereof.

Predecessor Notes” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.05 in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated, or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed, mutilated, or stolen Note.

 

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Record Date” means any date as of which the Holder of a Note of any series will be determined for any purpose described herein, such determination to be made as of the close of business on such date by reference to the Security Register, and in relation to a determination of a payment of an installment of interest on the Notes of any series, shall have the meaning specified in such series of Notes.

Redemption Date” when used with respect to any Notes to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption in any notice of redemption issued pursuant to any redemption provision adopted under Section 2.01 of this Indenture.

Redemption Price” when used with respect to any Notes to be redeemed, means the price specified in any optional redemption provision adopted under Section 2.01(1)(v)(f).

Registrar” means the Person who maintains the Security Register, which Person shall be the Trustee unless and until a successor Registrar is appointed by the Company.

Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (or any successor Act), as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Security Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.

Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 2.06(2)(i).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of that date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more Subsidiaries of the parent.

Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force as of the date hereof; provided that, with respect to every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Indenture, “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as then in effect.

Trustee” means the Person named as “Trustee” in this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such 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 Notes of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Notes of that series.

 

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U.S. Government Obligations” means (a) securities that are direct obligations of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally Guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America and (b) securities that are obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally Guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, and also includes depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any of the securities described in the preceding clauses (a) and (b), and any payment of interest or principal payable under any of the securities described in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) that is held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository 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 depository receipt, or from any amount received by the custodian in respect of such securities, or from any specific payment of interest or principal payable under the securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

Section 1.02 Officers Certificates and Opinions. Every Officer’s Certificate, Opinion of Counsel and other certificate or opinion to be delivered to the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to any action to be taken by the Trustee shall include the following:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read all covenants and conditions of this Indenture relating to such proposed action, including the definitions of all applicable capitalized terms;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.03 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

(1) In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to the other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

(2) Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, legal counsel, unless such officer knows that any such certificate, opinion, or representation is erroneous. Any opinion of counsel for the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company, unless such counsel knows that any such certificate, opinion, or representation is erroneous.

(3) Where any Person is required to make, give, or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions, or other instruments under this Indenture, such instruments may, but need not, be consolidated and form a single instrument.

 

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Section 1.04 Acts of Holders.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and (if expressly required by the applicable terms of this Indenture) to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 5.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.

(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness to such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by an officer of a corporation or a member of a partnership, on behalf of such corporation or partnership, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(3) The ownership of Notes shall for all purposes be determined by reference to the Security Register, as such register shall exist as of the applicable Record Date.

(4) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, by Board Resolution, fix in advance a Record Date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such Record Date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after such Record Date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such Record Date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Notes Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Notes Outstanding shall be computed as of such Record Date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such Record Date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after such Record Date.

(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind each subsequent Holder of such Note, and each Holder of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, with respect to anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance upon such action, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

Section 1.05 Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Company. Any request, order, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other action to be taken by the Trustee, the Company or the Holders hereunder (including any Authentication Order), and any notice to be given to the Trustee or the Company with respect to any action taken or to be taken by the Trustee, the Company or the Holders hereunder, shall be sufficient if made in writing and

 

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(1) if to be furnished or delivered to or filed with the Trustee by the Company or any Holder, delivered (which may be by facsimile) to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: David Jason (Keysight Administrator), or

(2) if to be furnished or delivered to the Company by the Trustee or any Holder, and except as otherwise provided in Section 4.01, mailed to the Company, first-class postage prepaid, at the following address: c/o Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, California 95403, Attention: Treasurer or at any other address hereafter furnished in writing by the Company to the Trustee.

The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. 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: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

Section 1.06 Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in such Note) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his or her address as it appears in the Security Register as of the applicable Record Date, if any, not later than the latest date or earlier than the earliest date prescribed by this Indenture or such Note for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice nor any defect in any notice so mailed to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or otherwise, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to any Holder when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture or the applicable Note, then any method of notification as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall be deemed to be sufficient for the giving of such notice.

 

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Section 1.07 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the TIA, such required provision shall control.

Section 1.08 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents hereof are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Indenture.

Section 1.09 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.10 Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 1.11 Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in any Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, their successors hereunder, the Authenticating Agent, the Registrar, any Paying Agent, and the Holders of Notes (or such of them as may be affected thereby), any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.12 Governing Law. This Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance, with the laws of the State of New York.

Section 1.13 Counterparts. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 1.14 Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date or Maturity Date shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, the Redemption Date or Maturity Date, provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity Date, as the case may be.

Section 1.15 U.S.A. Patriot Act. To help the government of the United States of America fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For a non-individual Person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity, the Trustee may request documentation to verify such Person’s formation and existence as a legal entity and the identity of the owners or controlling persons thereof. The Trustee may also request financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent such Person or other relevant documentation.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

 

  (1)

General.

(i) The Notes of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law, stock exchange rule or DTC rule or usage or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, all as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Company shall furnish any such legends to the Trustee in writing.

(ii) The Definitive Notes, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of those methods on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by any applicable rule of any securities exchange, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

(iii) The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall, however, limit the effect of the second paragraph of this Section 2.01(1). However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling. All Notes of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

(iv) No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

(v) The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Notes may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Notes of any series:

(a) the title of the Notes of the series (which shall distinguish the Notes of the series from all other Notes);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes of the series pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 8.07 or any optional redemption provision adopted pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v)(f));

 

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(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Notes of the series is payable;

(d) the rate or rates at which the Notes of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Record Dates, if any, for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable;

(e) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Notes of the series shall be payable;

(f) any optional redemption and any change of control put provisions;

(g) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Notes of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.02;

(h) the Issue Date;

(i) the issue price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes) at which the Notes will be issued;

(j) if the Notes of the series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of Definitive Notes or as one or more Global Notes, and if so, the identity of the Depositary for such Global Notes if other than DTC;

(k) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture except as permitted by Section 8.01(12));

(l) any Events of Default with respect to the Notes of a particular series if not set forth herein; and

(m) any covenants of the Company with respect to the Notes of a particular series if not set forth herein.

Notwithstanding Section 2.01(1)(v)(b) and unless otherwise expressly provided with respect to a series of Notes, the aggregate principal amount of a series of Notes may be increased and additional Notes of such series may be issued up to the maximum aggregate principal amount authorized with respect to such series as increased; provided that, any such additional Notes shall have identical terms as the outstanding Notes of such series, other than with respect to the issue date, the issue price to investors and the first payment of interest following the issue date of such additional Notes; provided, further, that any such additional Notes shall be treated as a single class with the outstanding Notes of such series for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

  (2)

Global Notes.

(i) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01(1) above that the Notes of a series or a portion thereof are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and make available for delivery one or more Global Notes that (a) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Notes of such series issued in such form and not

 

12


yet cancelled, (b) shall be registered, in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Note pursuant to Section 2.01 or Section 2.04, or in the name of a nominee of such Depositary, (c) shall be deposited with the Trustee, as Custodian for the Depositary, and (d) shall bear a legend substantially as follows (“Global Note Legend”):

THIS IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREINAFTER.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

(ii) Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04 for a Global Note must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation, provided that the Depositary is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary.

(iii) Any Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate. The aggregate principal amount of each Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as provided in this Indenture.

 

  (3)

Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

The Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

13


Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

(1) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes of any series executed on behalf of the Company by any Officer to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a written order of the Company specifying the principal amount and registered Holder of each Note and whether such Note shall be a Definitive Note or a Global Note, and signed by an Officer (the “Authentication Order”) shall thereupon in accordance with the procedures acceptable to the Trustee set forth in the Authentication Order, and subject to the provisions hereof, authenticate and deliver such Notes to or upon the written order of the Company, without any further action by the Company except as set forth in this Section 2.02. The signature of any Officer on the Notes may be manual, electronic or facsimile. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Note that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. In authenticating such Notes and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Notes, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (except, in the case of clause (d) below, with respect to any Notes issued on the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture), and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

(a) a copy of the Board Resolution relating to such series;

(b) an executed supplemental indenture, if any, and the documentation required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.06;

(c) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Notes of such series pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v), and prepared in accordance with Section 1.02; and

(d) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 1.02.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.01 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Notes of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v) or the Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Notes of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Note of such series to be issued.

(2) Notes bearing the manual, electronic, or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time on or after the date hereof the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Notes.

(3) The Notes shall be in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the Officer’s Certificate and supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of Notes.

Section 2.03 Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes of a series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and deliver temporary Notes of such series. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes of a series in exchange for temporary Notes of such series. Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

14


Section 2.04 Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

(1) Securities Register. The Trustee shall keep a register of the Notes (the “Security Register”) which shall provide for the registration of such Notes, and for transfers of such Notes in accordance with information, if any, to be provided to the Trustee by the Company, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Trustee may prescribe. Such register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times the information contained in such register or registers shall be available for inspection at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency to be maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 9.02.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 9.02, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, series and Maturity Date.

(2) Transfer of Global Notes. Any other provision of this Section 2.04 notwithstanding, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Definitive Notes, a Global Note representing all or a portion of the Notes of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of such Depositary, or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary, or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes of each series.

 

  (3)

Legends.

Each Global Note shall bear the legend specified in clause (i) of Section 2.01(2) on the face thereof.

 

  (4)

Definitive Notes.

(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or the Notes, a Global Note may be exchanged for Notes of the same series registered in the names of any Person designated by the Depositary in the event that (a) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or such Depositary has ceased to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary, and the Company has not appointed a successor Depositary within 90 days of receiving such notice or of becoming aware of such cessation, (b) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the applicable Notes, or (c) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that the applicable Notes issued in the form of Global Notes shall no longer be represented by such Global Notes as evidenced by a Company Order delivered to the Trustee. Any Global Note exchanged pursuant to clause (a) or (c) above shall be so exchanged in whole and not in part and any Global Note exchanged pursuant to clause (b) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as

 

15


directed by the Depositary. Any Note issued in exchange for a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof shall be a Global Note, provided that any such Note so issued that is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof shall not be a Global Note.

(ii) If at any time the Depositary for the Notes of any series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Notes or if the Depositary has ceased to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary, the Company may within 90 days of receiving such notice or of becoming aware of such cessation appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Notes.

(iii) If, in accordance with this Section 2.04(4), Notes of any series in global form will no longer be represented by Global Notes, the Company will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate and make available for delivery, Definitive Notes of such series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes of such series, in exchange for such Global Notes.

(iv) If a Definitive Note is issued in exchange for any portion of a Global Note after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on any Record Date for the payment of interest and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of such Definitive Notes, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such Global Note is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

(v) Definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.04(4) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee (or an Authenticating Agent appointed pursuant to this Indenture) shall authenticate and make available for delivery Definitive Notes at the Registrar’s request, and upon direction of the Company. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) When Definitive Notes are presented to the Trustee with a request to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes or to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations of the same series, the Trustee shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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(vii) At such time as all interests in Global Notes of any series have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes of such series or cancelled, such Global Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note of any series is exchanged for Definitive Notes of such series or cancelled, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the standing procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be reduced and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.

(5) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, (i) all Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange, (ii) all transfers and exchanges of the Notes may be made only in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and (iii) the transfer and exchange of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may only be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the procedures promulgated by the Depositary.

(6) The Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of Notes under any optional redemption provision adopted pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v)(f) and ending at the close of business on the date of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed.

Section 2.05 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.

(1) If (i) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note and (ii) there is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability or expense that they may suffer if such Note is replaced and subsequently presented or otherwise claimed for payment, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company may in its discretion execute and, upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note of like tenor, series, Maturity Date, and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

(2) In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.

(3) Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section 2.05, the Company may require the payment by the Holder thereof of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

(4) Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section 2.05 in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

17


(5) The provisions of this Section 2.05 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

Section 2.06 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

(1) Interest on any Note which is payable and is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall, if so provided in such Note, be paid to the Person in whose name that Note (or one or more Predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the applicable Record Date, notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Note subsequent to such Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date (unless, if so provided in such Note, such Interest Payment Date is also the Maturity Date, in which case such interest shall be payable to the Person to whom principal is payable).

(2) Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the applicable Record Date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and, except as hereinafter provided, such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:

(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names any such Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor and shall instruct the Trustee to send notice to the holders in the name and at the expense of the Company to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Holder of each such Note at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii).

(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (ii), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

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(3) If any installment of interest on any Note called for redemption pursuant to any optional redemption provision adopted under Section 2.01(1)(v)(f) is due and payable on or prior to the Redemption Date and is not paid or duly provided for on or prior to the Redemption Date in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.06, such interest shall be payable as part of the Redemption Price of such Notes.

(4) Interest on Notes may be paid at the office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 9.02 or, at the Company’s option, through DTC, Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or Euroclear System to the Person entitled thereto or by such other means as may be specified in the form of such Note.

(5) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.06 and the provisions of Section 2.04, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.07 Persons Deemed Owners.

(1) Prior to due presentment of a Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered on the Security Register as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.06) interest, and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(2) None of the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests and each of them may act or refrain from acting without liability on any information relating to such records provided by the Depositary.

Section 2.08 Cancellation. All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and, if not already cancelled, shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. Acquisition of such Notes by the Company shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Note shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Section 2.08, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of all cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures and, upon written request, deliver a certificate of such disposition to the Company.

Section 2.09 Computation of Interest. Interest on the Notes shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, unless otherwise specified in the Officer’s Certificate and supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of Notes.

Section 2.10 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, as the case may be, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN number.

 

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ARTICLE III

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 3.01 Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture will be discharged with respect to the Notes of a series and will cease to be of further effect as to all such Notes (except as to any surviving rights of transfer or exchange of such Notes expressly provided for herein), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series, when

 

  (1)

either

(i) all Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except (i) mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid, as provided in Section 2.05 and (ii) Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 3.05) have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee cancelled or for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee cancelled or for cancellation:

(a) have become due and payable, or

(b) will, in accordance with their Maturity Date, become due and payable within one year, or

(c) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and, in any of the cases described in (a) or (b) above or in this clause (c), the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Notes for that purpose, U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee cancelled or for cancellation, for principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes of such series to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes of such series that have become due and payable), or to the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it with respect to the Notes of such series under this Indenture;

(3) in the event of a deposit and defeasance under Section 3.01(1)(ii), no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes of such series on the date of such deposit; and

(4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent to the discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series have been complied with.

 

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Notwithstanding the discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series, the obligations of the Company under Section 3.01(1) and the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 5.07 and to any Authenticating Agent under Section 5.14 shall survive, and the obligations of the Trustee under Sections 3.03 and 3.05 shall survive.

Section 3.02 Defeasance and Discharge of Covenants upon Deposit of Moneys, U.S. Government Obligations. At the Company’s option, either (a) the Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below) from its obligations with respect to the Notes of any series (“Legal Defeasance”) and/or (b) the Company shall cease to be under any obligation to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 4.01(4), 4.01(5), 4.01(6) and 9.05 (and any other Sections, covenants or Events of Default applicable to such Notes that are determined pursuant to Section 2.01 to be subject to this provision) with respect to the Notes of such series at any time after the applicable conditions set forth below have been satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”):

(1) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Trustee, as trust funds, in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series, an amount of money, in cash in U.S. dollars sufficient, or in non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, the principal of and interest on which, when due, will be sufficient, or a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series with respect to principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes of any series that have become due and payable), or to the Maturity Date or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2) No Event of Default, or event which with notice or lapse of time would become an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, with respect to an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(3), at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(3) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge contemplated by this Section 3.02 have been complied with, and:

(i) in the case of a Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

(x) the Company has received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

(ii) in the case of a Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 3.02 and such Holders will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised.

 

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If in connection with the exercise by the Company of any option under this Section 3.02, any series of Notes is to be redeemed, either notice of such redemption shall have been duly given pursuant to any redemption provision adopted under Section 2.01 of this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made.

If the Company exercises its option under Section 3.02(a) with respect to any series of Notes, payment of such Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its option under Section 3.02(b) with respect to any series of Notes, payment of such Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in, and with respect to the covenants specified in, clause (b) of this Section 3.02.

Notwithstanding the exercise by the Company of its option under Section 3.02(b) with respect to Section 7.01, the obligation of any successor entity to assume the obligations to the Trustee under Section 5.07 shall not be discharged. “Discharged” means, as to any series of Notes, that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the Notes of such series and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture relating to such series of Notes (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights of Holders of Notes of such series to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (1) above, payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and the interest, if any, on such series of Notes when such payments are due; (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.04, 2.05, 3.02(1), 3.03, and 9.02 and its obligations under Section 5.07; and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder.

Section 3.03 Application of Trust Money. All money and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01 or Section 3.02 and all proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations and the interest thereon shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest, for whose payment such money and U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee; but such money and U.S. Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 3.04 Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held. Upon the discharge of this Indenture or a Legal Defeasance, in each case, with respect to the Notes of a series, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

Section 3.05 Return of Unclaimed Amounts. Any amounts deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any Paying Agent for payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of Notes or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of Notes and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the Holders of such series of Notes for two years after the date upon which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such series of Notes, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee on demand or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such Trust; and the Holder of any Notes of such series shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect (until such time as such unclaimed amounts shall escheat, if at all, to any applicable jurisdiction) and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent

 

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with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee or Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks (in each case on any day of the week) in a newspaper printed in the English language and customarily published at least once a day at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City and State of New York, a notice that said amounts have not been so applied and that after a date named therein any unclaimed balance of said amounts then remaining will be promptly returned to the Company.

Section 3.06 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 3.03 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Holders of Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 3.01 until such time as the Trustee or such Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 3.03.

ARTICLE IV

REMEDIES

Section 4.01 Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means with respect to Notes of any series, any of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) a failure to pay principal of the Notes of such series when due at its stated maturity date, upon optional redemption or otherwise;

(2) a default in the payment of any interest or premium, if any, on the Notes of such series when due, continued for 30 days;

(3) any of:

(a) the entry of an order for relief against the Company under the Bankruptcy Code by a court having jurisdiction in the premises or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company as bankrupt or insolvent under any other applicable U.S. federal or state law, or the entry of a decree or order approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable Federal or state law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of their respective properties, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

(b) the consent by the Company to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against any of them, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable U.S. federal or state law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of their respective properties, or the making by the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of the Company’s inability to pay debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action;

 

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(4) a default in the performance, or breach, of the Company’s obligations under Section 7.01;

(5) a default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant, warranty or agreement applicable to such series of Notes (other than a default or breach under clause (4) above or any other covenant or warranty a default in which is elsewhere dealt with in this Indenture) for 90 days after a Notice of Default is given to the Company; and

(6) (a) a failure to make any payment at maturity, including any applicable grace period, on any Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company (other than Indebtedness of the Company owing to any of its Subsidiaries) outstanding in an amount in excess of $150 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time and continuance of this failure to pay or (b) a default on any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company (other than Indebtedness of the Company owing to any of its Subsidiaries), which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness in an amount in excess of $150 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time without such Indebtedness having been discharged or the acceleration having been cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, in the case of clause (a) or (b) above; provided, however, that if any failure, default or acceleration referred to in clauses (a) or (b) ceases or is cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, then the related Event of Default under this Indenture will be deemed cured.

A default under clause (5) or (6) above is not an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding notify the Company of the default and the Company does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any event that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. Upon becoming aware of any default or Event of Default, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such default or Event of Default.

Section 4.02 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

(1) If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (3) of Section 4.01) with respect to the Notes of any series shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series may declare, by notice to the Company in writing (and to the Trustee, if given by the Holders of the Notes) specifying the Event of Default, to be immediately due and payable the principal amount of all the outstanding notes of such series, plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of acceleration. In case an event of default specified in clause (3) of Section 4.01 shall occur, such amount with respect to all the Outstanding Notes of such series shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Outstanding Notes of such series to the full extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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(2) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to the Notes of any series and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained as hereinafter in this Article IV provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration or waive past defaults and their consequences, except with respect to a default in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby, if:

(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(a) all overdue installments of interest, if any, on such series of Notes,

(b) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any such series of Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest thereon at the rate prescribed therefor by the Notes of such series, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,

(c) interest on overdue installments of interest at the rate prescribed therefor by the Notes of such series to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, and

(d) the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07; and

(ii) all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal, premium or interest of the Notes of such series which have become due solely by such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 4.13.

(3) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 4.03 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement.

(1) The Company covenants that if:

(i) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Note of any series when such interest becomes due and payable; or

(ii) default is made in the payment of (or premium, if any, on) the principal of any Note of any series at the Maturity thereof; and

(iii) any such default continues for any period of grace provided in relation to such default pursuant to Section 4.01, then, with respect to such series of Notes, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series, the whole amount then due and payable on all Notes of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, together with interest (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and upon overdue installments of interest at the rate of interest prescribed therefor by the Notes of such series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07.

 

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(2) If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Notes and collect the money adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Notes, wherever situated.

(3) If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of such series of Notes by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 4.04 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

(1) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition, or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any obligor upon the Notes or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary and advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings; and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07.

(2) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 4.05 Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes of any series may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes of such series or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series.

 

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Section 4.06 Application of Money Collected. Any money or property collected by the Trustee from the Company pursuant to this Article IV shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money or property on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Notes of any series and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 5.07.

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon such series of Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind.

THIRD: To the Company.

Section 4.07 Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Note of any series may institute any action under this Indenture or the Notes, unless and until:

(1) such Holder has given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series have made a written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders has or have offered the Trustee such indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee has failed to institute any such proceeding for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

(5) no inconsistent direction has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders of Notes of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Notes of such series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and proportionate benefit of all the Holders of all Notes of such series.

Section 4.08 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.06) interest on such Note on or after the Maturity Date (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective date, and such right shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

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Section 4.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 4.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in Section 2.05(5), no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right or remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 4.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article IV or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 4.12 Control by Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series; provided that:

(1) the Trustee is offered indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

(2) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or would conflict with this Indenture or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the proceedings so directed would involve it in personal liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction; and

(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Section 4.13 Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Section 4.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of all series effected by such waiver taken together may, on behalf of the Holders of all Notes of such series, waive any past default hereunder with respect to the Notes of the effected series, except a default not theretofore cured:

(1) in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes; or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision in this Indenture which, under Article VIII, cannot be modified without the consent of the Holder of each such Outstanding Note.

 

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Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 4.14 Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 4.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder or group of Holders holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of any series to which the suit relates, or to any suit instituted by any Holder pursuant to Section 4.08.

Section 4.15 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law (other than any bankruptcy law) wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE V

THE TRUSTEE

Section 5.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.

(1) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to a series of Notes:

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to such series of Notes as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series of Notes shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(2) In case an Event of Default with respect to a series of Notes has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series of Notes and any indenture supplemental hereto relating to such series of Notes, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

 

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(3) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Section 5.01(1);

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of any series relating to the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee with respect to such series of Notes, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to such series of Notes; and

(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur any financial loss, expense or liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(4) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 5.01.

Section 5.02 Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to any series of Notes, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Notes of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on any Note of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Outstanding Notes of such series and; provided, further, that, in the case of any default of the character specified in clause (5) of Section 4.01, no such notice to Holders of Notes of such series shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 5.02, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

Section 5.03 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01:

(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but, in the case of any document which is specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof, the Trustee shall examine the document to determine whether it conforms to the requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein);

 

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(3) any request or direction of the Company described herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(4) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

(5) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(6) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee, and if requested, provided, indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(7) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

(8) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(9) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;

(10) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss or profit irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(11) the Trustee shall not be required to give any note, bond, or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture;

(12) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances, sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities; computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action;

 

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(13) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(14) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture;

(15) The Trustee will not be liable in its individual capacity for any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 4.12 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under the Indenture; and

(16) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice from the Company or any holder of the Notes or obtained actual knowledge thereof. In the absence of receipt of such notice or actual knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively assume that there is no default or Event of Default.

The provisions of this Section 5.03 shall survive the termination or discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 5.04 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of the Notes or the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be charged with notice or knowledge of any Event of Default or of the identity of a Significant Subsidiary of the Company unless either (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to and working in its Corporate Trust Office shall have actual knowledge thereof or (ii) notice thereof shall have been given to the Trustee in accordance with Section 1.05 from the Company or any Holder.

Section 5.05 May Hold Notes. The Trustee or any Paying Agent, Registrar, or other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to Sections 5.08 and 5.12, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, or such other agent.

Section 5.06 Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

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Section 5.07 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company covenants and agrees:

(1) to pay the Trustee compensation as agreed upon in writing for its services (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents (“Indemnified Parties”) for, and to hold each of them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on an Indemnified Party’s part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending the Indemnified Parties against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Trustee’s powers or duties hereunder.

The Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes upon all property and funds held by it hereunder for any amount owing it or any retiring Trustee pursuant to this Section 5.07, except with respect to funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in clause (3) of Section 4.01, such expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 5.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, it shall either eliminate such interest or resign as Trustee, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.

Section 5.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 5.09, 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 the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.09, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article V.

 

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Section 5.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article V shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 5.11.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Notes of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 5.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Notes of any series by Act of the Holders of 662/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(4) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 5.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 5.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a 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, then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Notes, or (B) subject to Section 4.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note 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 Notes and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Notes of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Notes of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Notes of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Notes of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 5.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 5.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 5.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series.

 

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(6) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Notes of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of any series to all Holders of Notes of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 5.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Notes, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its reasonable charges and subject to its lien, if any, provided by Section 5.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Notes of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Notes, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Notes of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article V.

 

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Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, including the administration of this Indenture, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder; provided that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article V, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Notes shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor Trustee by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.

Section 5.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor of the Company (or of any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or against any such other obligor, as the case may be).

Section 5.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

(1) At any time when any of the Notes remain Outstanding the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Notes which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 2.05, and Notes 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. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Notes by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as an Authenticating Agent, having (or, in the case of a subsidiary of a bank holding company, its holding company parent shall have) a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and, if other than the Company itself, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent 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 Section 5.14, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent 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 Section 5.14, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 5.14.

(2) Any corporation or other entity into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section 5.14, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

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(3) An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and, if other than the Company, 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, if other than the Company, 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 5.14, the Trustee, with the approval of the Company, may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Notes of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. 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 5.14.

(4) The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 5.14.

(5) If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section 5.14, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:    
  As Authenticating Agent
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE VI

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY

Section 6.01 The Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(1) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after the Record Date for the payment of interest in respect of each series of Notes, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, a list of the names and addresses of the Holders of such Notes as of such date; and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided that, in the case of (1) and (2), if the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such list shall not be required to be furnished.

 

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Section 6.02 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(1) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders of Notes of each series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 6.01 and the names and addresses of Holders of Notes received by the Trustee. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 6.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(2) Holders of Notes may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Holders of Notes with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes.

(3) Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company that the Company shall not be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes in accordance with Section 6.02(2), regardless of the source from which such information was derived.

Section 6.03 Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the date of the initial issuance of Notes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Notes as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, a brief report dated as of such May 15, to the extent required under Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(2) The Trustee shall comply with Sections 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time for such transmission to Holders of Notes, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each stock exchange upon which any Notes are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to promptly notify the Trustee when any Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 6.04 Reports by the Company.

The Company shall comply with the provisions of Section 314(a) and 314(c) of the TIA. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(1), (2) and/or (3) shall be for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or matters 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 provided pursuant to Section 6.05 below). The Trustee is under no duty to examine such reports, information or documents to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Indenture or to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the information or the statements contained herein, or whether any such reports, information or documents have or have not been provided as required by the TIA. The Trustee is entitled to assume such compliance with the TIA unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee is informed otherwise.

 

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Section 6.05 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a default or Event of Default has occurred, describing such default or Event of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(c) Except with respect to receipt of Note payments when due and any default or Event of Default information contained in the Officer’s Certificates delivered to it pursuant to this Section 6.05, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Company’s compliance with, or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

ARTICLE VII

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR TRANSFER

Section 7.01 When the Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. The Company may not consolidate or merge with or into another entity, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of its property and assets substantially as an entirety to another entity unless:

(1) (a) the Company is the surviving or continuing entity or (b) the successor entity, if other than the Company, is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or trust organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and

(3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such transaction complies with the terms of this Indenture.

Section 7.02 Successor Entity Substituted. In the case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer or other conveyance in a transaction in which there is a successor Person, the successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor has been named as the Company herein; and, thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the Company will be released from the obligation to pay principal and interest on the Notes and all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall enter into an indenture supplemental hereto to evidence the succession and substitution of such successor Person and such discharge and release of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 8.01 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of the Holders of any Notes, the Company and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof), in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article VII;

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of Holders of the Notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company by this Indenture;

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of Holders of the Notes;

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Notes in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Notes in uncertificated form;

(5) to secure the Notes or add Guarantees of or additional obligors on the Notes of all or any series;

(6) to add or appoint a successor or separate Trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under this Indenture by more than one Trustee in accordance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture;

(7) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(8) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture as necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Notes; provided that the interests of the Holders of the Notes are not adversely affected in any material respect;

(9) to make any other change that would not adversely affect the Holders of the Notes in any material respect;

(10) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA;

(11) to conform this Indenture to the section entitled “Description of Notes” or any similarly titled section in any offering memorandum, prospectus or prospectus supplement pursuant to which any particular series of Notes is issued under this Indenture; and

(12) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Notes; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (i) shall neither (A) apply to any Note of any series created prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture effecting such modification and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (B) modify the rights of the holder of any such Note with respect to such provision or (ii) shall become effective only when there is no such Note outstanding.

 

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No supplemental indenture for the purposes identified in clause (2) or (7) above may be entered into if to do so would adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Notes.

Section 8.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes of all series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Company, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes of each such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby:

(1) make any change to the percentage of principal amount of Notes of any series the Holders of which must consent to an amendment, modification, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time of payment for interest on any Note;

(3) reduce the principal amount or extend the stated Maturity of any Note;

(4) reduce the Redemption Price of any Note or add redemption provisions to the Notes;

(5) make any Note payable in currency other than that stated in this Indenture or the applicable Note;

(6) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes; or

(7) make any change in the ranking or priority of any series of Notes that would adversely affect the Holder of such series of Notes.

Section 8.03 Execution of Supplemental Indentures. Except with respect to any supplemental indenture entered into on the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture, in executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article VIII or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 1.02, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. Upon request of the Company and, in the case of Section 8.02, upon filing with the Trustee of evidence of an Act of Holders as aforementioned, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, powers, trusts, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

 

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Section 8.04 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article VIII, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and the respective rights, limitation of rights, duties, powers, trusts and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and every Holder of Notes theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be determined, exercised and enforced thereunder to the extent provided therein.

Section 8.05 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article VIII shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.

Section 8.06 Documents to Be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 5.01, may receive an Officer’s Certificate and (except with respect to any supplemental indenture entered into on the date of execution and delivery of this Indenture) an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article VIII complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Section 8.07 Notation on Notes in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Notes 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 form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Notes of such series then Outstanding.

ARTICLE IX

COVENANTS

Section 9.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Notes that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal, premium, if any, and interest on such series of Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in such series of Notes, and will duly comply with all the other terms, agreements and conditions contained in this Indenture for the benefit of such series of Notes.

Payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on a Global Note registered in the name of or held by the DTC or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of such Global Note. If any of the Notes are no longer represented by a Global Note, payment of interest on certificated Notes in definitive form may, at the option of the Company, be made by (i) check mailed directly to Holders at their registered addresses or (ii) upon request of any Holder of at least $1,000,000 principal amount of Notes, wire transfer to an account located in the United States by the payee.

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the applicable rate of interest determined from time to time in the manner provided for in each series of Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar law) on overdue installments of interest and (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rates to the extent lawful.

 

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Section 9.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, the Company will maintain an office or agency (which initially will be the Corporate Trust Office) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may be surrendered for transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain such office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee; provided, however, the Trustee shall not be considered an agent of the Company for service of process, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where one or more series of Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in The City of Los Angeles for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 9.03 Money for Note Payments to be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any series of Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such series of Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Holders of the Notes of such series or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal, premium, if any, or interest, on any series of Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series entitled to the same and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 9.03, that such Paying Agent will:

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, on Notes of any series in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee prompt notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes of such series) in the making of any such payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, on such Notes; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent or, if for any other purpose, all sums so held in trust by the Company in respect of all series of Notes, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

43


Section 9.04 Certificate to Trustee. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the initial issuance of Notes under this Indenture, an Officer’s Certificate that complies with TIA Section 314(a)(4) stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as officers of the Company, they would normally have knowledge of any default by the Company in the performance of any of its covenants or agreements contained herein, stating whether or not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.

Section 9.05 Existence. Subject to Article VII, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

ARTICLE X

REDEMPTION OF NOTES

Section 10.01 Optional Redemption. Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v)(f), the Company shall not be permitted to optionally redeem Notes of any series.

Section 10.02 Mandatory Redemption. Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01(1)(v)(k), the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes of any series.

[SIGNATURE PAGE NEXT]

 

44


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[Signature page to Indenture]

 

45

Exhibit 5.1

 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 HANOVER STREET

PALO ALTO, CA 94304

 

 

 

TELEPHONE: +1-650-251-5000

FACSIMILE: +1-650-251-5002

Direct Dial Number    E-mail Address

October 1, 2024

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway

Santa Rosa, California 95403

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Keysight Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to (1) shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”); (2) shares of preferred stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and (3) senior unsecured debt securities of the Company, which may be convertible or exchangeable into other securities of the Company (collectively, the “Debt Securities”). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock and the Debt Securities are hereinafter referred to, collectively, as the “Securities.” The Securities may be issued and sold or delivered from time to time for an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price.

The Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture (the “Base Indenture” and, including any supplemental indentures relating thereto, the “Indenture”), between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

BEIJING BOSTON BRUSSELS HONG KONG HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES PALO ALTO SÃO PAULO TOKYO WASHINGTON, D. C.


Keysight Technologies, Inc.    -2-    October 1, 2024

 

We have examined the Registration Statement and the form of Base Indenture, which is an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In addition, we have examined, and have relied as to matters of fact upon, originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such records, agreements, documents and other instruments and such certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Company and have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth.

In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We also have assumed that, at the time of execution, authentication, issuance and delivery, as applicable, of any of the Debt Securities, the Indenture will be the valid and legally binding obligation of the Trustee. We also have assumed that, with respect to the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the amount of valid consideration paid in respect of such shares will equal or exceed the par value of such shares.

In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed further that, at the time of execution, authentication, issuance and delivery, as applicable, of the Securities, (1) the Company will be validly existing and in good standing under the law of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and the Indenture will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with its organizational documents and the law of the jurisdiction in which it is organized, (2) the execution, delivery, issuance and performance, as applicable, by the Company of the Indenture and such Securities will not constitute a breach or violation of its organizational documents or violate the law of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or any other jurisdiction (except that no such assumption is made with respect to the law of the State of New York or the Delaware General Corporation Law, assuming there shall not have been any change in such laws affecting the validity or enforceability of the Indenture and such Securities) and (3) the execution, delivery, issuance and performance, as applicable, by the Company of the Indenture and such Securities will not constitute a breach or default under any agreement or instrument which is binding upon the Company.


Keysight Technologies, Inc.    -3-    October 1, 2024

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Common Stock, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance of the Common Stock and the terms of the offering thereof so as not to violate any applicable law or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly constituted and acting committee of such Board of Directors of the Company (such Board of Directors or committee hereinafter being referred to as the “Board”) and (b) due issuance and delivery of the Common Stock, upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. With respect to the Preferred Stock, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the Preferred Stock and the terms of the offering thereof so as not to violate any applicable law or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company by the Board, (b) due filing of the applicable definitive certificate of designations and (c) due issuance and delivery of the Preferred Stock, upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. With respect to the Debt Securities, assuming (a) the taking of all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of any Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof so as not to violate any applicable law or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company and related matters by the Board or, in the case of Debt Securities that are not convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for equity securities of the Company, duly authorized officers of the Company (such Board and any such authorized officers being hereinafter referred to as the “Company Authorizing Party”) and (b) the due execution, authentication, issuance and delivery of such Debt Securities, upon payment therefor in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the appropriate Company Authorizing Party and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of such agreement and the Indenture, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinions set forth in paragraph 3 above are subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. In addition, we express no opinion as to the validity, legally binding effect or enforceability of Section 1.10 of the Base Indenture relating to the separability of provisions of the Base Indenture.

We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law.


Keysight Technologies, Inc.    -4-    October 1, 2024

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Keysight Technologies, Inc. of our report dated December 15, 2023 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Francisco, California

October 1, 2024

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)

 

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

91-1821036

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 

800 Nicollet Mall

Minneapolis, Minnesota

  55402
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

David Jason

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

1 California Street

San Francisco, CA 94111

(415) 677-3622

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Issuer with respect to the Securities)

 

 

 

Delaware   46-4254555
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1400 Fountaingrove Parkway

Santa Rosa, California

  95403
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Debt Securities

(Title of the Indenture Securities)

 

 

 


FORM T-1

 

Item 1.

GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee.

 

  a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Washington, D.C.

 

  b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes

 

Item 2.

AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None

 

Items 3-15

Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which the Trustee acts as Trustee.

 

Item 16.

LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification.

 

  1.

A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1.

 

  2.

A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2.

 

  3.

A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2.

 

  4.

A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4.

 

  5.

A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable.

 

  6.

The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6.

 

  7.

Report of Condition of the Trustee as of June 30, 2024, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of San Francisco, State of California on the 1st of October, 2024.

 

By:   /s/ David A. Jason
  David A. Jason
  Vice President


Exhibit 1

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:

FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.

THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.

FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the

 

- 1 -


Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.

FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.

Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.

Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

 

- 2 -


Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.

Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

(1)

Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(2)

Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association.

 

(3)

Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

(4)

Dismiss officers and employees.

 

(5)

Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

(6)

Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board.

 

(7)

Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

- 3 -


(8)

Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association.

 

(9)

Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association.

 

(10)

Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders.

 

(11)

Make contracts.

 

(12)

Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.

EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.

 

- 4 -


In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.

 

/s/ Jeffrey T. Grubb
Jeffrey T. Grubb
/s/ Robert D. Sznewajs
Robert D. Sznewajs
/s/ Dwight V. Board
Dwight V. Board
/s/ P. K. Chatterjee
P. K. Chatterjee
/s/ Robert Lane
Robert Lane


Exhibit 2

 

LOGO    Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
   Washington, DC 20219

CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS

I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.

2. “U.S. Bank Trust Company National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, July 12, 2024, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.

 

  

LOGO

 

  
                   Acting Comptroller of the Currency                   
     
   LOGO   

2024-01137-C


Exhibit 4

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock.

Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.

Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.

Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.


Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.

Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.

Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.

Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.

Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.

Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.

Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board


by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.

Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.

Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.

Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.

Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.


Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.

Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE III

Committees

Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.

Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).


The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:

(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and

(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.

Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.

Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.

Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.

Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.


ARTICLE IV

Officers

Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.

Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.

Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.


Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.

Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.

ARTICLE V

Stock

Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

ARTICLE VI

Corporate Seal

Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:


ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.

Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.

Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.

Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.

Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.


ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).

Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

ARTICLE IX

Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment

Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.


ARTICLE X

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.

Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.

***

(February 8, 2021)


Exhibit 6

CONSENT

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Dated: October 1, 2024

 

By:   /s/ David A. Jason
  David A. Jason
  Vice President


Exhibit 7

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

Statement of Financial Condition

as of 6/30/2024

($000’s)

 

     6/30/2024  

Assets

  

Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions

   $ 1,420,557  

Securities

     4,393  

Federal Funds

     0  

Loans & Lease Financing Receivables

     0  

Fixed Assets

     1,164  

Intangible Assets

     577,338  

Other Assets

     153,812  
  

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 2,157,264  

Liabilities

  

Deposits

   $ 0  

Fed Funds

     0  

Treasury Demand Notes

     0  

Trading Liabilities

     0  

Other Borrowed Money

     0  

Acceptances

     0  

Subordinated Notes and Debentures

     0  

Other Liabilities

     215,138  
  

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ 215,138  

Equity

  

Common and Preferred Stock

     200  

Surplus

     1,171,635  

Undivided Profits

     770,291  

Minority Interest in Subsidiaries

     0  
  

 

 

 

Total Equity Capital

   $ 1,942,126  

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   $ 2,157,264  
0001601046S-3ASREX-FILING FEES00000000 0001601046 2024-10-01 2024-10-01 0001601046 1 2024-10-01 2024-10-01 0001601046 2 2024-10-01 2024-10-01 0001601046 3 2024-10-01 2024-10-01 iso4217:USD
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form
S-3
(Form Type)
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities
 
                         
    
Security
Type
 
Security
Class
Title
 
Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward
Rule
 
Amount
Registered
 
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
 
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
 
Fee
Rate
 
Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
Carry
Forward
Form
Type
 
Carry
Forward
File
Number
 
Carry
Forward
Initial
Effective
Date
 
Filing Fee
Previously
Paid in
Connection
with
Unsold
Securities
to
Be Carried
Forward
 
Newly Registered Securities
                         
Fees to Be Paid
  Debt   Senior Debt Securities   Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)          
                         
    Equity   Common Stock   Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)          
                         
    Equity   Preferred Stock   Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r)   (1)   (1)   (1)   (2)   (2)          
                         
Fees Previously Paid
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A          
 
Carry Forward Securities
                         
Carry Forward Securities
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A       N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
                   
   
Total Offering Amounts
    N/A     N/A          
                   
   
Total Fees Previously Paid
    N/A              
                   
   
Total Fee Offsets
    N/A              
                   
   
Net Fee Due
      N/A       N/A                
 
(1)
An indeterminate amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee, which will be paid subsequently on a
pay-as-you-go
basis. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of each identified class of securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, or pursuant to, other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units.
v3.24.3
Submission
Oct. 01, 2024
Submission [Line Items]  
Central Index Key 0001601046
Registrant Name Keysight Technologies, Inc.
Form Type S-3
Submission Type S-3ASR
Fee Exhibit Type EX-FILING FEES
v3.24.3
Offerings
Oct. 01, 2024
USD ($)
Offering: 1  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Other Rule true
Security Type Debt
Security Class Title Senior Debt Securities
Amount of Registration Fee $ 0
Offering Note
(1)
An indeterminate amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee, which will be paid subsequently on a
pay-as-you-go
basis. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of each identified class of securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, or pursuant to, other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units.
Offering: 2  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Other Rule true
Security Type Equity
Security Class Title Common Stock
Amount of Registration Fee $ 0
Offering Note
(1)
An indeterminate amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee, which will be paid subsequently on a
pay-as-you-go
basis. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of each identified class of securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, or pursuant to, other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units.
Offering: 3  
Offering:  
Fee Previously Paid false
Other Rule true
Security Type Equity
Security Class Title Preferred Stock
Amount of Registration Fee $ 0
Offering Note
(1)
An indeterminate amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered hereunder at indeterminate prices.
(2)
In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee, which will be paid subsequently on a
pay-as-you-go
basis. This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of each identified class of securities as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, or pursuant to, other securities registered hereunder. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities or that are issued in units.
v3.24.3
Fees Summary
Oct. 01, 2024
USD ($)
Fees Summary [Line Items]  
Total Offering $ 0
Previously Paid Amount 0
Total Fee Amount 0
Total Offset Amount 0
Net Fee $ 0

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