Exhibit 4.1
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HERMANOS S.A.,
Company
TO
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Trustee, Co-Registrar and Principal Paying Agent
and
BANCO RIO DE LA PLATA S.A.,
Registrar and Paying Agent
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INDENTURE
Dated as of March 31, 1998
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US$225,000,000
Series A and Series B
11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 1.01. Definitions................................................................................2
SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions......................................................31
SECTION 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee....................................................32
SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders...........................................................................33
SECTION 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Co-Registrar, Principal Paying Agent and
Company.............................................................................34
SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waivers................................................................34
SECTION 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents..................................................35
SECTION 1.08. Successors and Assigns....................................................................35
SECTION 1.09. Separability Clause.......................................................................35
SECTION 1.10. Benefits of Indenture.....................................................................35
SECTION 1.11. Governing Law.............................................................................35
SECTION 1.12. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process............................................36
SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays............................................................................37
SECTION 1.14. No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers,
Directors or Employees..............................................................37
ARTICLE 2
NOTE FORMS
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally...........................................................................38
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends.......................................................................39
SECTION 2.03. Restrictions on Transfer of Interests in the Offshore Global Senior
Note During the Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period..............................41
SECTION 2.04. Form of Face of Senior Note...............................................................41
SECTION 2.05. Form of Reverse of Senior Note............................................................43
SECTION 2.06. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication...........................................52
ARTICLE 3
THE SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 3.01. Title and Terms...........................................................................53
SECTION 3.02. Denominations.............................................................................55
SECTION 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating............................................55
SECTION 3.04. Temporary Senior Notes....................................................................56
SECTION 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.......................................57
SECTION 3.06. Book-entry Provisions for Global Senior Notes.............................................58
SECTION 3.07. Transfer Provisions.......................................................................60
SECTION 3.08. [Intentionally Omitted]...................................................................64
SECTION 3.09. Form of Regulation S Certificate..........................................................64
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SECTION 3.10. Form of Rule 144A Certificate.............................................................65
SECTION 3.11. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Senior Notes........................................66
SECTION 3.12. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved............................................67
SECTION 3.13. Persons Deemed Owners.....................................................................69
SECTION 3.14. Cancellation..............................................................................69
SECTION 3.15. Computation of Interest...................................................................69
SECTION 3.16. Cusip and CINS Numbers....................................................................69
ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture...................................................70
SECTION 4.02. Application of Trust Money................................................................71
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.........................................................................71
SECTION 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Recission and Annulment.........................................73
SECTION 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee...........................74
SECTION 5.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..........................................................75
SECTION 5.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Senior Notes.............................76
SECTION 5.06. Application of Money Collected............................................................76
SECTION 5.07. Limitation on Suits.......................................................................77
SECTION 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium,
Interest, Liquidated Damages and Additional Amounts.................................77
SECTION 5.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies........................................................77
SECTION 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative............................................................78
SECTION 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver..............................................................78
SECTION 5.12. Control by Holders........................................................................78
SECTION 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults...................................................................78
SECTION 5.14. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws..........................................................79
SECTION 5.15. Currency Indemnity........................................................................79
ARTICLE 6
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 6.01. Notice of Default.........................................................................80
SECTION 6.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.................................................................80
SECTION 6.03. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Senior Notes..........................81
SECTION 6.04. May Hold Senior Notes.....................................................................82
SECTION 6.05. Money Held in Trust.......................................................................82
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Reimbursement............................................................82
SECTION 6.07. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility...................................................83
SECTION 6.08. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.........................................83
SECTION 6.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor....................................................85
SECTION 6.10. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...............................85
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SECTION 6.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.........................................85
SECTION 6.12. Other Capacities..........................................................................86
SECTION 6.13. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee.............................................86
ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 7.01. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders..............................................87
SECTION 7.02. Reports by Trustee........................................................................87
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms......................................87
SECTION 8.02. Successor Substituted.....................................................................89
SECTION 8.03. Senior Notes to Be Secured in Certain Events..............................................90
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders........................................90
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders...........................................91
SECTION 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures......................................................92
SECTION 9.04. Effect of Supplement Indentures...........................................................92
SECTION 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.......................................................93
SECTION 9.06. Reference in Senior Notes to Supplemental Indenture.......................................93
SECTION 9.07. Notice of Supplemental Indentures.........................................................93
SECTION 9.08. Meetings of Holders.......................................................................93
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
SECTION 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, If Any, Interest, Liquidated
Damages, If Any, and Additional Amounts, If Any....................................94
SECTION 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency..........................................................95
SECTION 10.03. Money for Senior Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.......................................95
SECTION 10.04. Corporate Existence......................................................................97
SECTION 10.05. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims........................................................97
SECTION 10.06. Maintenance of Properties................................................................97
SECTION 10.07. Insurance................................................................................97
SECTION 10.08. Statement by Officers as to Default......................................................97
SECTION 10.09. Payment of Additional Amounts............................................................98
SECTION 10.10. Limitation on Indebtedness...............................................................99
SECTION 10.11. Limitation on Restricted Payments.......................................................100
SECTION 10.12. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries......................................................................103
SECTION 10.13. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates..............................................103
SECTION 10.14. Limitation on Liens.....................................................................104
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SECTION 10.15. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries........................104
SECTION 10.16. Purchase of Senior Notes upon a Change of Control.......................................105
SECTION 10.17. Limitation on Sale of Assets............................................................106
SECTION 10.18. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions...........................................108
SECTION 10.19. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Securities.............................................................109
SECTION 10.20. Provision of Reports and Financial Statements...........................................110
SECTION 10.21. Waiver of Certain Covenants.............................................................110
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 11.01. Optional Redemption.....................................................................111
SECTION 11.02. Applicability of Article................................................................112
SECTION 11.03. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee...................................................112
SECTION 11.04. Selection by Trustee of Senior Notes to Be Redeemed.....................................112
SECTION 11.05. Notice of Redemption....................................................................113
SECTION 11.06. Deposit of Redemption Price.............................................................113
SECTION 11.07. Senior Notes Payable on Redemption Date.................................................114
SECTION 11.08. Senior Notes Redeemed in Part...........................................................114
ARTICLE 12
GUARANTEES OF THE SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 12.01. Guarantee...............................................................................114
SECTION 12.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.....................................................116
SECTION 12.03. Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor.......................................................116
SECTION 12.04. Waiver of Subrogation...................................................................117
SECTION 12.05. Immediate Payment.......................................................................118
SECTION 12.06. No Set-off..............................................................................118
SECTION 12.07. Obligations Absolute....................................................................118
SECTION 12.08. Obligations Continuing..................................................................118
SECTION 12.09. Obligations Not Reduced.................................................................118
SECTION 12.10. Obligations Reinstated..................................................................118
SECTION 12.11. Obligations Not Affected................................................................119
SECTION 12.12. Waiver..................................................................................120
SECTION 12.13. Dealing with the Company and Others.....................................................120
SECTION 12.14. Default and Enforcement.................................................................121
SECTION 12.15. Costs and Expenses......................................................................121
SECTION 12.16. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies..........................................................121
SECTION 12.17. Representation and Warranty of the Subsidiary Guarantor.................................122
SECTION 12.18. Special Waiver..........................................................................122
SECTION 12.19. Severability............................................................................122
SECTION 12.20. Successors and Assigns..................................................................122
SECTION 12.21. General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations.............................................122
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ARTICLE 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 13.01. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance............................123
SECTION 13.02. Defeasance and Discharge................................................................123
SECTION 13.03. Covenant Defeasance.....................................................................124
SECTION 13.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.........................................124
SECTION 13.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.............................................126
SECTION 13.06. Reinstatement...........................................................................126
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THIS INDENTURE, dated as of March 31, 1998 among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HERMANOS S.A.,
a sociedad anonima organized, existing and incorporated in the city of Buenos
Aires (the "CITY OF BUENOS AIRES"), Argentina under the laws of the Republic of
Argentina ("ARGENTINA") on October 22, 1973, with a term of duration expiring on
November 5, 2060, and registered with the Argentine Public Registry of Commerce
on May 17, 1976 under number 1163, Book 85, Volume "A" of Estatutos de
Sociedades Anonimas, having its registered executive offices at ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (the "COMPANY"), as issuer, The Bank of
New York, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"),
Co-Registrar ("CO-REGISTRAR") and Principal Paying Agent (the "PRINCIPAL PAYING
AGENT"), and Banco Rio de la Plata SA., a sociedad anonima duly organized and
existing under the laws of Argentina, as Registrar (the "REGISTRAR"), Paying
Agent (the "PAYING AGENT') and Representative of the Trustee in Argentina for
the purpose of receiving communications in Argentina in respect of this
Indenture so long as any Senior Notes (as defined herein) remain outstanding.
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of 11 3/4% Senior
Notes due 2008, pursuant to a resolution of the Shareholders of the Company
adopted on August 28, 1997 and resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
Company adopted on September 29, 1997 and March 25, 1998, limited to
US$225,000,000 in aggregate principal amount and to provide therefor the Company
has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
WHEREAS, the corporate purpose and principal activity of the Company is the
commercialization and industrialization in every stage of production and
process, package, division, exportation and importation of raw materials,
products and by-products destinated to nourishment; and
WHEREAS, at December 31, 1997 the capital stock of the Company is Ps.
171,471,309 and the net worth of the Company is Ps. 219,622,000;
THEREFORE, all things necessary have been done to make the 11 3/4% Senior
Notes due 2008, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered
hereunder and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company
and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with
their and its terms.
RECITALS OF THE TRUSTEE
The Trustee has agreed to act as trustee under this Indenture on the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Each of the Company and the Trustee has been provided with a copy of the
resolutions of the shareholders of the Company passed on August 28, 1997 and of
the Board of Directors of the Company passed on September 29, 1997 and March 25,
1998.
Each party hereto agrees as follows for the benefit of each other party
and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 11 3/4%
Series A Senior Notes due 2008 (the "SERIES A SENIOR NOTES") and, if and when
issued in exchange for Series A Senior Notes as provided in the Registration
Rights Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the Company's 11 3/4% Series B Senior
Notes due 2008 (the "SERIES B SENIOR NOTES" and, together with the Series A
Senior Notes, the "SENIOR NOTES"):
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:
the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular,
all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein, and the terms "CASH TRANSACTION" and "SELF-LIQUIDATING PAPER", as used
in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the
Commission adopted under the Trust Indenture Act;
all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles;
and
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.
"ACQUIRED INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of a Person (a) existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, including by designation, or
(b) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets. Acquired Indebtedness
shall be deemed to be incurred on the date the acquired Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or the date of the acquisition of such assets.
"ACT", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 1.04.
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"ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS" means additional amounts as may be necessary in order
that the net amounts received by each Holder after any withholding or deduction
in respect of any Taxes shall equal the respective amounts of principal and
interest that would have been received in respect of the Senior Notes in the
absence of such withholding or deduction.
"AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person or (b) any other Person that
owns, directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries, 10% or more of
any class of such specified Person's Capital Stock or (c) any executive officer
or director of any such specified Person or, with respect to any such 10%
stockholder that is a natural Person, any spouse, sibling or child (natural or
adopted) of such natural Person. For the purposes of this definition, "CONTROL",
when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to vote 10% or
more of any class of voting securities of such Person or 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.
"ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT" means the Government of Argentina.
"AGENT MEMBERS" has the meaning specified in Section 3.06.
"ASSET SALE" means (I) any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or
other disposition (including, without limitation, by way of merger,
consolidation or sale and leaseback transaction) (collectively, a "TRANSFER"),
directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, of (a) any
Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or all or any part of the Company's
direct or indirect interest in either Danone Associated Company; (b) all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of any division or line of
business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries; or (c) any other
properties or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than in
the ordinary course of business or (II) any liquidation of either Danone
Associated Company which results in a dividend or distribution to the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary. For the purposes of this definition, the term "Asset
Sale" shall not include any transfer of properties or assets (i) that is
governed by the provisions of the Indenture described under "Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets," (ii) between or among the Company or any wholly
owned Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of the Indenture,
(iii) having a Fair Market Value of not more than US$1.0 million (or, to the
extent non-US dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) in
any given fiscal year, (iv) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
damaged, worn out or other obsolete property or assets in the ordinary course of
business, (v) any transfer constituting a Restricted Payment that is permitted
to be made, and is made, under paragraph (a) of Section 10.11 hereof, (vi) that
is permitted to be made, and is made, pursuant to the definition of "Permitted
Investments," and (vii) consisting of Receivables and Related Assets or a
fractional undivided interest therein sold by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to any Permitted Receivables Financing.
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"ATTRIBUTABLE VALUE" means, with respect to any lease at the time of
determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in
the lease or, if not known, at the Company's incremental borrowing rate) of the
obligations of the lessee of the property subject to such lease for rental
payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such transaction,
including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the
option of the lessor, be extended, or until the earliest date on which the
lessee may terminate such lease without penalty or upon payment of penalty (in
which case the rental payments shall include such penalty), after excluding from
such rental payments all amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance
and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water, utilities and similar
charges.
"AUTHENTICATING AGENT" means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on
behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Senior Notes.
"AUTHORIZED OFFICERS" means any member of the Supervisory Committee of the
Company, any Director of the Company and any other officer of the Company as may
be duly authorized to take actions under this Indenture and the Senior Notes,
provided that for purposes of executing the Senior Notes an "AUTHORIZED OFFICER"
shall mean a Director and a Member of the Supervisory Committee of the Company.
"AVERAGE LIFE" means, as of the date of determination with respect to any
Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products of
(i) the number of years from the date of determination to the date or dates of
each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without limitation, any
sinking fund requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by (ii) the amount of
each such principal payment by (b) the sum of all such principal payments.
"BASE" means the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board.
"BOARD RESOLUTION" means a copy of a resolution certified by a Notary
Public, any Director, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial
Officer or the Manager of the Legal Department 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.
"BONEX" means Bonos Externos of Argentina of any series.
"BUSINESS DAY" means, with respect to each place of payment, a day on which
banks are open for business and carrying out transactions in US Dollars in The
City of New York and the city of the Paying Agent effecting the payment.
"CAPITAL STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, partnership interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents
(however designated) of such Person's capital stock, and any rights (other than
debt securities convertible into
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capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such
capital stock, whether now outstanding or issued after the Original Issue Date.
"CAPITALIZED LEASE OBLIGATION" means any obligation of any Person under a
lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether
real, personal or mixed) that is required to be classified and accounted for as
a capital lease obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose of this Indenture,
the amount of such obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount
thereof at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"CASH EQUIVALENTS" means (a) any evidence of Indebtedness with a maturity
of 270 days or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States of America or Argentina or any agency or instrumentality thereof
(provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America or
Argentina, as the case may be, is pledged in support thereof), (b) certificates
of deposit, Eurodollar time deposits and bankers' acceptances with a maturity of
270 days or less and overnight bank deposits of any financial institution
(including any branch thereof) that is organized or regulated under the laws of
the United States of America or any state thereof, Brazil, Switzerland or
Argentina and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided
profits aggregating in excess of US$300 million, or US$100 million, in the case
of any bank or trust company organized or regulated under the laws of Argentina,
(or, to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such
amount) and has outstanding debt which is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent
rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating
organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or (in the case
of Argentina) an Argentine affiliate thereof or (c) commercial paper with a
maturity of 270 days or less issued by a corporation that is not an Affiliate of
the Company and is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or
the District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by S&P or at least P-1 by
▇▇▇▇▇'▇.
"CEDEL BANK" means Cedel Bank, societe anonyme.
"CHANGE IN LAW" means any change in, or amendment to, the laws or
regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder of Argentina or of any political
subdivision thereof or of any authority therein or thereof having power to tax
or as a result of any change in the application or official interpretation of
such laws or regulations or rulings, including without limitation a holding by a
court of competent jurisdiction, which change, amendment, application or
interpretation is proposed and becomes effective after the Original Issue Date.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) prior to the first Qualified Equity Offering, Permitted Holders beneficially
own (as defined below) less than, directly or indirectly, 51% of the total
voting power of all classes of outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, (b)
after a Qualified Equity Offering, any "person" or "group" (as such terms are
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted
Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner of more than 35% of the total voting
power of all classes of outstanding Voting Stock of the
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Company, unless the Permitted Holders are the beneficial owners of more than 51%
of the total voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; (c)
after a Qualified Equity Offering, the Company consolidates with, or merges with
or into, another Person or conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of
all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates
with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a
transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted
into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction (i) where the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted
or exchanged only to the extent necessary to reflect a change in the
jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or is converted into or exchanged
for (A) Voting Stock (not including Redeemable Capital Stock) of the Surviving
Entity or (B) cash, securities and other property (other than Voting Stock of
the Surviving Entity) in an amount that could be paid by the Company, on a pro
forma basis, as a Restricted Payment as described under Section 10.11 hereof and
(ii) immediately after such transaction, no "person" or "group" (as such terms
are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted
Holders, is the beneficial owner of more than 35% of the total voting power of
all classes of outstanding Voting Stock of the Surviving Entity, unless the
Permitted Holders are the beneficial owners of more than 51% of the total voting
power of all outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; (d) a majority of the
elected Board of Directors of the Company has been nominated by any "person" or
"group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
Act), other than Permitted Holders or a depositary or custodian for any
depositary receipts in respect of Voting Stock of the Company (provided that
such depositary or custodian is not acting at the direction of any such "person"
or "group" other than one or more Permitted Holders); or (e) the Company is
liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or dissolution. For
purposes of this definition, the term "beneficial ownership" shall have the
meaning assigned under Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that
a Person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that
such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time.
"CNV" means Comision Nacional de Valores, the Argentine National Securities
Commission.
"COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at
any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing
and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then
the body performing such duties at such time.
"COMPANY" or "▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" means the Person named as the "COMPANY" in the
first paragraph of this Indenture, until a successor Person shall have become
such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.
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"COMPANY REQUEST" or "COMPANY ORDER" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its President, any Vice President, its
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and delivered to the Trustee.
"CONSOLIDATED AMORTIZATION EXPENSE" of any Person for any period means the
amortization expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period (to the extent included in the computation of Consolidated Net Income of
the Company), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"CONSOLIDATED DEPRECIATION EXPENSE" of any Person for any period means the
depreciation expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period (to the extent included in the computation of Consolidated Net Income of
the Company), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means, with respect to any
determination date, the ratio of (i) EBITDA for four full fiscal quarters
immediately preceding the determination date, to (ii) the aggregate Fixed
Charges for such four fiscal quarters. In making such computations:
(i) EBITDA and Fixed Charges shall be calculated on a pro forma basis
assuming that (A) the Indebtedness to be incurred or the Redeemable Capital
Stock to be issued (and all other Indebtedness incurred or Redeemable
Capital Stock issued since the first day of such period of four full fiscal
quarters referred to in Section 10.10 hereof through and including the date
of determination), and (if applicable) the application of the net proceeds
therefrom (and from any other such Indebtedness or Redeemable Capital
Stock), including the refinancing of other Indebtedness, had been incurred
on the first day of such four quarter period and, in the case of Acquired
Indebtedness, on the assumption that the related transaction (whether by
means of purchase, merger or otherwise) also had occurred on such date with
the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included
in such pro forma calculation and (B) any acquisition or disposition by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any properties or assets outside
the ordinary course of business or any repayment of any principal amount of
any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to the
stated maturity thereof, in either case since the first day of such period
of four full fiscal quarters through and including the date of
determination, had been consummated on such first day of such four quarter
period;
(ii) the Fixed Charges attributable to interest on any Indebtedness
required to be computed on a pro forma basis in accordance with paragraph
(a) of Section 10.10 hereof and (A) bearing a floating interest rate shall
be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had been
the applicable rate for the entire period and (B) which was not outstanding
during the period for which the computation is being made but which bears,
at the option of the Company, a fixed or floating rate of interest, shall
be computed by applying, at the option of the Company, either the fixed or
floating rate;
7
(iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to interest on any Indebtedness
under a revolving credit facility required to be computed on a pro forma
basis in accordance with paragraph (a) under Section 10.10 hereof shall be
computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during
the applicable period, provided that such average daily balance shall be
reduced by the amount of any repayment of Indebtedness under a revolving
credit facility during the applicable period, which repayment permanently
reduced the commitments or amounts available to be reborrowed under such
facility;
(iv) notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), interest on
Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest
is covered by agreements relating to Hedging Obligations, shall be deemed
to have accrued at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the
operation of such agreements; and
(v) if after the first day of the applicable four-quarter period the
Company has permanently retired any Indebtedness out of the net proceeds of
the issuance and sale of shares of Capital Stock (other than Redeemable
Capital Stock) of the Company within 30 days of such issuance and sale,
Fixed Charges shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such
Indebtedness had been retired on the first day of such period.
"CONSOLIDATED INCOME TAX EXPENSE" means, for any Person for any period, the
provision for taxes based on income and profits of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.
"CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, without duplication, with respect to
any Person for any period, the sum of the interest expense on all Indebtedness
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including, without limitation (i)
imputed interest on Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable Value, (ii)
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters
of credit securing financial obligations and bankers' acceptance financing,
(iii) the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations, (iv) amortization of
other financing fees and expenses, (v) the interest portion of any deferred
payment obligations, (vi) amortization of debt discount or premium, if any,
(vii) all other non-cash interest expense, (viii) capitalized interest, (ix) all
interest payable with respect to discontinued operations.
"CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" for any period means the net income (or loss) of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be
excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein),
without duplication: (i) the net income (or loss) of any Person (other than a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) in which any Person other than the Company
has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income has
actually been received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
the form of cash dividends during such period; (ii) except to the extent
8
includible in the consolidated net income of the Company pursuant to the
foregoing clause (i), the net income (or loss) of any Person that accrued prior
to the date that (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (b) the assets of such Person are acquired by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company during such period to the extent that the declaration
or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary
of that income (a) is not permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or
any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary during such
period (except to the extent that (x) such net income could be paid to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof by loans, advances, intercompany
transfers, principal repayments or otherwise and (y) the Company would not be
under any obligation to repay, return, transfer or invest any such amount so
paid to or in that Restricted Subsidiary at any time prior to one year after the
Stated Maturity of the principal of the Senior Notes) or (b) would be subject to
any taxes payable on such dividend or distribution; (iv) any gain (but not
loss), together with any related provisions for taxes on any such gain, realized
during such period by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon (a)
the acquisition of any securities, or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness, of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) any Asset Sale by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (v) any extraordinary gain (but
not extraordinary loss), together with any related provision for taxes on any
such extraordinary gain, realized by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries during such period; and (vi) in the case of a successor to such
Person by consolidation, merger or transfer of its assets, any earnings of the
successor prior to such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets; and
provided further that (A) any gain referred to in clauses (iv) and (v) above
that relates to a Restricted Investment and which is received in cash by the
Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period shall be
included in the Consolidated Net Income and (B) any cash gain referred to in
clause (iv) above shall, for purposes only of calculating the amount of
Restricted Payment that may be made pursuant to Section 10.11(a)(v)(A), be
included in calculating Consolidated Net Income.
"CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH" means, as of any date of determination, the sum of
(i) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or
annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
plus (ii) the respective amounts reported on such consolidated balance sheet
with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than Redeemable Stock) that
by its terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends
may be declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such
declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries upon issuance of such preferred stock,
less all write-ups (other than write-ups resulting from foreign currency
translations and write-ups of tangible assets of a going concern business made
within 12 months after the acquisition of such business) subsequent to the date
of the Indenture in the book value of any asset owned by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary, each item determined in conformity with GAAP.
9
"CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE ASSETS" as of any date of determination means the
total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any
assets that would be classified as "intangible assets" under GAAP) on a
consolidated basis as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or
annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, less all write-ups subsequent to the Original Issue Date in the
book value of any asset owned by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries each item determined in conformity with GAAP.
"CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE" means the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be
administered, which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is located
at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
"CORPORATION" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
trusts.
"CURRENCY AGREEMENTS" means any spot or forward foreign exchange agreements
and currency swap, currency option or other similar financial agreements or
arrangements entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
in the ordinary course of business and designed to protect against or manage
exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
"DANONE ASSOCIATED COMPANIES" means Danone, S.A. and Lacteos ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇.▇.
"DEFAULT" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
"DEFAULTED INTEREST" has the meaning specified in Section 3.12.
"DEPOSITARY" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and
successors.
"DISINTERESTED DIRECTOR" means, with respect to any transaction or series
of transactions in respect of which the Board of Directors is required to
deliver a resolution of the Board of Directors under this Indenture, a member of
the Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect
financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of
transactions.
"EBITDA" means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of the amounts
for such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated Income Tax
Expense, (iii) Consolidated Amortization Expense (but only to the extent not
included in Fixed Charges), (iv) Consolidated Depreciation Expense, (v) Fixed
Charges, (vi) prepayment or make-whole payments incurred in connection with the
repayment of Indebtedness on the Original Issue Date, and (vii) all other
non-cash items reducing the Consolidated Net Income and minus non-cash items
increasing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash charge that
results in an accrual of a reserve for cash charges in any future period and
non-cash credits resulting from changes in prepaid assets or accrued liabilities
10
in the ordinary course of business) of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP (provided, however, that the amounts set forth in clauses (ii) through
(vii) shall be included without duplication and only to the extent such amounts
actually reduced (or increased) Consolidated Net Income).
"EUROCLEAR" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
Office, as operator of the Euroclear System.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.
"EXCESS PROCEEDS OFFER" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.17.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"EXCHANGE OFFER" means the offer by the Company to Holders to exchange
Series B Senior Notes for Series A Senior Notes.
"EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
"EXEMPTED AFFILIATE TRANSACTION" means (i) transactions with any Person
that is an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary solely as the
result of the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's Investment in such
Person, (ii) so long as Leitesol S.A. is an Affiliate of the Company, the sale
of powdered milk and other dairy products and provision of services to Leitesol
S.A., but only if and for so long as a majority of the Disinterested Directors
of the Company determine no less frequently than once per quarter after the
Original Issue Date that (A) such transactions (including the payment terms of
accounts receivable, open accounts or other extensions of trade or other credit
owed by Leitesol S.A. to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) are on an
arms-length basis and are fair to the Company from a financial point of view and
(B) the Company has received in cash, by way of capital contributions or the
issuance and sale of its Qualified Capital Stock and within 90 days of the last
day of each full fiscal quarter of Leitesol S.A. occurring after the Original
Issue Date an amount equal to the sum of (I) all dividends received from
Leitesol S.A. by its shareholders during such fiscal quarter (net of taxes) plus
(II) the shareholders' equity of Leitesol S.A. permitted by law to be
distributed as a dividend in excess of US$10 million on such last day (such
determinations to be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution), (iii)
reasonable and customary regular compensation and fees to directors of the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary, (iv) loans or advances to Affiliates of the
Company that are employees of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million
at any one time outstanding, (v) payments of salary, bonus and other ordinary
compensation in the ordinary course of business, to Affiliates of the Company
that are employees provided that such payments shall not exceed US$2.0 million
in the aggregate in any fiscal year and (vi) any distribution to stockholders,
as stockholders, permitted by Section 10.11.
11
"FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to any security, asset or property,
the sale value that would be obtained in an arm's-length transaction between an
informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and
willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. Fair Market Value shall be determined
by the Board of Directors of the relevant Person acting in good faith, whose
determination shall be conclusive and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.
"FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY CODE" means the Bankruptcy Act of Title 11 of the
United States Code, as amended from time to time.
"FIXED CHARGES" means, for any period, the sum of (a) the Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period, (b) all interest on any Indebtedness of any
other Person guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
and (c) all cash dividend payments (and non-cash dividend payments in the case
of any Restricted Subsidiary) on any series of preferred stock of the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance
with GAAP.
"GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES" or "GAAP" means generally
accepted accounting principles in Argentina, consistently applied, that are in
effect from time to time. If any financial term is not addressed or identified
under GAAP, such term will be interpreted in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles in effect at the time.
"GLOBAL SENIOR NOTE" means either of the U.S. Global Senior Note or the
Offshore Global Senior Note.
"GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY" means any public legal entity or public agency of
Argentina or the United States, whether created by federal, state or local
government, or any other legal entity now existing or hereafter created, or now
or hereafter owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any public legal
entity or public agency of Argentina or the United States.
"GUARANTEE" means, as applied to any obligation, (a) a guarantee (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of
such obligation and (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or
any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the
payment of amounts drawn down under letters of credit. When used as a verb,
"guarantee" shall have a corresponding meaning.
"GUARANTEED DEBT" of any Person means, without duplication, all
Indebtedness of any other Person referred to in the definition of Indebtedness
guaranteed directly or indirectly in any manner by such Person, or in effect
guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person through an agreement (i) to pay
or purchase such Indebtedness or to advance or supply funds for the payment or
purchase of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or
lessor) property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the
12
purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness or to assure
the holder of such Indebtedness against loss, (iii) to supply funds to, or in
any other manner invest in, the debtor (including any agreement to pay for
property or services to be acquired by such debtor irrespective of whether such
property is received or such services are rendered), (iv) to maintain working
capital or equity capital of the debtor, or otherwise to maintain the net worth,
solvency or other financial condition of the debtor or (v) otherwise to assure a
creditor against loss; provided that the term "GUARANTEE" shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of
business, or any obligation or liability of such Person in respect of leasehold
interests assigned by such Person to any other Person.
"GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" means the principal of, premium, if any, interest
on, and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any, and all other amounts
owing by the Company with respect to (including its obligations to the Trustee
under Section 6.06 and Section 10.09 of this Indenture) the Senior Notes which
may from time to time be issued and outstanding under this Indenture and all
other indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Company at any time and
from time to time existing or arising under this Indenture.
"GUARANTEED PARTIES" means all the persons who are now or who hereafter
become Holders and the Trustee under this Indenture.
"HEDGING OBLIGATIONS" of any Person means the obligations of such person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.
"HOLDER" or "HOLDER" means a Person in whose name a Senior Note is
registered in the Note Register.
"INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a)
all liabilities of such Person for borrowed money (including overdrafts) or for
the deferred purchase price of property or services, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, Senior Notes, debentures or other similar
instruments, (c) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property
acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller or lender
under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale
of such property), but excluding trade payables arising in the ordinary course
of business, (d) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (e) all
obligations of such Person under or in respect of Interest Rate Agreements or
Currency Agreements, (f) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not excluded from)
the preceding clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons, the
payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has
an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or
with respect to property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract
rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become
liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (the amount of such obligation being
deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or asset or the amount of
the obligation so secured), (g) all Guaranteed Debt of such Person, and (h) all
Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person valued at the greater of its voluntary
or
13
involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
For purposes hereof, the "MAXIMUM FIXED REPURCHASE PRICE" of any Redeemable
Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated
in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Stock as if such
Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall
be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is
based upon, or measured by, the Fair Market Value of such Redeemable Capital
Stock, such fair market value shall be determined in good faith by the board of
directors of the issuer of such Redeemable Capital Stock. Indebtedness shall
exclude any liability for taxes and any accounts payable and other indebtedness
and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with
the acquisition of goods and services but shall include, without limitation, all
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in connection with any
letters of credit and acceptances issued under letter of credit facilities,
acceptance facilities or other similar facilities (other than obligations with
respect to trade letters of credit, acceptances or the like securing obligations
entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person for the import of
equipment used in the business of such Person or inventory for sale to customers
to the extent such letters of credit, acceptances or the like are not drawn upon
or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed to the lender no
later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand
for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit, acceptance or the
like by such lender).
"INDENTURE" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof
"INDENTURE OBLIGATIONS" means the obligations of the Company and any other
obligor under this Indenture or under the Senior Notes, including each
Subsidiary Guarantor, to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
Senior Notes (and any Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages thereon) when due
and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or
repurchase or otherwise, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in
connection with this Indenture, the Senior Notes or the Guarantees and the
performance of all other obligations to the Trustee (including, but not limited
to, payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.06 and Section 10.09)
and the Holders of the Senior Notes under this Indenture, the Senior Notes and
the Guarantees, according to the terms thereof.
"INITIAL PURCHASER" means SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc., as purchaser of the
Series A Senior Notes.
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means the Stated Maturity of an installment of
interest on the Senior Notes.
"INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS" means any interest rate protection agreements
and other types of interest rate hedging agreements (including, without
limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements)
designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in interest
rates.
14
"INVESTMENT" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
advance, loan or other extension of credit (including by way of guarantee) or
capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to
others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase, acquisition or ownership by such Person of any Capital
Stock, bonds, Senior Notes, debentures or other securities or evidences of
Indebtedness issued or owned by, any other Person and all other items that would
be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
GAAP. In addition, the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Restricted
Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an "INVESTMENT" made by the
Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time. "INVESTMENTS" shall
exclude extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in
accordance with normal trade practices and guarantees of Indebtedness that are
permitted under Section 10.10 hereof.
"LIEN" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise),
privilege, security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or
preference or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property
of any kind, real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter
acquired. A Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which
such Person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.
"LIQUIDATED DAMAGES" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to
Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇" or "COMPANY" means the Person named as the "COMPANY" in the
first paragraph of this Indenture, until a successor Person shall have become
such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"COMPANY" shall mean such successor Person.
"MATURITY" means, with respect to any Senior Note, the date on which any
principal of such Senior Note becomes due and payable as therein provided or as
provided in this Indenture, whether at the Stated Maturity with respect to such
principal or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or purchase or
otherwise (including pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Excess Proceeds
Offer).
"MOODY'S" means ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"ARGENTINE NEGOTIABLE OBLIGATIONS LAW" means Argentine Law No. 23,576, as
amended.
"NET CASH PROCEEDS" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock or other
assets when disposed of for, cash or Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that
such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary), net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and
expenses (including fees and expenses of legal counsel
15
and investment banks) related to such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes
payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii) payments made to retire
Indebtedness where payment of such Indebtedness is secured by the assets or
properties the subject of such Asset Sale, (iv) amounts required to be paid to
any Person (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) owning a
beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale and (v) appropriate
amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, as a reserve, whether or not required by GAAP, against any liabilities
associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including, without
limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities
related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification
obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an officer's
certificate delivered to the Trustee.
"NON-RECOURSE DEBT" means Indebtedness as to which neither the Company nor
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Securitization Subsidiary)
(a) provides direct credit support (including any undertaking, agreement or
instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), or (b) is directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor or otherwise) (other than the Securitization Subsidiary).
"NON-RECOURSE PURCHASE MONEY INDEBTEDNESS" means Purchase Money
Indebtedness to the extent that such Indebtedness is non-recourse to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets other
than the assets financed with the proceeds thereof.
"NON-U.S. PERSON" means a person who is not a U.S. person as defined in
Regulation S.
"NOTE REGISTER" has the meaning specified in Section 3.05.
"OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means a certificate signed by the President or a
Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.
"OFFSHORE SENIOR NOTE RESTRICTED PERIOD" has the meaning specified in
Section 2.02.
"OPINION OF COUNSEL" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Company, including an employee of the Company, and who shall be
acceptable to the Trustee.
"ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE" means the date of original issuance of the Senior
Notes.
"OUTSTANDING", when used with respect to the Senior Notes, means, as of the
date of determination, all Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered
under this Indenture, except:
(i) Senior Notes theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation;
16
(ii) Senior Notes, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption
money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the
Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside
and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own
Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Senior Notes; provided that, if such
Senior Notes are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly
given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the
Trustee has been made;
(iii) Senior Notes, except to the extent provided in Sections 13.02 and
13.03, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or
covenant defeasance as provided in Article Thirteen; and
(iv) Senior Notes which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.10 or in
exchange for or in lieu of which other Senior Notes have been authenticated
and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Senior Notes
in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof
satisfactory to it that such Senior Notes are held by a bona fide purchaser
in whose hands the Senior Notes are valid obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of Outstanding Senior Notes have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, consent, notice or waiver hereunder, and for the
purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, Senior Notes
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes or any Affiliate
of the Company or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Senior Notes which a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing when it repurchases
or otherwise acquires Senior Notes, of the aggregate principal amount of such
Senior Notes so repurchased or otherwise acquired.
"PAYING AGENT" means the Person named as Paying Agent in the first
paragraph of this Indenture, any successor thereof, and any Person authorized by
the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Senior Notes on behalf of
the Company, including the Principal Paying Agent.
"PARI PASSU INDEBTEDNESS" means (a) with respect to the Senior Notes,
Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Senior Notes, and
(b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantee, Indebtedness which ranks pari
passu in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantee.
"PERMITTED HOLDERS" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and their respective Permitted Transferees.
"PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS" means any of the following:
17
(a) Indebtedness of the Company under any revolving line of credit in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the greater of
(I) US$15 million (or to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar
Equivalent of such amount) and (II) the excess of (x) the higher of (1) 50% of
the net book value of accounts receivable or (2) 100% of the net book value of
export third-party receivables on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP
over (y) the US Dollar Equivalent of the amount of financing outstanding under
any Permitted Receivables Financing;
(b) Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to the Senior Notes;
(c) Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the Original Issue Date (any
such Indebtedness the principal amount of which is in excess of US$1 million
(or, to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such
amount) being listed on a schedule thereto);
(d) Indebtedness of the Company owing to any wholly owned Restricted
Subsidiary other than a Securitization Subsidiary; provided that any
Indebtedness of the Company owing to any such Restricted Subsidiary is made
pursuant to an intercompany note and is subordinated in right of payment from
and after such time as the Senior Notes shall become due and payable (whether at
Stated Maturity, acceleration or otherwise) to the payment and performance of
the Company's obligations under the Senior Notes; provided further that (i) any
disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person (other than
a disposition, pledge or transfer to the Company, another wholly owned
Restricted Subsidiary other than a Securitization Subsidiary) or (2) or such
Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary (by way of designation or the
subsequent issuance (other than directors' qualifying shares), sale, transfer or
other disposition of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any
such Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary), shall be deemed to be an incurrence
of such Indebtedness by the Company not permitted by this clause (d);
(e) Indebtedness of the Company under Interest Rate Agreements relating to
Indebtedness of the Company otherwise permitted under the Indenture that are
entered into for the purpose of protecting against fluctuations in interest
rates in respect of such Indebtedness and not for speculative purposes;
(f) Indebtedness of the Company under Currency Agreements, provided that
(x) such Currency Agreements relate to Indebtedness otherwise permitted under
the Indenture or the purchase price of goods purchased or sold by the Company in
the ordinary course of its business and (y) such Currency Agreements do not
increase the Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company outstanding other
than as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason
of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder;
(g) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
incurred in respect of bankers' acceptances and letters of credit provided in
the ordinary course of business, provided that the aggregate principal amount of
all indebtedness
18
incurred pursuant to this clause does not exceed US$10 million outstanding at
any one time.
(h) Indebtedness of the Company in respect of performance, surety or appeal
bonds provided in the ordinary course of business (in each case other than for
an obligation for borrowed money);
(i) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness which serves to refund,
refinance or replace (each such incurrence, for purposes of this clause, a
"refinancing"), or successively refinance, any Indebtedness incurred by the
Company as permitted under paragraph (a) of Section 10.10 hereof (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) and clauses (b) and (c) above or any Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary incurred as permitted under the definition of "Permitted
Subsidiary Indebtedness" (other than Indebtedness under clause (b) of such
definition), so long as (i) any such new Indebtedness shall be in a principal
amount that does not exceed the principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness being
refinanced provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be
due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount
as of the date of determination) so refinanced, (ii) in the case of any
refinancing of Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, such new
Indebtedness is (A) in the case of any refinancing of the Senior Notes or Pari
Passu Indebtedness, expressly made pari passu with or subordinate in right of
payment to the Senior Notes and (B) in the case of any refinancing of
Subordinated Indebtedness, made subordinate to the Senior Notes at least to the
same extent as the Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced and (iii) such new
Indebtedness has an Average Life longer than the Average Life of the
Indebtedness being refinanced and a final Stated Maturity later than the final
Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(j) to the extent considered Indebtedness, contractual obligations of the
Company arising under any Permitted Receivables Financing as permitted by the
Indenture;
(k) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an
aggregate principal amount not in excess of 10% of the Company's Consolidated
Net Worth (or, to the extent non-US dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent
of such amount) at any one time outstanding;
(l) Indebtedness of the Company, any portion of which is guaranteed by any
export credit agency, in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of US$20
million at any time outstanding (or, to the extent non-U.S. dollar denominated,
the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such amount);
(m) Indebtedness in respect of Non-Recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness
incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(n) Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness.
"PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means any Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any of the following:
19
(a) Cash Equivalents;
(b) the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or, to the extent required in
connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing, a Securitization Subsidiary
(provided that the aggregate amount of Investments made in reliance on clause
(b) or (c) of this definition in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a
Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed US$10,000,000 and provided further that
the first US$5,000,000 of Investments made in Leitesol S.A. after it becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded in determining compliance with the
foregoing U.S. $10,000,000 limitation);
(c) another Person, if as a result of such investment (i) such other Person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) such other Person is merged or
consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of
its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if, prior
to such Investment, such Person is an Affiliate of the Company, after giving
effect to such Investment, the Company could incur at least a US$1.00 of
additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section
10.10 hereof (provided that Investments made in reliance on clause (b) or (c) of
this definition in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor
shall not exceed US$10,000,000 and provided further that the first US$5,000,000
of Investments made in Leitesol S.A. after it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
shall be excluded in determining compliance with the foregoing U.S. $10,000,000
limitation);
(d) loans or advances made to employees or any directors of the Company who
are not Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary
course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$1 million (or, to the
extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) at
any one time outstanding;
(e) Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements which constitute
Permitted Indebtedness or Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness;
(f) an amount not to exceed US$5 million (or, to the extent non-US Dollar
denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) at any one time
outstanding invested in any business reasonably related to the business of the
Company on the Original Issue Date;
(g) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes
receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary
course of business;
(h) pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of
social security;
(i) pledges or deposits in connection with (i) the non-delinquent
performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases or
statutory obligations, (ii) contingent obligations on surety or appeal bonds,
and (iii) other non-delinquent obligations of a like nature, in each case
incurred in the ordinary course of business;
20
(j) customary Investments required by the terms of any Permitted
Receivables Financing to the extent such Investments are made in the ordinary
course and pursuant to ordinary business terms relating to transactions of such
nature and do not exceed US$1 million in the aggregate;
(k) Investments consisting of non-cash consideration received in the form
of securities, notes or similar obligations in connection with an Asset Sale
permitted by Section 10.17 hereof, provided that the aggregate amount of such
non-cash consideration received in connection with any such Asset Sale shall not
exceed the amount permitted under Section 10.17 hereof;
(l) an amount not to exceed US$5.0 million (or, to the extent non-US Dollar
denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) at any one time
outstanding; and
(m) an amount not to exceed US$5.0 million at any one time outstanding in
respect of advances, loans or extensions of credit in the ordinary course of
business to suppliers to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
"PERMITTED LIENS" means the following types of Liens:
(a) Liens existing as of the Original Issue Date;
(b) Liens on property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
securing Indebtedness and all other obligations under any revolving line of
credit referred to in clause (a) of the definition of "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS"
or under Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements which constitute
Permitted Indebtedness or Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness;
(c) Liens on any property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted in
favor of the Company or any wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary;
(d) Liens on any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary securing the Senior Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees;
(e) Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness, provided, that such Liens
extend only to the property being acquired and such Lien is created within 90
days of the purchase of such property;
(f) statutory Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and with respect
to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceeding, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(g) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or claims that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently
21
conducted and if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(h) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar charges or
encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of
business;
(i) Liens arising out of judgments or orders that have been adequately
bonded or with respect to which a stay of execution (or the equivalent thereof
under Argentine law) has been obtained pending an appeal or proceeding for
review;
(j) Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness created prior to (and not in
connection with or in contemplation of) the incurrence of such Indebtedness by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such Lien does not
extend to any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
other than the assets acquired in connection with the incurrence of such
Acquired Indebtedness;
(k) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of
social security;
(l) Liens securing reimbursement obligations of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents
and other property relating to such letters of credit and the products and
proceeds thereof;
(m) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders,
bids, leases, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
contracts (other than for Indebtedness), performance and return-of-money bonds
and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of
business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(n) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter
of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of
goods;
(o) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory provision relating to
banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit
accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution,
provided, however, that such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral
account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(p) to the extent considered giving rise to Liens on the assets of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, Liens on Receivables and Related Assets
incurred in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing;
(q) Liens on Capital Stock of Promas S.A. securing amounts owed to the
Argentine Government in respect of taxes the payment of which has been deferred
pursuant to an agricultural incentive program to fund a portion of the Company's
investment in Promas S.A.; and
22
(r) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of any Lien
described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (p); provided that any such
extension, renewal or replacement shall be no more restrictive in any material
respect than the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced and shall not extend to
any additional property or assets.
"PERMITTED RECEIVABLES FINANCING" means a transaction or series of
transactions (including amendments, supplements, extensions, renewals,
replacements, refinancings or modifications thereof) designed to afford the
Company a source of working capital liquidity pursuant to which (a) a
Securitization Subsidiary purchases Receivables and Related Assets from the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and finances such Receivables and Related
Assets through the issuance of indebtedness or equity interests or through the
sale of the Receivables and Related Assets or a fractional undivided interest
therein or (b) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary finances Receivables and
Related Assets through the sale of the Receivables and Related Assets or
fractional undivided interests therein; provided that (i) the documentation in
respect of such Permitted Receivables Financing shall not provide for financing
of more than the US Dollar Equivalent of US$15,000,000, (ii) the Board of
Directors shall have determined in good faith that such Permitted Receivables
Financing is economically fair and reasonable to the Company, (iii) all sales of
Receivables and Related Assets or fractional undivided interests therein, if
any, are made at Fair Market Value, which shall be an amount not less than 85%
of the aggregate face amount of the Receivables and Related Assets or fractional
undivided interests therein sold, provided that if Receivables and Related
Assets or fractional undivided interests therein are sold in connection with a
Permitted Receivables Financing for less than 85% of their aggregate face
amount, the foregoing 85% limit will not apply so long as the Company obtains a
written opinion from an investment banking firm recognized in Argentina or an
accounting firm, in each case unaffiliated with the Company, to the effect that
such sale is at least at fair market value, (iv) the financing terms, covenants,
termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors), (v) no portion of any
Indebtedness of a Securitization Subsidiary is Indebtedness other than
Non-Recourse Debt (other than recourse for customary representations,
warranties, covenants and indemnities, none of which shall relate to the
collectibility of the Receivables and Related Assets) and (vi) neither the
Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than such Securitization
Subsidiary) has any obligation to maintain or preserve the Securitization
Subsidiary's financial condition or cause the Securitization Subsidiary to
achieve certain levels of operating results.
"PERMITTED SUBSIDIARY INDEBTEDNESS" means any of the following:
(a) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Original
Issue Date (any such Indebtedness the principal amount of which is in excess of
US$1,000,000 (or to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar
Equivalent of such amount) being listed on a schedule thereto);
(b) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary (in the case of a
Securitization Subsidiary, solely to the extent such Indebtedness is incurred
pursuant to a Permitted
23
Receivables Financing) owing to the Company, or a wholly owned Restricted
Subsidiary other than a Securitization Subsidiary; provided that any such
Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note; provided further that any
disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person (other than
a disposition, pledge or transfer to the Company or a wholly owned Restricted
Subsidiary other than a Securitization Subsidiary), shall be deemed to be an
incurrence of such Indebtedness by such Restricted Subsidiary not permitted by
this clause (b);
(c) Indebtedness (including guarantees) of a Restricted Subsidiary under
Interest Rate Agreements relating to Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary
otherwise permitted under the Indenture that are entered into for the purpose of
protecting against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of such
Indebtedness and not for speculative purposes;
(d) Indebtedness (including guarantees) of a Restricted Subsidiary under
Currency Agreements, provided that (x) such Currency Agreements relate to
Indebtedness otherwise permitted under the Indenture or the purchase price of
goods purchased or sold by such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
its business and (y) such Currency Agreements do not increase the Indebtedness
or other obligations of such Restricted Subsidiary outstanding other than as a
result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees,
indemnities and compensation payable thereunder;
(e) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee
of the Senior Notes;
(f) guarantees by any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness incurred by the
Company in compliance with (i) paragraph (a) of Section 10.10 hereof (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) or (ii) clause (a) or (k) of the definition of
"Permitted Indebtedness" to the extent the obligations of such Subsidiary
Guarantor under such guarantees are pari passu with the Subsidiary Guarantee of
such Subsidiary Guarantor;
(g) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of performance,
surety or appeal bonds incurred in the ordinary course of business (in each case
other than for an obligation for borrowed money);
(h) the incurrence by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness which serves
to refund, refinance or replace (each such incurrence, for purposes of this
clause, a "refinancing"), or successively refinances any Indebtedness incurred
as permitted under clauses (a), (f) or (k), so long as (i) any such new
Indebtedness shall be in a principal amount that does not exceed the principal
amount (or, if such Indebtedness being refinanced provides for an amount less
than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination) so
refinanced, (ii) in the case of any refinancing of any Subsidiary Guarantee, any
Pari Passu Indebtedness or any Subordinated Indebtedness of such Restricted
Subsidiary, such new Indebtedness is (A) in the case of any refinancing of the
Subsidiary Guarantee or Pari Passu Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary,
expressly
24
made pari passu with or subordinate in right of payment to the Subsidiary
Guarantee, and (B) in the case of any refinancing of Subordinated Indebtedness,
made subordinate to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary at
least to the same extent as the Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced and
(iii) such new Indebtedness has an Average Life longer than the Average Life of
the Indebtedness being refinanced and a final Stated Maturity later than the
final Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(i) the incurrence of Indebtedness in a Permitted Receivables Financing;
and
(j) Acquired Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that after
giving effect to the incurrence thereof, the Company could incur at least $1.00
of Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of Section 10.10 hereof (other than
Permitted Indebtedness).
"PERMITTED TRANSFEREES" means, with respect to any Person: (i) in the case
of any Person who is a natural person, such individual's spouse or children
(natural or adopted), any trust for such individual's benefit or the benefit of
such individual's spouse or children (natural or adopted), or any corporation or
partnership all of the direct and beneficial equity ownership of which is held
by one or more Permitted Holders; (ii) in the case of any Person who is a
natural person, the heirs, executors, administrators or personal representatives
upon the death of such Person or upon the incompetency or disability of such
Person for purposes of the protection and management of such individual's
assets; and (iii) in the case of any Person who is not a natural person, any
Affiliate of such Person.
"PERSON" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof or any other entity.
"PERSONAL ASSET TAXES" means taxes imposed pursuant to the Personal Asset
Tax Law of Argentina No. 23,966, as amended from time to time, and as modified
by governmental decree or otherwise.
"PREDECESSOR SENIOR NOTE" of any particular Senior Note means every
previous Senior Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that
evidenced by such particular Senior Note; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Senior Note authenticated and delivered under Section 3.11 in
exchange for a mutilated security or in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen
Senior Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost,
destroyed or stolen Senior Note.
"PREFERRED STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such
Person's preferred or preference stock whether now outstanding, or issued after
the Original Issue Date, and including, without limitation, all classes and
series of preferred or preference stock of such Person.
25
"PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT" means the Person named as the "PRINCIPAL PAYING
AGENT" in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and any successor Principal
Paying Agent.
"PRIVATE PLACEMENT LEGEND" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" means the purchase agreement dated March 26, 1998
between the Company and the Initial Purchaser.
"PURCHASE MONEY INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred (a) to finance the purchase of any assets
of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries within 90 days of such
purchase, (b) to the extent the amount of Indebtedness thereunder does not
exceed 100% of the purchase cost of such assets, (c) to the extent the purchase
cost of such assets is or should be included in "additions to property, plant
and equipment" in accordance with GAAP, and (d) to the extent the purchase of
such assets is not part of an acquisition of any Person.
"QIB" means a "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" under Rule 144A.
"QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" of any person means any and all Capital Stock of
such person other than Redeemable Capital Stock.
"QUALIFIED EQUITY OFFERING" means an offer and sale of common stock (which
is Qualified Capital Stock) or American Depositary Shares of the Company
pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act (other than a registration statement
on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any
employee benefit plan of the Company) that results in at least 20% of the total
voting power of all Voting Stock of the Company having been sold to the public,
provided that at least US$50 million in aggregate offering price of the shares
or American Depositary Shares of the Company are listed and quoted on the NASDAQ
National Market or on a U.S. national stock exchange.
"RECEIVABLES AND RELATED ASSETS" mean accounts receivable and instruments,
chattel paper, obligations, general intangibles and other similar assets, in
each case, relating to such receivables, including interest in merchandise or
goods, the sale or lease of which gave rise to such receivables, related
contractual rights, guarantees, insurance proceeds, collections, other related
assets and proceeds of all of the foregoing.
"REDEEMABLE CAPITAL STOCK" means any class or series of Capital Stock that,
either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an
event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior to one year
after the final Stated Maturity of the Senior Notes or is redeemable at the
option of the holder thereof at any time prior to one year after such final
Stated Maturity, or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at
any time prior to one year after such final Stated Maturity.
26
"REDEMPTION DATE", when used with respect to any Senior Note to be
redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or
pursuant to this Indenture.
"REDEMPTION PRICE", when used with respect to any Senior Note to be
redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"REGISTRAR" means Banco Rio de la Plata S.A., until a successor Registrar
shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture,
and, thereafter, "REGISTRAR" shall mean such successor Registrar.
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration Rights Agreement
dated as of the Original Issue Date by and between the Company, on the one hand,
and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, providing for certain registration
rights for the Senior Notes.
"REGULAR RECORD DATE" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case
may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"REGULATION S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
"RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE" means the date which is two years (or
such other time as permitted under Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act or any
successor thereto) after the later of the Original Issue Date and the last date
on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such
Senior Notes (or any Predecessor Senior Note).
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means, when used with respect to the Trustee, (a) any
officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee including any vice
president, assistant vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, trust
officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions
similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such
officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of such person's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject and (b) who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of
this Indenture.
"RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the
Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"RULE 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
"SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTION" means any transaction or series of related
transactions pursuant to which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary sells or
transfers any property or asset in connection with the leasing, or the resale
against installment payments, of such property or asset to the seller or
transferor.
27
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Companies, Inc. and its successors.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to
time, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
"SECURITIZATION SUBSIDIARY" means a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company
(a) that is designated (as set forth below) as a "SECURITIZATION SUBSIDIARY" by
the Board of Directors of the Company, (b) that does not engage in, and whose
charter prohibits it from engaging in, any activities other than Permitted
Receivables Financings, (c) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other
obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) is recourse to or
obligates the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any
way other than pursuant to customary representations, warranties, covenants and
indemnities entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing or
(iii) subjects any property or asset of the Company br any other Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to
the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to customary representations,
warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in connection with a
Permitted Receivables Financing, (d) with which neither the Company nor any
other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any material contract, agreement,
arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from
Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company and (e) with respect to which
neither the Company nor any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any
obligation to maintain or preserve such Securitization Subsidiary's financial
condition or cause such Securitization Subsidiary to achieve certain levels of
operating results. Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company
shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of
the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such
designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing conditions.
"SENIOR NOTES" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this
Indenture and more particularly means any Senior Notes authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture.
"SERIES A SENIOR NOTES" means the Company's 11 3/4% Series A Senior Notes
due 2008, issued under the Indenture on the Original Issue Date.
"SERIES B SENIOR NOTES" means the Company's 11 3/4% Series B Senior Notes
due 2008 to be issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
"SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
"SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on
the Original
28
Issue Date, except all references to "10 percent" in such definition shall be
changed to "3 percent".
"SPECIAL RECORD DATE" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.12.
"STATED MATURITY" means, when used with respect to any Senior Note or any
installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Senior Note as the
fixed date on which the principal of such Senior Note or such installment of
interest is due and payable, and, when used with respect to any other
Indebtedness, means the date specified in the instrument governing such
Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or
any installment of interest thereon, is due and payable.
"SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" means (i) when used with respect to the
Company, Indebtedness of the Company that is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the Senior Notes and (ii) when used with respect to any Restricted
Subsidiary, Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is expressly
subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary's Guarantee.
"SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any specific Person, another Person a
majority of the equity ownership or Voting Stock of which is at the time owned,
directly or indirectly, by such specified Person or by one or more other
Subsidiaries of such specified Person or by such specified Person and one or
more other Subsidiaries of such specified Person or which is otherwise
controlled by such specified Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such
specified Person or by such specified Person and one or more other Subsidiaries
of such specified Person.
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means any Restricted Subsidiary that has (i) been
designated as a "Subsidiary Guarantor" of the Senior Notes under the Indenture
by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, (ii) executed and
delivered to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to such Trustee pursuant to which such Restricted
Subsidiary shall have to agree to guarantee all of the obligations of the
Company with respect to the Senior Notes issued under such Indenture on a senior
unsecured basis and (iii) delivered to such Trustee an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such Trustee to the effect that such supplemental
indenture has been duly executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and
is in compliance with the terms of the Indenture.
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE" means the guarantee by the Company's existing or
future direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiaries of the obligations of the
Company under the Indenture and the Senior Notes in accordance with the
provisions of the Indenture.
"SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE" means the committee of statutory auditors appointed
by the shareholders of the Company.
"TAXES" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
29
"TRUST INDENTURE ACT" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, as in force at the date of the Indenture.
"TRUSTEE" means the Person named as the "TRUSTEE" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "TRUSTEE" shall mean
such successor Trustee.
"UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means (a) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of
the Company that at the time of determination shall be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary (as designated by the Board of Directors of the Company, as provided
below) and (b) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any direct or indirect
Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed
Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as (i) neither the Company
nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable for any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary, (ii) no default with respect to any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or
otherwise) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than the Senior Notes and guarantees thereof) to declare a
default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity, (iii) any Investment in
such Subsidiary made as a result of designating such Subsidiary an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will not violate the provisions of Section 10.11, (iv) neither the
Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has a contract, agreement, arrangement,
understanding or obligation of any kind, whether written or oral, with such
Subsidiary other than those that might be obtained at the time from persons who
are not Affiliates of the Company, and (v) neither the Company nor any
Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (1) to subscribe for additional shares
of Capital Stock or other equity interest in such Subsidiary, or (2) to maintain
or preserve such Subsidiary's financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to
achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board
of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing a board
resolution with the Trustee giving effect to such designation. The Board of
Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such designation,
there would be no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and the
Company could incur US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted
Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 10.10 hereof.
"US DOLLAR EQUIVALENT" means, with respect to any monetary amount in a
currency other than the US Dollar, at any time for the determination thereof,
the amount of US Dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved
in such computation into US Dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of US
Dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on the date not more than two Business
Days prior to the determination. For purposes of determining whether any
Indebtedness can be incurred (including Permitted Indebtedness), any Investment
can be made and any Affiliate Transaction can be undertaken (a "TESTED
TRANSACTION"), the "US DOLLAR EQUIVALENT" of such Indebtedness, Investment or
Affiliate Transaction shall be determined on the basis of the date incurred,
made or undertaken and no subsequent change in the US Dollar Equivalent
30
shall cause such Tested Transaction to have been incurred, made or undertaken in
violation of this Indenture.
"US DOLLARS", "UNITED STATES DOLLARS", "US$" and the symbol "$" each mean
dollars of the United States of America.
"U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
13.04(a).
"VICE PRESIDENT", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "VICE PRESIDENT".
"VOTING STOCK" means any class or classes of Capital Stock pursuant to
which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary
circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers
or trustees of any Person (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of
any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of
the happening of any contingency).
"WHOLLY OWNED" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person, that
all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other than a de minimis
number of director's qualifying shares or de minimis investments by
non-Argentine nationals mandated by applicable law) is owned by such Person or
one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
SECTION 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with which
constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except
that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing
of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture
relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or
opinion need be fiunished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 1.08)
shall include:
(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(b) 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;
31
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and
(d) 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.
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 other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
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, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are
erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel 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 stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.
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, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or of counsel may
be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or
opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the
employ of the Company, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be,
knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate
or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which
his certificate or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous.
All notices, reports, certificates and communications hereunder shall be
made in the English language or shall be accompanied by a certified English
translation thereof. Any certified English translation delivered hereunder shall
be a true and accurate translation by a professionally qualified translator or
by some other person qualified to do so.
32
SECTION 1.04. Acts of Holders.
(a) 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 agents 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,
where it is hereby expressly required, 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 conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.
(b) 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 of such execution or by a
certificate of a 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
a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of 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 that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The principal amount and serial numbers of Senior Notes held by any
Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Note Register.
(d) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Senior Notes any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act,
the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a 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 Act,
but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section
316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to
such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days
prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and
not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is
fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act 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 purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite
proportion of Outstanding Senior Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Senior Notes 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 eleven
months after the record date.
33
(e) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Senior Note shall bind every future Holder of
the same Senior Note and the Holder of every Senior Note issued upon the
registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in
respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the
Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon
such Senior Note.
SECTION 1.05. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Co-Registrar, Principal Paying
Agent and Company.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(a) the Trustee or Co-Registrar by any Holder or by the Company shall be
sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in
writing to or with the Trustee or Co-Registrar at its Corporate Trust Office,
currently located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ 21 West, New York, New York
10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or
(b) the Registrar shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made,
given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Registrar at its principal
office, currently located at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
Attention: Mario Ferarri, or
(c) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at its principal office at ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the
Trustee by the Company.
SECTION 1.06. Notice to Holders; Waivers.
Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall deemed to have been given (unless otherwise herein expressly
provided) (i) if in writing and mailed, registered or certified or first-class
mail postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as
it appears in the Note Register and any notice so mailed shall be deemed to have
been given on the date of such mailing, and (ii) upon publication in a widely
circulated newspaper in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in the Official Gazette of
Buenos Aires (Boletin Official de la Republica Argentina), Argentina and, for so
long as the Senior Notes are listed on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, in the
Bulletin of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange and any such notice shall be deemed
to have been given on the date of such mailing or, if published more than once
or on different dates, on the last date on which publication is required and
made as so required, in each case not later than the latest date and not earlier
than the earliest date prescribed hereunder for the giving of such notice and
additionally notified by the Company or by the Trustee at the written direction
of the Company in the manner and
34
within the terms established in the applicable Argentine regulations. 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 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 addition, the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be required to
cause all such other communications to the CNV and the BASE and all such other
publications of such notices as may be required from time to time by applicable
Argentine laws and regulations.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such
notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute
sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
SECTION 1.07. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 1.08. 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 1.09. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture
or in the Senior 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 1.10. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Senior Notes, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any
Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 1.11. Governing Law.
The Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law establishes the legal requirements
for the Senior Notes to qualify as "Obligaciones Negociables". The
authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Notes, the approval thereof
by the CNV for the public offering
35
of the Senior Notes in Argentina and certain matters relating to meetings of
holders of Senior Notes are governed by Argentine law. All other matters in
respect of the Senior Notes, this Indenture and any Subsidiary Guarantee will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
SECTION 1.12. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.
(a) The Company has, and any Subsidiary Guarantor shall have, irrevocably
consented to the jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or any
United States federal court sitting in the Borough of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, and any appellate court from any thereof, and has, to
the maximum extent permitted by law, waived any immunity from the jurisdiction
of such courts over any suit, action or proceeding that may be brought in
connection with the Indenture, the Senior Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees. The
Company agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding
brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company, as the
case may be, and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which the
Company, as the case may be, is subject by a suit upon such judgment; provided
that service of process is effected upon the Company in the manner provided by
this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any suit, action or proceeding
brought in connection with this Indenture or the Senior Notes may be instituted
in any competent court in Argentina.
(b) To the extent that the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may be
entitled to the benefit of any provision of law requiring the Trustee or any
Holder of the Senior Notes, in any suit, action or proceeding brought in a court
of Argentina or other jurisdiction arising out of or in connection with any of
this Indenture or the Senior Notes, to post security for litigation costs or
otherwise post a performance bond or guaranty ("CAUTIO JUDICATUM SOLVI" or
"EXCEPCION DE ARRAIGO"), or to take any similar action, the Company and any
Subsidiary Guarantor will waive such benefit, in each case to the fullest extent
permitted under the laws of Argentina or, as the case may be, such other
jurisdiction.
(c) The Company agrees that service of all writs, process and summonses in
any suit, action or proceeding brought in connection with this Indenture or the
Senior Notes against the Company, as the case may be, in any court of the State
of New York or any United States federal court sitting in the Borough of
Manhattan, New York City may be made upon CT Corporation System at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, whom each of the Company has, and any
Subsidiary Guarantor shall have, irrevocably appointed as its authorized agent
for service of process. The Company represents and warrants that CT Corporation
System has agreed to act as the agent for service of process for the Company.
The Company agrees that such appointment shall be irrevocable so long as any of
the Senior Notes remain outstanding or until the irrevocable appointment by the
Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, of a successor in The
City of New York as its authorized agent for such purpose and the acceptance of
such appointment by such successor. The Company further agrees to take any and
all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that
may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as
aforesaid. If CT Corporation
36
System shall cease to act as the agent for service of process for the Company,
the Company shall appoint without delay another such agent and provide prompt
written notice to the Trustee of such appointment. With respect to any such
action in any court of the State of New York or any United States federal court
in the Borough of Manhattan, New York City, service of process upon CT
Corporation System, as the authorized agent of the Company for service of
process, and written notice of such service to the Company shall be deemed, in
every respect, effective service of process upon the Company.
(d) Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of any party to serve
legal process in any other manner permitted by law or affect the right of any
party to bring any action or proceeding against any other party or its property
in the courts of other jurisdictions.
SECTION 1.13. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund
payment date or Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Senior Note shall not be a
Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of
the Senior Notes) payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest 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, Redemption
Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity;
provided that no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment on account
of such delay for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the
case may be.
SECTION 1.14. No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Shareholders,
Officers, Directors or Employees.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest or Liquidated Damages or Additional Amounts, if any, on any of the
Senior Notes or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and
no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company
in the Indenture, any supplemental indenture, or in any of the Senior Notes or
because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had
against any incorporator, shareholder, officer, director, employee or
controlling person of the Company or of any successor Person thereof, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any
amendment or penalty or otherwise. Each Holder, by accepting the Senior Notes,
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for issuance of the Senior Notes. Such waiver may not be effective
to waive liabilities under Article 34 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations
Law, Article 34 of Law No. 19,550, as amended, and other Argentine regulations
or under the U.S. federal securities laws and it is the view of the Commission
that such a waiver is against public policy.
37
ARTICLE 2
NOTE FORMS
SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally.
The Company agrees to cause the Senior Notes to comply with Article 7 of
the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law.
The Senior Notes shall be known as the "Series A 11 3/4% Senior Notes due
2008" and the "Series B 11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008," as the case may be, of
the Company. The Senior Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, with such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are
required by law or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed
thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange
or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such
Senior Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Senior Notes. Any portion
of the text of any Senior Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an
appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Senior Note.
The definitive Senior Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on
steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the
rules under any applicable securities laws or of any securities exchange on
which the Senior Notes may be listed and subject to the prior approval of the
CNV where applicable, all as determined by the directors and members of the
Supervisory Committee of the Company executing such Senior Notes, as evidenced
by their execution of such Senior Notes.
Senior Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A may be
issued in the form of a single permanent global Senior Note substantially in the
form set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05 (the "U.S. GLOBAL SENIOR NOTE")
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, registered in the
name of a nominee of the Depositary and duly executed by the Company and
authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal
amount of the U.S. Global Senior Note may from time to time be increased or
decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for
the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Senior Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued in the form of a single permanent global Senior
Note in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Sections 2.04 and
2.05 (the "OFFSHORE GLOBAL SENIOR NOTE") deposited with the Trustee, as
custodian for the Depositary, registered in the name of a nominee of the
Depositary duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Offshore
Global Senior Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by
adjustments made in the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary
or its nominee, as herein provided.
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Senior Notes issued pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 3.07 in exchange for or
upon transfer of beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Senior Note or the
Offshore Global Senior Note shall be in the form of permanent certificated
Senior Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Sections
2.04 and 2.05 (the "U.S. PHYSICAL SENIOR NOTES") or in the form of permanent
certificated Senior Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth
in Sections 2.04 and 2.05 (the "OFFSHORE PHYSICAL SENIOR NOTES"), respectively,
as hereinafter provided.
The Offshore Physical Senior Notes and the U.S. Physical Senior Notes are
sometimes collectively herein referred to as the "PHYSICAL SENIOR NOTES". The
U.S. Global Senior Note and the Offshore Global Senior Note are sometimes
collectively referred to as the "GLOBAL SENIOR NOTES." The Offshore Global
Senior Note and the Offshore Physical Senior Notes are sometimes collectively
referred to as the "OFFSHORE SENIOR NOTES".
During the Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period (as defined in Section
2.02 below), beneficial interests in the Offshore Global Senior Note may be held
only through Euroclear or Cedel Bank.
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends.
During the period beginning on the later of the Original Issue Date and the
last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of
a Senior Note (or any Predecessor Senior Note) and ending on the date two years
(or such other period of time as may be permitted by Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act or any successor provision thereunder) from the later of such
dates, the U.S. Global Senior Note and each U.S. Physical Senior Note shall bear
the following legend set forth below (the "PRIVATE PLACEMENT LEGEND") on the
face thereof. The Offshore Physical Senior Notes and Offshore Global Senior Note
shall bear the Private Placement Legend on the face thereof during the period
ending on the 41st day after the Original Issue Date (or, if later, and if the
Company so notifies the Trustee, during the period ending on the 41st day after
the date on which the offering of the Senior Notes commenced) (in either case,
the "OFFSHORE SENIOR NOTE RESTRICTED PERIOD"):
THIS SENIOR NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND ACCORDINGLY MAY NOT BE OFFERED
OR SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION
HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER OR ACQUIROR (1)
REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN
RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT, IF THIS NOTE IS THE
OFFSHORE GLOBAL SENIOR NOTE (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE), A U.S. PERSON
WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES FOR
THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER
THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL
39
INTEREST HEREIN EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND, PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD APPLICABLE TO SALES OF THE SENIOR
NOTES UNDER RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR
PROVISION) (THE "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE"), ONLY (A) TO THE
COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME
EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER
IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN THE FORM OF
AN OFFSHORE SENIOR NOTE (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE) ONLY, PURSUANT TO AN
OFFER AND SALE TO A NON-U.S. PERSON THAT OCCURS IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED
BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE
EXEMPTION AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
NOTE OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY
TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE,
IF THIS IS A CERTIFICATED NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE BOX PROVIDED ON
THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SURRENDER
THIS NOTE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(D) OR (E) ABOVE PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION
TERMINATION DATE, THE HOLDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE COMPANY RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROPOSED
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION
NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Series B Senior Notes shall not bear the
Private Placement Legend.
Each Global Senior Note shall also bear the following legend on the face
thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
40
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 NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT
NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN
SECTIONS 3.06 AND 3.07 OF THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 2.03. Restrictions on Transfer of Interests in the Offshore Global
Senior Note During the Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period. During the
Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period, an owner of a beneficial interest in the
Offshore Global Senior Note may not transfer such interest to a transferee that
is a U.S. person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. person within the
meaning of Rule 902(o) of the Securities Act. During the Offshore Senior Note
Restricted Period, all beneficial interests in the Offshore Global Senior Note
shall be transferred only through Cedel or Euroclear, either directly if the
transferor and transferee are participants in such systems, or indirectly
through other organizations that are participants.
SECTION 2.04. Form of Face of Senior Note.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HERMANOS S.A.
(INCORPORATED IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
ON OCTOBER 22, 1973 WITH A TERM OF DURATION
EXPIRING ON NOVEMBER 5, 2060, AND REGISTERED WITH
THE PUBLIC REGISTRY OF COMMERCE ON MAY 17, 1976
UNDER NUMBER 1163, BOOK 85, VOLUME "A"
OF LOCAL BY-LAWS, AND WITH DOMICILE AT
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇)
11 3/4% Senior Note due 2008
No. _________ $_____________
[CUSIP] No. _________
[CINS] No.___________
41
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HERMANOS S.A., a sociedad anonima duly organized and existing
under the laws of the Republic of Argentina (herein called the "COMPANY", which
term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to ________________ or registered
assigns, the principal sum of _____________ US Dollars on April 1, 2008, at the
office or agency of the Company referred to below, and to pay interest thereon
on October 1, 1998 and semiannually thereafter, on April 1 and October 1 of each
year (each an "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE"), from the date of the original issuance
of the Senior Notes (the "ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE") or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, at the rate
of 11.75% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for,
and (to the extent lawful) to pay on demand interest on any overdue interest at
the rate borne by the Senior Notes from the date on which such overdue interest
becomes payable to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly
provided for. If this Note is a Series A Senior Note, whenever in this Note or
the Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of interest under
or with respect to any Note, such mention shall be deemed to include Liquidated
Damages payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement hereinafter
referred to. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for,
on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the
Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest, which shall be the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business
Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such
interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be
payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and such defaulted interest,
and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne
by the Senior Notes, may be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one
or more Predecessor Senior Notes) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Senior Notes not less
than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.
The principal of this Note (including any Additional Amounts under Section
10.01 of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and, if this Note is a Series A
Senior Note, any Liquidated Damages under Section 5 of the Registration Rights
Agreement hereinafter referred to) shall be payable at the Corporate Trust
Office of The Bank of New York in The City of New York and at the office of
Banco Rio de la Plata S.A. in the City of Buenos Aires and, subject to any
fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto, at the specified
offices of any other Paying Agents appointed by the Company. Payments of
principal of this Note shall be made against surrender of this Note. Payments in
respect of interest (including Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if
any) on each Interest Payment Date with respect to this Note will be made to the
Person in whose name such Note is registered on the Regular Record Date
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date by US Dollar check drawn on a
bank in The City of New York or, in case of the holder of at least US$1,000,000
principal amount of
42
Senior Notes, by wire transfer to a US Dollar account maintained by the payee
with a bank in the United States or in Argentina, provided that the registered
holder so elects by giving written notice to such effect designating such
account with appropriate wire transfer instructions, which is received by the
Principal Paying Agent no later than March 15 or September 15, as the case may
be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Unless such designation is
revoked, any such designation made by such Holder with respect to such Senior
Notes shall remain in effect with respect to any future payments with respect to
such Senior Notes payable to such Holder. The Company shall pay any
administrative costs imposed by banks in connection with making payments by wire
transfer.
This Note has been issued pursuant to resolutions of an extraordinary
meeting of stockholders of the Company adopted on August 28, 1997 and
resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted on September 29,
1997 and March 25, 1998.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been duly executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.
Dated: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ HERMANOS SOCIEDAD
ANONIMA
By
DIRECTOR
By
MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE
SECTION 2.05. Form of Reverse of Senior Note.
This Note is a negotiable obligation under the Argentine Negotiable
Obligations Law and is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company designated as its [Series A/Series B] 11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008
(herein called the "SENIOR NOTES"), limited (except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture referred to below) in aggregate principal amount to $225,000,000,
which may be issued under an indenture (herein called the "INDENTURE") dated as
of March 31, 1998 among the Company, and The Bank of New York, as trustee
(herein called the "TRUSTEE", which term includes any successor trustee under
the Indenture), Co-Registrar and Principal Paying Agent, and Banco Rio de la
Plata S.A., as Registrar and Paying Agent, to which Indenture and all indentures
43
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective
rights; limitations of rights, duties, obligations and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Senior Notes, and of the terms
upon which the Senior Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.
The Senior Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or
in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after April 1, 2003, and prior
to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, at the
following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus
accrued and unpaid interest, including Liquidated Damages and Additional
Amounts, if any, to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing April 1 of the years set forth below:
YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
---- ----------------
2003 105.875%
2004 103.917%
2005 101.958%
2006 and thereafter 100.000%
At any time on or prior to April 1, 2001, the Company may redeem up to 35%
of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes within 60 days
after any sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other
than Redeemable Capital Stock) of the Company with the net proceeds of such sale
at a redemption price equal to 111.75% of the principal amount thereof, together
with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on relevant
Interest Payment Dates), provided that no less than US$100 million aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Notes remains outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of any such redemption. Any such redemption shall be made on a pro
rata basis among all holders of Senior Notes.
If at any time after the Original Issue Date and prior to April 1, 2003 as
a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations or rulings
promulgated thereunder of Argentina or of any political subdivision thereof or
of any authority therein or thereof having power to tax or as a result of any
change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations
or rulings, including without limitation a holding of a court of competent
jurisdiction, which change, amendment, application or interpretation becomes
effective after the Original Issue Date (a "CHANGE IN LAW"), the Company becomes
obligated to pay any Additional Amounts (as hereinafter provided) or any taxes
imposed pursuant to the Personal Asset Tax Law of Argentina, as amended from
time to time, and as modified by governmental decree or otherwise ("PERSONAL
ASSET TAXES"), and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company taking
reasonable measures available to it, then the Senior Notes will be redeemable as
a whole (but not in part), at the option of the Company, at any time upon not
less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days' notice given to the
holders as provided in the Indenture at 111.75% of their principal amount
together with accrued interest thereon to the Redemption Date. The Company will
also pay to the holders on the Redemption Date any Additional Amounts which are
then payable. In order to effect such a redemption of the Senior Notes, the
Company will be required to deliver to the Trustee at least
44
forty-five (45) days prior to the Redemption Date an officer's certificate to
the effect that the Company's obligation to pay Additional Amounts or Personal
Asset Taxes, as the case may be, cannot be avoided by the Company taking
reasonable measures available to it and an opinion of independent legal counsel
of recognized standing to the effect that the Company has or will become
obligated to pay such Additional Amounts or Personal Asset Taxes, as the case
may be, as a result of such Change in Law as a result of such Change in Law. No
notice of redemption may be given earlier than sixty (60) days prior to the
earliest date on which the Company would be obligated to pay such Additional
Amounts or Personal Asset Taxes (as the case may be) were a payment in respect
of the Senior Notes then due.
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Holder of this Note may
require the Company, subject to certain limitations provided in the Indenture,
to repurchase this Note at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101 %
of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in
accordance with the Indenture.
In the case of any redemption of Senior Notes, interest installments whose
Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the
Holders of such Senior Notes, or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes, of record
at the close of business on the relevant Record Date referred to on the face
hereof. Senior Notes (or portions thereof) for whose redemption and payment
provision is made in accordance with the Indenture shall cease to bear interest
from and after the Redemption Date.
In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or Senior
Notes for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the
Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.
If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all
the Senior Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the
effect provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (a) the
entire indebtedness of the Company on this Note and (b) certain restrictive
covenants and the related Defaults and Events of Default, upon compliance by the
Company with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to
this Note.
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders under the Indenture at any time by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time Outstanding. The
Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Senior Notes, to waive
compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain
past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or
waiver by or on behalf of the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and of any
Note issued upon the registration of
45
transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation
of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of
the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any on this Note at
the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, or interest or
Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior Note and
remaining unclaimed for three years after such principal or interest or
Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any, has become due and payable
shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Senior Note
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, (i) in a newspaper published
in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of
general circulation in The Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, and (ii) in a
newspaper published in the Spanish language and of general circulation in
Argentina, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date
specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date
of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be
repaid to the Company.
If the due date for payment of any principal or interest in respect of any
Senior Note is not a Business Day at the place in which it is presented for
payment, the Holder thereof will not be entitled to payment of the amount due
until the next succeeding Business Day at such place and will not be entitled to
any further interest or other payment in respect of any such delay.
In the event of any foreign exchange restriction or prohibition in
Argentina, any and all payments in respect of the Senior Notes shall be made, to
the extent permitted by such restriction or prohibition, in US Dollars through
(i) the sale of Bonex or of any other public or private bond issued in US
Dollars in Argentina or (ii) any other legal mechanism for the acquisition of US
Dollars in any exchange market. All costs, including any taxes, relative to such
operations to obtain US Dollars shall be borne by the Company.
The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may at any time or from time to time
purchase Senior Notes in the open market, or by tender or by private agreement
at any price. Any purchase by tender shall be made available to all Holders of
Senior Notes alike. All Senior Notes so purchased may be held for the account of
the Company or may be resold by the Company or may be cancelled by the Company.
46
Unless otherwise required by law, all payments made by the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor will be made without withholding or deduction for or on
account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental
charges or penalties and interest related thereto ("TAXES") of whatever nature
imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within Argentina or any
authority therein or thereof or having power to tax. In the event any such Taxes
are so imposed on any payments made by the Company or any such Subsidiary
Guarantor, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will
pay such Additional Amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts
received by each Holder (including Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages)
after any withholding or deduction in respect of such Taxes shall equal the
respective amounts of principal, premium, if any, and interest that would have
been received in respect of the Senior Notes in the absence of such withholding
or deduction; except that no such Additional Amounts will be payable with
respect to any withholding or deduction in respect of any payment under a Senior
Note or a Subsidiary Guarantee to, or to a third party on behalf of, a Holder
for or on account of any such Taxes imposed by reason of (i) the Holder being a
resident of Argentina or having some connection with Argentina (or any political
subdivision or authority thereof) other than the mere holding of such Senior
Note or Subsidiary Guarantee or the receipt of any payment thereunder or the
exercise of rights under the Senior Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantee, if any, or
the Indenture; (ii) if presentation is required in respect of a Senior Note or a
Subsidiary Guarantee, by reason of presentation by the Holder for payment on a
date more than thirty (30) days after the date on which such payment first
became due and payable or the date on which such payment is duly provided,
whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been
entitled to such Additional Amounts on presenting such Senior Note or Subsidiary
Guarantee for payment on the last date of such period of thirty (30) days; (iii)
any estate, asset (other than Personal Asset Taxes as defined in the Indenture),
inheritance, gift, sales or transfer tax or similar tax assessment or
governmental charge; (iv) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
(other than Personal Asset Taxes as defined in the Indenture) which is payable
otherwise than by withholding from payments on or in respect of any Senior Note;
or (v) any combination of the reasons set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or
(iv) above. Furthermore, no Additional Amounts shall be paid to a Holder that is
a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such
payment to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such
fiduciary or a member of such partnership or beneficial owner would not have
been entitled to receive the Additional Amounts had such beneficiary, settlor,
member or beneficial owner been the Holder.
At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or
with respect to the Senior Notes is due and payable, if the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts
with respect to such payment, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the fact that such
Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and will set forth
such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional
Amounts to Holders on the payment date and specifying the amount required to be
deducted or withheld on the payments of principal and interest (and premium, if
any) due on such payment date for or on account of Taxes and certifying that
such amount will be deducted or withheld and paid by the Company or
47
Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, to the appropriate taxing or
governmental authority. The Company has agreed to indemnify each of the Trustee,
the Principal Paying Agent and each other paying agent for, and to hold it
harmless against any loss, liability, or expense incurred without negligence,
bad faith or wilful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with
actions taken or omitted by it in reliance on any certificate furnished pursuant
to this paragraph or the failure to furnish such a certificate. The obligations
of the Company under this paragraph shall survive the payment of the Senior
Notes and the resignation or removal of the Trustee, the Principal Paying Agent
or any other paying agent and the termination of this Indenture. Whenever in the
Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium,
if any, interest, Liquidated Damages, if any or any other amount payable, under
or with respect to any Senior Note or Subsidiary Guarantee, such mention shall
be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent
that, in such context, Additional Amounts are payable in respect thereof.
If the Company is held liable for any Personal Asset Taxes (as defined in
the Indenture) imposed on the Holders or direct owners of Senior Notes with
respect to the Senior Notes, the Company waives any right that it may have as a
matter of Argentine law to seek reimbursement from such Holders or direct owners
of Senior Notes for any such Personal Asset Taxes paid.
In addition, the Company will pay any stamp, issue, registration,
documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest and penalties,
payable in Argentina or the United States or any political subdivision thereof
or taxing authority thereof or in the foregoing in respect of the creation,
issue and offering of the Senior Notes, and will pay any court, documentary or
similar taxes and duties required to be paid in connection with the enforcement
of the Senior Notes following the incurrence of any Event of Default.
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable on the Note Register of the
Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office
or agency of the Registrar or Co-Registrar maintained for such purpose in the
City of Buenos Aires and The City of New York, respectively, duly endorsed by,
or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Senior Notes, of authorized denominations
and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated
transferee or transferees.
The Senior Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of US$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Senior Notes
are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of a
different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the
same.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Senior Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
48
Prior to the time of due presentment of this 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 this Note is registered as the owner hereof
for all purposes, whether or not this Note shall be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or the interest on this Note, for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in
respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture
supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, shareholder, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the
Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived
and released, with the understanding, however, that this provision shall not
limit in any manner the rights concerning the holders of Senior Notes under
Section 34 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law.
In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the Senior Notes under the
Indenture, Holders of Series A Senior Notes constituting Transfer Restricted
Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) shall have all the
rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Original
Issue Date by and between the Company, on the one hand, and the Initial
Purchaser, on the other hand, providing for certain registration rights for the
Series A Senior Notes (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT").
All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall have
the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
The Trustee will furnish to any Holder of any Senior Note upon written
request and without charge, a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be directed
to: The Bank of New York, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇.
49
FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing
attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of
substitution in the premises.
[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
ON ALL SERIES A SENIOR NOTE CERTIFICATES
BEARING THE PRIVATE PLACEMENT LEGEND]
In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the later
of the original issue date and the last date on which the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company was the owner of a Senior Note (or any predecessor
Senior Note) and ending on the date two years (or such other period as may be
permitted by Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or any successor provision
thereunder) from the later of such dates, the undersigned confirms that without
utilizing any general solicitation or general advertising that:
[Check One]
[ ] (a) this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by
Rule 144A thereunder.
or
[ ] (b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above
and documents are being furnished that comply with the conditions of
transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.
If neither of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar or
Co-Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any
Person other
50
than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 3.07 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Date:
NOTICE: The signature must correspond with the
name as written upon the face of the
within-mentioned instrument in every
particular, without alteration or any
change whatsoever.
Signature Guarantee: __________________________________________________________
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for
its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment
discretion and that it and any such account is a "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.
Date:
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer.
51
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section
10.16 or Section 10.17 of the Indenture, check the Box: [ ].
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 10.16 or Section 10.17 of the Indenture, state the amount
(must be an integral multiple of $1,000) below:
$_______________________.
Date:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Signature:
---------------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee: (1)
-----------------------------------------------
SECTION 2.06. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.
Dated: ___________________________
This is one of the 11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008 of the
Company referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:
------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
-------------
(1) Guarantor must be a member of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program ("STAMP"), the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program
("MSP") or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program ("SEMP").
52
ARTICLE 3
THE SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 3.01. Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes which may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is limited to $225,000,000, except for Senior
Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in
exchange for, or in lieu of, other Senior Notes pursuant to Section 3.04, 3.05,
3.06, 9.06, 10.15, 10.16 or 11.08 or pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
The Senior Notes shall be known and designated as the "Series A 11 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2008" and the "Series B 11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008", as the
case may be, of the Company. Their Stated Maturity shall be April 1, 2008, and
they shall bear interest at the rate of 11.75% per annum from March 31, 1998, or
from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or
duly provided for, payable on October 1, 1998 and semiannually thereafter on
April 1 and October 1 of each year and at said Stated Maturity, until the
principal thereof is paid or duly provided for.
The principal of and interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes shall be payable at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Principal Paying Agent in The City of New York and at the office
of the Paying Agent, in the City of Buenos Aires and, subject to fiscal or other
laws and regulations applicable thereto, specified offices of any other Paying
Agent appointed by the Company for such purpose; provided, however, that at the
option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Note
Register or, in the case of a holder of at least US$1,000,000 principal amount
of Senior Notes, by wire transfer to a US Dollar account maintained by the payee
with a bank in the United States or in Argentina, provided that the Holder so
elects by giving written notice to such effect designating such account with
appropriate wire transfer instructions which is received by the Principal Paying
Agent no later than the Regular Record Date immediately preceding such Interest
Payment Date. Unless such designation is revoked, any such designation made by
such Holder with respect to such Senior Notes will remain in effect with respect
to any future payments with respect to such Senior Note payable to such Holder.
In the event of any foreign exchange restriction or prohibition in
Argentina, any and all payments in respect of the Securities shall be made, to
the extent permitted by such restriction or prohibition, in US Dollars through
(i) the sale of Bonex or of any other public or private bond issued in US
Dollars in Argentina or (ii) any other legal mechanism for the acquisition of US
Dollars in any exchange market. All costs, including any taxes, relative to such
operations to obtain US Dollars shall be borne by the Company.
Unless otherwise required by law, all payments made by the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor will be made without withholding or deduction for or on
account of
53
any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges or
penalties and interest related thereto ("TAXES") of whatever nature imposed,
levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within Argentina or any authority
therein or thereof or having power to tax. In the event any such Taxes are so
imposed on any payments made by the Company or any such Subsidiary Guarantor,
the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will pay such
Additional Amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by
each Holder (including Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages) after any
withholding or deduction in respect of such Taxes shall equal the respective
amounts of principal, premium, if any, and interest that would have been
received in respect of the Senior Notes in the absence of such withholding or
deduction; except that no such Additional Amounts will be payable with respect
to any withholding or deduction in respect of any payment under a Senior Note or
a Subsidiary Guarantee to, or to a third party on behalf of, a Holder for or on
account of any such Taxes imposed (i) by reason of the Holder being a resident
of Argentina or having some connection with Argentina (or any political
subdivision or authority thereof) other than the mere holding of such Senior
Note or Subsidiary Guarantee or the receipt of any payment thereunder or the
exercise of rights under the Senior Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantee, if any, or
the Indenture; (ii) if presentation is required in respect of a Senior Note or a
Subsidiary Guarantee, by reason of presentation by the Holder for payment on a
date more than thirty (30) days after the date on which such payment first
became due and payable or the date on which such payment is duly provided,
whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been
entitled to such Additional Amounts on presenting such Senior Note or Guarantee
for payment on the last date of such period of thirty (30) days; (iii) any
estate, asset (other than Personal Asset Taxes), inheritance, gift, sales or
transfer tax or similar tax assessment or governmental charge; (iv) any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge (other than Personal Asset Taxes) which
is payable otherwise than by withholding from payments on or in respect of any
Senior Note; or (v) any combination of the reasons set forth in clauses (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv) above. Furthermore, no Additional Amounts shall be paid to a
Holder that is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial
owner of such payment to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor with respect
to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or beneficial owner would not
have been entitled to receive the Additional Amounts had such beneficiary,
settlor, member or beneficial owner been the Holder.
At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or
with respect to the Senior Notes is due and payable, if the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts
with respect to such payment, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the fact that such
Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and will set forth
such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional
Amounts to holders on the payment date and specifying the amount required to be
deducted or withheld on the payments of principal and interests (and premium, if
any) due on such payment date for or on account of Taxes and certifying that
such amount will be deducted or withheld and paid by the Company or Subsidiary
Guarantor, as the case may be, to the appropriate taxing or governmental
authority. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee, the
Principal Paying Agent and each other paying agent for, and to hold it harmless
against any loss,
54
liability, or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with actions taken or
omitted by it in reliance on any certificate furnished pursuant to this Section
or the failure to furnish such a certificate. The obligations of the Company
under this Section shall survive the payment of the Senior Notes and the
resignation or removal of the Trustee, the Principal Paying Agent or any other
paying agent and the termination of this Indenture. Whenever in the Indenture
there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any,
interest, Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amount payable, under or with
respect to any Senior Note or Guarantee, such mention shall be deemed to include
mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such
context, Additional Amounts are payable in respect thereof.
If the Company is held liable for any Personal Asset Taxes imposed on the
Holders or direct owners of Senior Notes with respect to the Senior Notes, the
Company hereby agrees to waive any right that it may have as a matter of
Argentine law to seek reimbursement from such Holders or direct owners of Senior
Notes for any such Personal Asset Taxes paid.
In addition, the Company will pay any stamp, issue, registration,
documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest and penalties,
payable in Argentina or the United States or any political subdivision thereof
or taxing authority thereof or in the foregoing in respect of the creation,
issue and offering of the Senior Notes, and will pay any court, documentary or
similar taxes and duties required to be paid in connection with the enforcement
of the Senior Notes following the incurrence of any Event of Default.
The Senior Notes shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven.
SECTION 3.02. Denominations.
The Senior Notes shall be issuable only in registered non-endorsable form
without coupons and only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof.
SECTION 3.03. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Senior Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Company by a member of
the Supervisory Committee of the Company and by a Director of the Company. The
signature of any of these officers on the Senior Notes may be manual or, subject
to the applicable regulations of the CNV, facsimile signatures of the present or
any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced
on the Senior Notes.
Senior Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time a member of the Supervisory Committee and a Director 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 Senior Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Senior
Notes.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Senior Notes executed by the Company to the
55
Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication
and delivery of such Senior Notes, directing the Trustee to authenticate the
Senior Notes and certifying that all conditions precedent to the issuance of
Senior Notes contained herein have been fully complied with, and the Trustee in
accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Senior
Notes. In each case, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company stating that the issuance
and authentication of such Senior Notes complies with this Indenture and all
other relevant law, supplemented by such other representations and warranties as
the Trustee may reasonably request in connection with such authentication of
Senior Notes. Such order shall specify the amount of Senior Notes to be
authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Senior Notes is to be
authenticated.
Each Senior Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Senior Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Senior Note a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such
certificate upon any Senior Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Senior Note has been duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case the Company, pursuant to Article Eight, shall be consolidated or
merged with or into any other Person or shall convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to
any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such consolidation, or
surviving such merger, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or the
Person which shall have received a conveyance, transfer, lease or other
disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture supplemental hereto
with the Trustee pursuant to Article Eight, any of the Senior Notes
authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition may, from time to time, at the request of
the successor Person, be exchanged for other Senior Notes executed in the name
of the successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be
appropriate, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Senior Notes
surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee,
upon Company Request of the successor Person, shall authenticate and deliver
Senior Notes as specified in such request for the purpose of such exchange. If
Senior Notes shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of
a successor Person pursuant to this Section in exchange or substitution for or
upon registration of transfer of any Senior Notes, such successor Person, at the
option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the
exchange of all Senior Notes at the time Outstanding for Senior Notes
authenticated and delivered in such new name.
SECTION 3.04. Temporary Senior Notes.
Pending the preparation of definitive Senior Notes, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Senior Notes which are printed, lithographed, typewritten,
mimeographed or otherwise
56
produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the
definitive Senior Notes in lieu of which they are issued and with such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the
officers executing such Senior Notes may determine, as conclusively evidenced by
their execution of such Senior Notes.
If temporary Senior Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Senior Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of
definitive Senior Notes, the temporary Senior Notes shall be exchangeable for
definitive Senior Notes upon surrender of the temporary Senior Notes at the
office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section
10.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one
or more temporary Senior Notes, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of
definitive Senior Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Senior Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture as definitive Senior Notes.
SECTION 3.05. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
Subject to any applicable laws and such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, Banco Rio de la Plata S.A., as Registrar, shall keep a register (the
"NOTE REGISTER") at its registrar offices in Buenos Aires, Argentina set forth
in Section 1.05 of this Indenture for the registration of ownership, exchange,
and transfer of the Senior Notes. The Bank of New York, as Co-Registrar, shall
also maintain a record of all registrations of ownership, exchange and transfer
of Senior Notes. The Co-Registrar shall give prompt written notice to the
Registrar and the Registrar shall likewise give prompt written notice to the
Co-Registrar of any registration of ownership, exchange or transfer of Senior
Notes. Included in the books and records for the Senior Notes shall be notations
as to whether such Senior Notes have been paid, exchanged or transferred and
canceled or lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed and whether such Senior Notes
have been replaced. In the case of the replacement of any of the Senior Notes,
the Registrar and the Co-Registrar shall keep a record of the Senior Note so
replaced and the Senior Note issued in replacement thereof. In the case of the
cancellation of any of the Senior Notes, the Registrar and the Co-Registrar
shall keep a record of the Senior Note so canceled and the date on which such
Senior Note was canceled.
Upon presentation for exchange or transfer of any Senior Note at the office
of either the Registrar or Co-Registrar accompanied by a written instrument of
exchange or transfer in a form approved by the Company duly executed by the
registered Holder or his attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing, and upon
completion of any certification required by the terms of this Indenture, such
Senior Note shall be exchanged or transferred upon the Note Register, and one or
more new Senior Notes shall be authenticated and issued in the name of the
Holder (in the case of exchanges only) or the transferee, as the case may be. No
exchange or transfer of a Senior Note shall be effective under this Indenture or
the Senior Notes unless and until such Senior Note has been registered in the
name of such Person in the Note Register. Furthermore, the exchange or transfer
of any Senior Note shall not be effective under this Indenture or the Senior
Notes unless the request for such exchange or transfer is made by the registered
57
Holder or by a duly authorized attorney-in-fact at the office of the Registrar
or the Co-Registrar.
Furthermore, any Holder of any Global Senior Note shall, by acceptance of
such Global Senior Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interest in such
Global Senior Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained
by the Holder of such Global Senior Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a
beneficial interest in the Senior Note shall be required to be reflected in a
book entry.
At the option of the Holder, Senior Notes may be exchanged for other Senior
Notes of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount,
upon surrender of the Senior Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.
Whenever any Senior Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Senior Notes which
the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
All Senior Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Senior Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Senior
Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Senior Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
for exchange shall be duly endorsed, or (if so required by the Company) be
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the
Company, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange or redemption of Senior Notes, except for the expense of delivery other
than by regular mail (if any) and except that the Company may require payment of
a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Senior
Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.04, 9.06, 10.15, 10.16 or
11.08 not involving any transfer.
The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange any Senior Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before the selection of Senior Notes to be redeemed under Section 11.04 and
ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing of the relevant
notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Senior
Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Senior Note being redeemed in part.
SECTION 3.06. Book-entry Provisions for Global Senior Notes.
(a) Each Global Senior Note initially shall (i) be registered in the name
of the Depositary for such Global Senior Notes or the nominee of such
Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary
and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.02.
58
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("AGENT MEMBERS") shall have
no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Senior Note, and the
Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Senior Note for all
purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent
the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving
effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by
the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the
operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a
beneficial owner of any Senior Note. The registered holder of a Global Senior
Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent
Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any
action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Senior
Notes.
(b) Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Senior Note may be
transferred in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the
Depositary and the provisions of Section 3.07. The Senior Notes shall be issued
in global form only, and transfers of a Global Senior Note shall be limited to
transfers of such Global Senior Note in whole, but not in part, to the
Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees, except that U.S.
Physical Senior Notes or Offshore Physical Senior Notes shall be transferred to
all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in the U.S.
Global Senior Note or the Offshore Global Senior Note, respectively, in the
following circumstances: (x) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the applicable Global Senior
Note or the Depositary ceases to be a "CLEARING AGENCY" registered under the
Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within
90 days or (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and Holders of
more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time
outstanding represented by the Global Senior Notes advise the Trustee through
the Depositary in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system through
the Depositary with respect to the Global Senior Notes is no longer required. In
connection with a transfer of an entire Global Senior Note to beneficial owners
pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph (b), the applicable Global Senior Note
shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each
beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial
interest in the applicable Global Senior Note, an equal aggregate principal
amount at maturity of U.S. Physical Senior Notes (in the case of the U.S. Global
Senior Note) or Offshore Physical Senior Notes (in the case of the Offshore
Global Senior Note), as the case may be, of authorized denominations.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Senior Notes that is
transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
other Global Senior Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such
Global Senior Note and become an interest in the other Global Senior Note and,
accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any,
and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global
Senior Note for as long as it remains such an interest.
(d) With respect to the Series A Senior Notes, any U.S. Physical Senior
Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the U.S. Global Senior Note
pursuant to
59
paragraph (b) of this Section shall, unless such exchange is made on or after
the Resale Restriction Termination Date and except as otherwise provided in
Section 3.07, bear the Private Placement Legend.
(e) With respect to the Series A Senior Notes, any Offshore Physical Senior
Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Offshore Global Senior Note
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section shall, unless such exchange is made
after the Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period, and except as otherwise
provided in Section 3.07, bear the Private Placement Legend.
SECTION 3.07. Transfer Provisions.
(a) General. The provisions of this Section 3.07 shall apply to all
transfers involving any Physical Senior Note and any beneficial interest in any
Global Senior Note.
(b) Certain Definitions. As used in this Section 3.07 only, "DELIVERY" of a
certificate by a transferee or transferor means the delivery to the Registrar or
Co-Registrar by such transferee or transferor of the applicable certificate duly
completed; "HOLDING" includes both possession of a Physical Senior Note and
ownership of a beneficial interest in a Global Senior Note, as the context
requires; "TRANSFERRING" a Global Senior Note means transferring that portion of
the principal amount of the transferor's beneficial interest therein that the
transferor has notified the Co-Registrar that it has agreed to transfer; and
"TRANSFERRING" a Physical Senior Note means transferring that portion of the
principal amount thereof that the transferor has notified the Registrar or
Co-Registrar that it has agreed to transfer.
As used in this Indenture, "REGULATION S CERTIFICATE" means a certificate
substantially in the form set forth in Section 3.09; "RULE 144A CERTIFICATE"
means a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 3.10; and
"NON-REGISTRATION OPINION AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE" means a written opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that, and such other
certification or information as the Company may reasonably require to confirm
that, the proposed transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a
transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
(c) [Intentionally Omitted]
(d) Deemed Delivery of a Rule 144A Certificate in Certain Circumstances. A
Rule 144A Certificate, if not actually delivered, will be deemed delivered if
(A) (i) the transferor advises the Company and the Trustee in writing that the
relevant offer and sale were made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144A
(or, in the case of a transfer of a Physical Senior Note, the transferor checks
the box provided on the Physical Senior Note to that effect) and (ii) the
transferee advises the Company and the Trustee in writing that (x) it and, if
applicable, each account for which it is acting in connection with the relevant
transfer, is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A,
(y) it is aware that the transfer of Senior Notes to it is being made in
reliance on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act
provided by Rule 144A, and (z)
60
prior to the proposed date of transfer it has been given the opportunity to
obtain from the Company the information referred to in Rule 144A(d)(4), and has
either declined such opportunity or has received such information (or, in the
case of a transfer of a Physical Senior Note, the transferee signs the
certification provided on the Physical Senior Note to that effect); or (B) the
transferor holds the U.S. Global Senior Note and is transferring to a transferee
that will take delivery in the form of the U.S. Global Senior Note.
(e) Procedures and Requirements. Unless and until a Series A Senior Note is
exchanged for a Series B Senior Note in connection with an effective
registration statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the
following provisions shall apply:
(i) Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall apply with
respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Physical Senior
Note bearing the Private Placement Legend or an interest in any Global
Senior Note bearing the Private Placement Legend to a QIB (excluding
Non-U.S. Persons):
(A) If the Senior Note to be transferred is (1) a Physical Senior
Note, the Registrar shall register the transfer, if such transfer is
being made by a proposed transferor who delivers (or is deemed to have
delivered) a Rule 144A Certificate or (2) an interest in any Global
Senior Note, the transfer of such interest may be effected only through
the book entry system maintained by the Depositary, if such transfer is
being made by a proposed transferor who delivers(or is deemed to have
delivered) a Rule 144A Certificate.
(B) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Senior
Note to be transferred is a Physical Senior Note, upon receipt by the
Registrar of the documents referred to in clause (i)(A) and
instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global
Senior Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Physical
Senior Note to be transferred and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical
Senior Note so transferred.
(ii) Transfers of Interests in the Offshore Global Senior Note. The
following provisions shall apply with respect to registration of any
proposed transfer of interests in the Offshore Global Senior Note:
(A) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Offshore
Global Senior Note bearing the Private Placement Legend (1) if the
proposed transferee is a Non-U.S. Person and the proposed transferor
has delivered to the Registrar a Regulation S Certificate or (2) if the
proposed transferee is a QIB and the proposed transferor delivers (or
is deemed to have delivered) a Rule 144A Certificate.
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(B) If the proposed transferee of any Offshore Global Senior Note
bearing the Private Placement Legend is an Agent Member, upon receipt
by the Registrar of the documents referred to in clause (ii)(A)(2)
above and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and
the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books
and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the
U.S. Global Senior Note, in an amount equal to the principal amount of
the Offshore Global Senior Note to be transferred, and the Trustee
shall decrease the amount of the Offshore Global Senior Note.
(C) Prior to the expiration of the Offshore Senior Note
Restricted Period, the Registrar shall refuse to register the transfer
of any Offshore Senior Note to any U.S. Person; and
(D) After the expiration of the Offshore Senior Note Restricted
Period, the Registrar shall register the transfer of any such Senior
Note without requiring any additional certification.
(iii) Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time. The following
provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Senior Note to a
Non-U.S. Person:
(A) Prior to the completion of the Offshore Senior Note
Restricted Period, the Registrar shall register any proposed transfer
of a Senior Note to a Non-U.S. Person upon receipt of a Regulation S
Certificate from the proposed transferor.
(B) After the completion of the Offshore Senior Note Restricted
Period, the Registrar shall register any proposed transfer to any
Non-U.S. Person if the Senior Note to be transferred is a U.S. Physical
Senior Note or an interest in a U.S. Global Senior Note, upon receipt
of a Regulation S Certificate from the proposed transferor.
(C) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Senior Note, upon receipt by the
Registrar of (1) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (iii)(B)
and (2) instructions in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S.
Global Senior Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Senior Note to be transferred,
and if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon receipt by the
Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and
the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books
and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the
Offshore Global Senior Note in an amount equal to the principal amount
of the U.S. Physical Senior Note or the U.S. Global Senior Note, as the
case may be, to be transferred, and the Trustee
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shall cancel the Physical Senior Note, if any, so transferred or
decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Senior Note, as the case may be.
(f) Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Physical Senior Notes. In any
case in which the Co-Registrar is required to deliver a Physical Senior Note to
a transferee, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, such Physical Senior Note.
(g) Certain Additional Terms Applicable to Physical Senior Notes. (i) Any
transferee entitled to receive a Physical Senior Note may request that the
principal amount thereof be evidenced by one or more Physical Senior Notes in
any authorized denomination or denominations and the Registrar or Co-Registrar
shall comply with such request if all other transfer restrictions are satisfied.
(ii) In the event that a transferor transfers less than the entire
principal amount of a Physical Senior Note surrendered for transfer,
following the transfer the Registrar or Co-Registrar shall deliver to the
transferor a new Physical Senior Note of the same type in principal amount
equal to the untransferred portion of the surrendered Physical Senior Note.
(h) Transfers Not Covered by Section 3.07(e). The Co-Registrar shall effect
and record, upon receipt of a written request from the Company so to do, a
transfer not otherwise permitted by Section 3.07(e), such recording to be done
in accordance with the otherwise applicable provisions of Section 3.07(e), upon
the furnishing by the proposed transferor or transferee of a Non-Registration
Opinion and Supporting Evidence.
(i) General. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Senior Notes not
bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Senior Notes
that do not bear the Private Placement Legend. Except as otherwise provided
hereunder, upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Senior Notes bearing
the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Senior Notes that
bear the Private Placement Legend unless there is delivered to the Registrar an
Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the
effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are
required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities
Act. By its acceptance of any Senior Note bearing the Private Placement Legend,
each Holder of such Senior Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of
such Senior Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend
and agrees that it will transfer such Senior Note only as provided in the
Indenture. Neither the Registrar nor the Co-Registrar shall register a transfer
of any Senior Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions with
respect thereto set forth in this Indenture. Neither the Registrar nor the
Co-Registrar shall be required to determine (but may rely upon a determination
made by the Company) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions
or other information.
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or
inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this
Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest
in any Senior Note (including
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any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests
in any Global Senior Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates
and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so
if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine
the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express
requirements hereof.
SECTION 3.08. [Intentionally Omitted].
SECTION 3.09. Form of Regulation S Certificate.
Regulation S Certificate
To: The Bank of New York,
as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE")
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: Indenture (the "INDENTURE") dated as of March 31, 1998 between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Hermanos S.A. (the "COMPANY") and the Trustee
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Certificate relates to our proposed transfer of $___________ principal
amount of Senior Notes issued under the Indenture. Terms are used in this
Certificate as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"). We hereby certify as follows:
1. The offer of the Senior Notes was not made to a person in the United
States (unless such person or the account held by it for which it is acting is
excluded from the definition of "U.S. PERSON" pursuant to Rule 902(o) of
Regulation S under the circumstances described in Rule 902(i)(3) of Regulation
S) or specifically targeted at an identifiable group of U.S. citizens abroad.
2. Either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the buyer was
outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably
believed that the buyer was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was
executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities
market, and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the
transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States.
3. Neither we, any of our affiliates, nor any person acting on our or their
behalf has made any directed selling efforts in the United States.
4. The proposed transfer of Senior Notes is not part of a plan or scheme to
evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
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5. If we are a dealer or a person receiving a selling concession or other
fee or remuneration in respect of the Senior Notes, and the proposed transfer
takes place before completion of the Offshore Senior Note Restricted Period
referred to in the Indenture, or we are an officer or director of the Company or
a distributor, we certify that the proposed transfer is being made in accordance
with the provisions of Rule 904(c) of Regulation S.
You and the Company are entitled to conclusively rely upon this Certificate
and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to
any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official
inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[NAME OF SELLER]
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Address:
Date of this Certificate: _________ __, ____
SECTION 3.10. Form of Rule 144A Certificate.
Rule 144A Certificate
To: The Bank of New York,
as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE")
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: Indenture (the "INDENTURE") dated as of March 31, 1998 between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Hermanos S.A. (the "COMPANY") and the Trustee
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Certificate relates to our proposed purchase of $___________ principal
amount of Senior Notes issued under the Indenture. We and, if applicable, each
account for which we are acting, are "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS" within the
meaning of Rule 144A ("RULE 144A") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "SECURITIES ACT"). We are aware that the transfer of Senior Notes to us is
being made in reliance on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the
Securities Act provided by Rule 144A. Prior to the date of this Certificate we
have been given the opportunity to obtain
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from the Company the information referred to in Rule 144A(d)(4), and have either
declined such opportunity or have received such information.
You and the Company are entitled to conclusively rely upon this Certificate
and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to
any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official
inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[NAME OF PURCHASER]
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Address:
Date of this Certificate: _________ __, ____
SECTION 3.11. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Senior Notes.
If (a) any mutilated Senior Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or (b) the
Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the
destruction, loss or theft of any Senior Note, and 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, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the
Trustee that such Senior Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the
Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Senior Note or in lieu of any such
destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note, a new Senior Note of like tenor and
principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note has
become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Senior Note, pay such Senior Note.
Upon the issuance of any new Senior Note under this Section, the Company
may require the payment 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.
Every new Senior Note issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Note shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with any and all other Senior Notes duly issued hereunder.
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The provisions of this Section 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 Senior Notes.
SECTION 3.12. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Senior Note (and any Additional Amounts payable in respect
thereof and any Liquidated Damages) which is payable, and is punctually paid or
duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in
whose name such Senior Note (or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest
at the offices or agencies of the Company in The City of New York and the City
of Buenos Aires maintained for such purposes (which initially will be the
Principal Paying Agent and the Registrar, respectively) pursuant to Section
10.02.
The Company shall provide to the Principal Paying Agent in same day funds
on or before ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ time) one Business Day prior to each date on
which a payment of principal of or any interest on the Senior Notes shall become
due, as set forth in the text of the Senior Notes, such amount in US Dollars as
is necessary to make such payment, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs
the Principal Paying Agent from funds so provided to it to make or cause to be
made payment of the principal of and any interest, as the case may be, on the
Senior Notes as set forth herein and in the text of said Senior Notes; provided
that payment of interest on the Senior Notes may be made directly by the
Company, by US Dollar check drawn on a bank in The City of New York mailed to
the Person entitled thereto as provided in the text of the Senior Notes.
Payments of any interest on the Senior Notes may be made, in the case of a
registered holder of at least US$1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes, by wire transfer to a US Dollar account maintained by the payee with a
bank in the United States or in Argentina; provided that such Holder elects
payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Principal Paying Agent
to such effect designating such account with appropriate wire transfer
instructions no later than the Regular Record Date immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Date, or such other date at the discretion of the Principal
Paying Agent. Unless such designation is revoked, any such designation made by
such Holder with respect to such Senior Notes shall remain in effect with
respect to any future payments of interest with respect to such Senior Notes
payable to such Holder. The Company shall pay any administrative costs imposed
by banks in connection with making payments by wire transfer. The Principal
Paying Agent shall arrange directly with any other Paying Agent who may have
been appointed by the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture for
the payment from funds so paid by the Company to the Principal Paying Agent of
the principal of and any interest on the Senior Notes as set forth herein and in
the text of said Senior Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
upon prompt written notice to the Principal Paying Agent and the Trustee provide
directly to another Paying Agent funds for the payment of the principal or any
interest on any of the Senior Notes pursuant to an agreement with respect to
such funds containing substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in
this Section 3.12; and the Principal Paying Agent shall have no responsibility
with respect to any funds so provided by the Company to any such other Paying
Agent.
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Any interest on any Senior Note (and any Additional Amounts payable in
respect thereof and any Liquidated Damages) which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the Regular Record Date by virtue
of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest (and any Additional
Amounts payable in respect thereof and any Liquidated Damages) and (to the
extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the
Senior Notes (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively
called "DEFAULTED INTEREST") may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the
Persons in whose names the Senior Notes (or their respective Predecessor Senior
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 Senior 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 Trustee
shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which
shall be not more than 15 days and not 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 Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest
and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in
Section 1.06, 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 so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names the Senior Notes (or their respective Predecessor Senior
Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and
shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2).
(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Senior Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the
proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed
practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Senior Note
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Senior Note shall carry the rights to interest
accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Senior Note.
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SECTION 3.13. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment of a Senior 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 such Note is registered as the owner of such Senior
Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any)
and (subject to Sections 3.05 and 3.11) interest on such Senior Note and for all
other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Senior Note be overdue, and none
of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 3.14. Cancellation.
All Senior Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee,
shall be promptly canceled by it and delivered to the Trustee. The Company may
at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Senior Notes previously
authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any
manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for
delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Senior Notes previously
authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all
Senior Notes so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. If the
Company shall so acquire any of the Senior Notes, however, such acquisition
shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness
represented by such Senior Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to
the Trustee for cancellation. No Senior Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of
or in exchange for any Senior Notes canceled as provided in this Section, except
as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Senior Notes held by the
Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary
procedures and certification of their disposal delivered to the Company unless
by Company Order the Company shall direct that canceled Senior Notes be returned
to it.
SECTION 3.15. Computation of Interest.
Interest on the Senior Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 3.16. Cusip and CINS Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Senior Notes may use "CUSIP" and "CINS" numbers
(if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" or "CINS"
numbers 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 of
such numbers either as printed on the Senior 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 Senior Notes, and any such redemption shall not be
affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly
notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" or "CINS" numbers.
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ARTICLE 4
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 4.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the
Senior Notes as expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto and obligations
to pay Additional Amounts and except as otherwise provided herein in the last
paragraph of this Section 4.01) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of
this Indenture when
(a) either
(i) all the Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other
than (i) Senior Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which
have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.10 and (ii) Senior
Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with
the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the
Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust,
as provided in Section 10.03) have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation; or
(ii) all Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation
(A) have become due and payable, or
(B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within
one year, or
(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under
arrangements 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 the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in
trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire Indebtedness on such Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Senior Notes to the date of such deposit (in the case
of Senior Notes which have become due and payable) or to the Stated
Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(b) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid
all sums payable hereunder by the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor; and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have
been complied with.
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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Sections 6.06 and 10.09 and, if
money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of
clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 4.02
and the last paragraph of Section 10.03 shall survive.
SECTION 4.02. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Notes and 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 (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
ARTICLE 5
REMEDIES
SECTION 5.01. Events of Default.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT", wherever used herein, means any one 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):
(a) default in the payment of any interest or any Additional Amounts or
Liquidated Damages on any Senior Note when such amounts become due and payable,
and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(b) default in the payment of the principal of and/or premium, if any, on
any Senior Note when due and payable at its Maturity;
(c) default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions described in
Section 8.01, the failure to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10.16 or the failure to make or
consummate an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with the provisions of Section
10.17;
(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of
the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor contained in this Indenture or any
Subsidiary Guarantee (other than a default in the performance, or breach, of a
covenant or agreement which is specifically dealt with in clause (a), (b) or (c)
above) and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after
written notice shall have been given to the
71
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes then Outstanding;
(e) (i) failure by either of the Company or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries to make any payment when due and after the date which is 10 days
beyond the expiration of any applicable grace period, in respect of any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of such Significant Subsidiaries that has an
aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of US$10 million (or, to the
extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) or
(ii) one or more defaults under one or more mortgages, bonds, debentures or
other evidences of Indebtedness under which the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary then has outstanding Indebtedness in excess of US$10 million (or, to
the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount),
individually or in the aggregate, and either (x) a principal amount of such
Indebtedness in excess of US$10 million (or, to the extent non-US Dollar
denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount) is already due and payable
in full or (y) such default or defaults have resulted in the acceleration of the
maturity of such Indebtedness;
(f) one or more final judgments or orders shall be rendered against the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for the payment of money, either
individually or in an aggregate amount, in excess of US$10 million (or, to the
extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount)
(exclusive of judgment amounts covered by insurance) and shall not be discharged
and either (A) an enforcement proceeding shall have been commenced by any
creditor upon such judgment or order or (B) there shall have been a period of 60
consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order,
by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect;
(g) any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect or is
declared null and void or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies that it has any father
liability under any Subsidiary Guarantee, or gives notice to such effect (other
than by reason of the termination of the Indenture or the release of any such
Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture);
(h) a resolution is passed or adopted by the Board of Directors or
stockholders of the Company, or a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
is made, that the Company be wound up or dissolved, other than for the purposes
of or pursuant to a merger or consolidation otherwise permitted under and in
accordance with the terms of Section 8.01;
(i) a court having jurisdiction enters a decree or order for (a) relief in
respect of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case
under Argentine Law No. 24,522, as amended, or any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or (b) appointment of
an administrator, receiver, trustee or intervenor for the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary for all or substantially all of the property of the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary and such decree or order remains unstayed
and in effect for 60 or more days;
72
(j) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (a) commences a voluntary
case under Argentine Law No. 24,522, as amended, or any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (b) consents to the
appointment of or taking possession by an administrator, receiver, trustee or
intervenor for the Company or any Significant Subsidiary for all or
substantially all of the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary
or (c) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(k) the Argentine Government declares a general suspension of payment, or a
moratorium, in either case applicable to payment of the Senior Notes.
SECTION 5.02. Acceleration of Maturity; Recission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(i) or (j) of Section 5.01) shall occur and be continuing, then and in every
such case the Trustee, by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Senior Notes then Outstanding may, and
the Trustee, upon the written request of such Holders, shall declare the
principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, and any Liquidated Damages
and Additional Amounts on all of the Outstanding Senior Notes to be due and
payable immediately, and upon any such declaration all such amounts payable in
respect of the Senior Notes shall become immediately due and payable. If an
Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (j) of Section 5.01 shall occur and
be continuing with respect to the Company, then the principal amount of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest, and any Liquidated Damages and Additional
Amounts, on all the Senior Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due
and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or
any Holder.
At any time after a declaration of acceleration under this Indenture has
been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been
obtained by the Trustee or any Holder as hereinafter provided in this Article,
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes then
Outstanding, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind such
declaration and its consequences if
(a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
pay,
(i) all overdue interest on all Outstanding Senior Notes, including any
Liquidated Damages and Additional Amounts,
(ii) all unpaid principal of, or Additional Amounts or Liquidated
Damages, if any (and premium, if any,) on any Outstanding Senior Notes that
has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and
interest thereon at the rate borne by the Senior Notes,
(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the Senior Notes, and
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(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
(b) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts of
principal of, or Additional Amounts, if any (or premium, if any, on), or
interest on the Senior Notes or Liquidated Damages, if any, which have become
due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as
provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
The foregoing provisions shall be without prejudice to the rights of each
individual Holder to initiate a summary action ("ACCION EJECUTIVA") against the
Company for the payment of any principal, interest, Liquidated Damages and/or
Additional Amounts past due on any Senior Note, as the case may be. The right of
any individual Holder to initiate such action against the Company shall comply
with Article 29 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law.
SECTION 5.03. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
Trustee.
The Company covenants that if
(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest, or on
any Liquidated Damages, on any Senior Note when such payment becomes due and
payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or
(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of, or Additional
Amounts, if any (or premium, if any), on, any Senior Note at the Maturity
thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, promptly pay to the
Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, the whole amount
then due and payable on such Senior Notes for principal (and premium, if any)
and interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest
on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and, to the extent that payment
of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installment of
interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any, at the rate
borne by the Senior Notes, 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.
Any Holder may institute proceedings directly against the Company for the
payment of past due principal, interest, Liquidated Damages or Additional
Amounts, if any, but from the date such proceedings are instituted, the Holder
of such Senior Notes, shall cease to have any rights under the trust created by
these presents, whether in relation to trust moneys (including moneys recovered
by the Trustee prior to the institution of such proceedings) or otherwise. The
Trustee shall be entitled to assume (and it is the
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intention of the parties that it will assume) that no such proceedings have been
instituted, unless it has express notice to the contrary.
No Senior Note which has been the subject of such proceedings may be
presented to the Trustee, a Paying Agent or Registrar and Co-Registrar for
payment or replacement but in such circumstances the Company shall make separate
arrangements for payment directly to the Holder of each such Senior Note. If any
Holder, having instituted proceedings directly against the Company, subsequently
disposes of the Senior Note forming the subject matter of such proceedings, the
cessation of the rights under the trust created by these presents occurring upon
the institution of such proceedings, shall inure in relation to the purchaser of
such Senior Note. Upon notification by the Company of any such proceedings, the
Trustee shall give notice to the Paying Agents and the Registrar and
Co-Registrar of the serial numbers of those Senior Notes forming the subject
matter of such proceedings and the Paying Agents and Registrar and Co-Registrar
shall make such serial numbers available to any Holder or potential Holder upon
its request.
If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may institute a
judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may
prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same
against the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes and collect the
moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of
the property of the Company or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes, wherever
situated.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its
discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the
Holders 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 5.04. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
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 other obligor upon the Senior
Notes or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their
creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Senior
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, premium, if any, or interest)
shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise,
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and
premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Senior Notes
and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in
order to have the claims of the
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Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the
Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
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 the
Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.06.
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 Senior
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 5.05. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Senior
Notes. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Senior Notes
may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of
the Senior Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto,
and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own
name and 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, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 5.06. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 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 on account of principal (or premium,
if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Senior Notes 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 6.06;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of
which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of
any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Senior Notes for
principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts and
Liquidated Damages, if any, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto.
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SECTION 5.07. Limitation on Suits.
Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 5.02, no Holder of any
Senior Notes shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or
otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver
or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless
(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Senior Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee
hereunder;
(c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with
such request;
(d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
(e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority or more in
principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes;
it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders 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,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders
or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.
SECTION 5.08. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium,
Interest, Liquidated Damages and Additional Amounts.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Senior Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to
receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article Twelve)
and in such Senior Note of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject
to Section 3.11) interest and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any,
on such Senior Note on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Senior
Note (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute
suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be
impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 5.09. 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, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and
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in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the
Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall 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 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Notes in the last paragraph of
Section 3.06, 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 and 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 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Senior 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 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 5.12. Control by Holders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.02(5), the Holders of not less than
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes shall
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, provided that
(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with
this Indenture,
(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction, and
(c) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal
liability or be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not consenting.
SECTION 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Senior Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Senior
Notes, waive any past default hereunder or under this Indenture and its
consequences, except a default
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(a) in respect of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest or any Additional Amount or Liquidated Damages on any Senior Note, or
(b) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note.
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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 5.14. 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 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.
SECTION 5.15. Currency Indemnity.
All amounts payable under the Indenture are payable in US Dollars. Any
amount received or recovered in currency other than US Dollars (whether as a
result of, or of the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any
jurisdiction, in the winding up or dissolution of the Company or otherwise) by
any Holder in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Company
shall only constitute discharge of the Company to the extent of the US Dollar
amount which the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or
recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if
it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on
which it is practicable to do so). If that US Dollar amount is less than the US
Dollar amount expressed to be due to the recipient under any Senior Note or
Subsidiary Guarantee, the Company shall indemnify such recipient against any
loss sustained by it as a result. In any event, the Company shall indemnify the
recipient against the cost of making any such purchase. For the purposes of this
paragraph, it will be sufficient for the Holder to certify in a reasonably
satisfactory manner (indicating the sources of information used) that it would
have suffered a loss had an actual purchase of US Dollars been made with the
amount so received in that other currency on the date of receipt or recovery
(or, if a purchase of US Dollars on such date had not been practicable, on the
first date on which it would have been practicable, it being required that the
need for a change of date be certified in the manner mentioned above). These
indemnities constitute a separate and independent obligation from the Company's
other obligations, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of
action, shall apply irrespective of any waiver granted by a Holder and shall
continue in full force and effect despite any other judgment, order,
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claim or proof for a liquidated amount in respect of any sum due under any
Senior Note or Subsidiary Guarantee or any other judgment or order.
ARTICLE 6
The Trustee
SECTION 6.01. Notice of Default.
(a) Within 5 days after obtaining actual knowledge of the occurrence of any
Default hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders in the manner and
to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of any such Default
hereunder actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless such
Default shall have been cured or waived; provided that, except in the case of a
Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on
any Senior Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the
Holders; and provided further that, in the case of any Default of the character
specified in Section 5.01 (iv), no such notice to Holders shall be given until
at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof.
(b) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default unless a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless
written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the
Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references
the Senior Notes and this Indenture.
SECTION 6.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.
Subject to the provisions of TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d) (determined
as if the TIA were applicable to this Indenture at all times):
(a) the Trustee shall conclusively 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,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;
(b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned 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;
(c) 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)
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may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an
Officers' Certificate;
(d) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written
advice of such counsel or 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;
(e) 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 reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;
(f) 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,
note, other evidence of indebtedness 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;
(g) 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; and
(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
The Trustee shall have, but it will not be required to exercise, the powers
contemplated by Article 344, 345 (paragraph 1 and 2) and 351 of Argentine Law
No. 19,550, as amended, and Article 13 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations
Law.
No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk
its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of
any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers
hereunder 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.
SECTION 6.03. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Senior
Notes.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of
this Indenture, any offering materials or of the Senior Notes, except that the
Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this
Indenture, authenticate the
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Senior Notes and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made
by it in any Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are
true and accurate, subject to any qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee
shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Senior
Notes or the proceeds thereof.
SECTION 6.04. May Hold Senior Notes.
The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Registrar, Co-Registrar or any other
agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity,
may become the owner or pledgee of Senior Notes and, subject to TIA Sections
310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, Co-Registrar or such
other agent.
SECTION 6.05. 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.
SECTION 6.06. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Company agrees:
(a) to pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in
writing with the Company from time to time for all services rendered by it
hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in
regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(b) 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
expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith;
and
(c) to indemnify the Trustee, its agents and other Persons employed by the
Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture for, and to hold them
harmless against, any and all losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, claims,
causes of action, costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of legal
counsel) incurred directly or indirectly, without negligence or bad faith on
their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this trust or the exercise of their rights or the performance
of their duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of
defending themselves against or investigating any claim or liability in the
premises.
The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate the
Trustee, to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and
advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee, its agents and other
Persons employed by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture
shall constitute additional indebtedness
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hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge or other termination
of this Indenture, the resignation or removal of the Trustee and payment of the
Senior Notes. As security for the performance of such obligations of the
Company, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Senior Notes upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on
particular Senior Notes.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an
Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(x) or (xi), the expenses (including
the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) of and the compensation for
such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Indenture, payment of the Senior Notes and/or the removal or resignation of the
Trustee.
The rights, benefits, protections, priveleges and immunities provided to
the Trustee hereunder including, without limitation, the right to
indemnification, shall extend to, and shall be enforceable by, the Co-Registrar,
Principal Paying Agent, Registrar and Paying Agent.
SECTION 6.07. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall be at all times a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to
act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a) and the Argentine Negotiable Obligations
Law Section 13 and shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least
US$50,000,000. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of Federal, State, territorial
or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the
purposes of this Section, 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, it shall
resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in
this Article.
SECTION 6.08. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 6.09.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to
the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by
Section 6.09 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.
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(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of not
less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes,
delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.
(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section
310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who
has been a bona fide Holder of a Senior Note for at least six months, or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.07 and
shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by
any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Senior Note for at least
six months, 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, (i) the Company, by a Board Resolution, may remove the
Trustee, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Senior 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 and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been
delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
removal, the Trustee being removed may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Senior Notes.
(e) 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, the Company,
by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If, within
one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of
such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes delivered to the
Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall,
forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee
and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor
Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted
appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona
fide Holder of a Senior Note 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.
(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to the Holders of Senior
Notes in the manner provided for in Section 1.06. Each notice shall include the
name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
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SECTION 6.09. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder 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 request of the Company or the successor
Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, 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. 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.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified under TIA Section
310(b) and eligible under Section 6.07.
SECTION 6.10. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this
Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Senior Notes shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Senior Notes so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Senior Notes.
In case at that time any of the Senior Notes shall not have been authenticated,
any successor Trustee may authenticate such Senior Notes either in the name of
any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee. In all such
cases such certificates shall have the full force and effect which this
Indenture provides that the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall
have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of
authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Senior Notes in the
name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors
by merger, conversion or consolidation.
SECTION 6.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act,
excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of that Act. If the
present or any future Trustee shall resign or be removed, it shall be subject to
Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent provided therein.
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SECTION 6.12. Other Capacities.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all references in
this Indenture to the Trustee shall be deemed to refer to the Trustee in its
capacity as Trustee and in its capacities as Co-Registrar and Principal Paying
Agent and (ii) every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, or
affecting the liability or offering protection, immunity or indemnity to, the
Trustee shall be deemed to apply with the same force and effect to the Trustee
acting in its capacities as Co-Registrar and Principal Paying Agent.
SECTION 6.13. Appointment of Co-Trustee or Separate Trustee. (a)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any time, for the
purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction in which
enforcement may be necessary by the Trustee with respect to the Senior Notes or
for any other reason, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and
deliver all instruments to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or
co-trustees, or separate trustee or separate trustees and to vest in such Person
or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the holders, and subject to
the other provisions of this Indenture, such powers, duties, obligations and
rights as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or
separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as
a successor trustee under Section 6.08 hereof and no notice to Holders of the
appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required hereunder.
(b) Every co-trustee and separate trustee shall, to the extent permitted by
law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:
(i) all rights and powers, conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall
be conferred or imposed upon and may be exercised or performed by such
co-trustee or separate trustee; and
(ii) no trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any
act or omission of any other trustee hereunder.
(c) Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be
deemed to have been given to each of the then co-trustees or separate trustees,
as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any
co-trustee or separate trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions
of this Article.
Any co-trustee or separate trustee may at any time appoint the Trustee as
its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not
prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on
its behalf and in its name. If any co-trustee or separate trustee shall die,
become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates,
properties, rights and remedies shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee,
to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor
trustee.
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ARTICLE 7
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
SECTION 7.01. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.
Every Holder of Senior Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company or the Trustee or any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of
any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance
with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was
derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing
any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).
SECTION 7.02. Reports by Trustee.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15
after the first issuance of Senior Notes, the Trustee shall transmit to the
Holders, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), a brief
report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA Section 313(a).
ARTICLE 8
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
SECTION 8.01. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
(a) The Company will not, in a single transaction or through a series of
transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person (other
than a Restricted Subsidiary) or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets as an
entirety to any other Person or Persons (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) or
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or
series of transactions if such transaction or series of transactions, in the
aggregate, would result in the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as an
entirety to any other Person or Persons (other than a Restricted Subsidiary),
unless at the time and immediately after giving effect thereto:
(i) either (x) if the transaction is a consolidation or merger, the
Company will be the continuing corporation or (y) the Person (if other than
the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is merged or the Person that acquires by sale,
assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition all or substantially
all the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as an entirety (the "SURVIVING
ENTITY") (A) will be a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of Argentina, and (B) will expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the Company's
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obligation for the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest (and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if
any) on all the Senior Notes and the performance and observance of every
covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or
observed;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any obligation of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection with or as a
result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been
incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default
will have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any obligation of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in connection with or as a
result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been
incurred at the time of such transaction), the Consolidated Net Worth of
the Company (or of the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the
continuing obligor under this Indenture) is equal to or greater than the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction
or series of transactions;
(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis (on the assumption that the transaction
or series of transactions occurred on the first day of the four-quarter
period used to calculate the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the transaction or
series of transactions being included in such pro forma calculation), the
Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the continuing
obligor under this Indenture) could incur at least US$1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under the provisions of
Section 10.10;
(v) each Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, unless it is the other party to
the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture
confirmed that its Subsidiary Guarantee will apply to such Person's
obligations under this Indenture and the Senior Notes;
(vi) if any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries would thereupon become subject to any Lien, the
provisions of Section 10.14 are complied with; and
(vii) the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the
Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an
Officers' Certificate (attaching the computations to demonstrate compliance
with clauses (iii) and (iv) above) and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating
that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer,
lease or other disposition, and if a supplemental indenture is required in
connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with
the requirements of this
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Indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating
to such transaction have been complied with.
(b) Each Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, will not, and the Company will not
permit a Subsidiary Guarantor to, in a single transaction or through a series of
transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person (other
than the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor) or sell, assign, convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and
assets as an entirety to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company or
any Subsidiary Guarantor) or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter
into any such transaction or series of transactions if such transaction or
series of transactions, in the aggregate, would result in the sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as an entirety to any other Person or
Persons (other than the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor), unless at the time
and after giving effect thereto:
(i) either (x) if the transaction is a consolidation or merger, such
Subsidiary Guarantor will be the continuing corporation or (y) the Person
(if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or
into which such Subsidiary Guarantor or its Restricted Subsidiary is merged
or the Person that acquires by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer,
lease or disposition all or substantially all of the properties and assets
of such Subsidiary Guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis as an entirety (the "SURVIVING GUARANTOR ENTITY") will
be a corporation duly organized and validly existing under (A) the laws of
Argentina or (B) the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Subsidiary
Guarantor was organized and will expressly assume by a supplemental
indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such
Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any obligation of the
Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred in
connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of
transactions as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no
Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) such Subsidiary Guarantor or the Surviving Guarantor Entity will
have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition and such supplemental indenture
comply with the requirements of this Indenture and that all conditions
precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been
complied with.
SECTION 8.02. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and
assets of the Company
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or any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 8.01 in which the Company
or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is not the continuing obligor
under this Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantee, the Surviving Entity or
Surviving Guarantor Entity, as the case may be, shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantee, as
the case may be, with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the
Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor therein; and any Senior Note authenticated
or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition may be exchanged as provided in Section
3.03. When a successor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under this
Indenture, the Senior Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee, the predecessor shall be
released from those obligations; provided that, in the case of a transfer by
lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the payment of principal,
premium, if any (and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any), and
interest on the Senior Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be.
SECTION 8.03. Senior Notes to Be Secured in Certain Events.
If, upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor with or into any other Person, or upon any sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of the property of the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any other Person, any
property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may
be, would thereupon become subject to any Lien, then unless such Lien could be
created pursuant to Section 10.14 without equally and ratably securing the
Senior Notes, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be,
prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment,
conveyance, lease, transfer or disposition, will as to such property or assets,
secure the Senior Notes then Outstanding (together with, if the Company or such
Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall so determine, any other
Indebtedness of the Company now existing or hereinafter created which is not
subordinate in right of payment to the Senior Notes) equally and ratably with
(or prior to) the Indebtedness which upon such consolidation, sale, assignment,
merger, conveyance, lease, transfer or disposition is to become secured as to
such property or assets by such Lien, or will cause such Senior Notes to be so
secured.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
SECTION 9.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any
Holders, the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, and the Trustee, at any
time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental
hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
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(a) to the extent permitted by Argentine law, to evidence the succession of
another Person to the Company, a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on
the Senior Notes, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of
the Company or such obligor or Subsidiary Guarantor contained in this Indenture
and in the Senior Notes and in any Guarantee in accordance with Sections 8.01
and 8.02 hereof;
(b) to add to the covenants of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any
other obligor upon the Senior Notes for the benefit of the Holders or to
surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes, as applicable, in this
Indenture, in the Senior Notes or in any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(c) to cure any ambiguity, or to correct or supplement any provision in
this Indenture, in the Senior Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee which may be
defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Indenture, in the
Senior Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee or make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, under the Senior
Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that, in each case, such provisions
shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders;
(d) to comply with the requirements of the Commission in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(e) to add a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture;
(f) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.09;
(g) to secure the Senior Notes pursuant to the requirements of to Sections
8.03, 10.14 or otherwise; or
(h) to provide for the issuance and authentication of the Series B Senior
Notes in exchange for the Series A Senior Notes in compliance with this
Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement.
SECTION 9.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes, by Act of said Holders delivered to the
Company and the Trustee, the Company, each affected Subsidiary Guarantor and the
Trustee may 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 modifying in any manner the rights of
the Holders under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of 75% in aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding, amend, change or modify
the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer
in the event of a Change of Control in accordance with Section 10.15, including,
in each case, amending, changing or modifying, in any material respect, any
definition
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relating thereto in accordance with Section 10.17; provided further that no such
supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby:
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of or any installment of
interest on any Senior Note, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium,
if any) or the rate of interest thereon or any Additional Amount or Liquidated
Damages payable thereon, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or
currency in which, the principal of any Senior Note or any premium or the
interest thereon or any Liquidated Damages or any Subsidiary Guarantee is
payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or
after the Redemption Date); or
(b) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental
indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of
compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture; or
(c) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Sections 5.13 and
10.21, except to increase the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
Senior Notes or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot
be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding
Senior Note affected thereby; or
(d) consent to the assignment, transfer or release by the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor of or from any of their rights or obligations under the
Indenture; or
(e) modify any provision of the Senior Notes which would constitute a
"fundamental change" as contemplated by Article 354 of Argentine Law No. 19,550,
as amended, and Article 14 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law.
It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.
SECTION 9.03. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such
supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.04. Effect of Supplement Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture
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shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Senior
Notes theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be
bound thereby.
SECTION 9.05. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the Article shall conform
to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 9.06. Reference in Senior Notes to Supplemental Indenture.
Senior Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may bear a notation as to any
matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so
determine, new Senior Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
Outstanding Senior Notes.
SECTION 9.07. Notice of Supplemental Indentures.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.02, the Company
shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Senior Note
affected, in the manner provided for in Section 1.06, setting forth in general
terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.
SECTION 9.08. Meetings of Holders.
(a) The Trustee or the Company shall, upon the request of the holders of at
least five percent (5%) in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the
time Outstanding, or the Company or the Trustee may, at its discretion, call a
meeting of the Holders at any time and from time to time, to make, give or take
any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided by the Senior Notes to be made, given or taken by the Holders.
(b) With respect to all matters not contemplated in this Indenture,
meetings of holders will be held in accordance with the Argentine Negotiable
Obligations Law. The meetings will be held in the City of Buenos Aires;
provided, however, that at the request of any holder or the Trustee, such
meeting will be held simultaneously in the City of Buenos Aires and in The City
of New York by any means of telecommunication which permits the participants to
hear and to speak to each other. In any case, such meetings shall be held at
such time and at such place as the Company or the Trustee shall determine. If a
meeting is being held pursuant to a request of Holders, the agenda for the
meeting shall be as determined in the request and such meeting shall be convened
within forty (40) days from the date such request is received by the Trustee or
the Company, as the case may be. Notice of any meeting of Holders (which shall
include the date, place and time of the meeting, the agenda therefor and the
requirements to attend) shall be given not less than ten (10) days nor more than
thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting in the Boletin Oficial
de la Republica Argentina and in a newspaper of
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general circulation in Argentina and so long as the Senior Notes are listed on
the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, in the Bulletin of the Buenos Aires Stock
Exchange and also in the manner provided under Section 1.06 hereof and any
publication thereof shall be for five consecutive business days in each place of
publication.
(c) Any Holder may attend the meeting in person or by proxy. Directors,
officers, managers and employees of the Company cannot be appointed as proxies.
Holders of Senior Notes who intend to attend a meeting of Holders must notify
the Registrar of their intention to do so at least three (3) days prior to the
date of such meeting.
(d) The quorum at any meeting to adopt a resolution will be persons holding
or representing 60% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the
time Outstanding; provided, however, that at any such reconvened meeting
adjourned for lack of the requisite quorum, the quorum will be persons holding
or representing 30% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes then
Outstanding.
(e) Decisions shall be made by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Holders in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time
Outstanding present or represented at a meeting of such Holders at which a
quorum is present; provided, however, that the unanimous affirmative vote of the
Holders shall be required to adopt a valid decision on any of the matters
specified in Section 9.02(a)-(g) as requiring the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Senior Note affected thereby. For purposes of any meeting of Holders
of Senior Notes, each US$1.00 of face value of the Outstanding Senior Notes
shall entitle the Holder of a Senior Note to one vote.
Except as provided above, any modifications, amendments or waivers to the
terms and conditions of the Senior Notes will be conclusive and binding on all
Holders, whether or not present at any meeting, and whether or not notation of
such modifications, amendments or waivers is made upon the Senior Notes if duly
passed at a meeting convened and held in accordance with the provisions of the
Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law.
ARTICLE 10
COVENANTS
SECTION 10.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, If Any, Interest, Liquidated
Damages, If Any, and Additional Amounts, If Any.
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders that it
will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
and Additional Amounts and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Senior Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Senior Notes and this Indenture. The Company
covenants and agrees for the benefit of Holders that it will pay all Liquidated
Damages, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in
the Registration Rights Agreement.
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SECTION 10.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in each of The City of Buenos Aires and The City
of New York an office or agency where Senior Notes may be presented or
surrendered for payment, where Senior Notes may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Senior Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee shall be such office or agency of the Company in The
City of New York and the specified office of the Registrar shall be such office
or agency in The City of Buenos Aires, unless the Company shall designate and
maintain some other office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the
location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to
maintain any such required 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 or at the
specified office of the Registrar, and the Company hereby appoints each of the
Trustee and the Registrar as 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 (in or outside of The City of New York) where the Senior Notes may
be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to
time rescind any such designation; 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 New York for such purposes. The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation
or rescission and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 10.03. Money for Senior 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 of (or premium, if any), interest or
Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any of the Senior Notes,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a
sum sufficient to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest so
becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons 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 for the Senior
Notes, it will, on or before 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the Business Day
prior to each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest or
Liquidated Damages on any Senior Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum
sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest or Liquidated
Damages so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the
Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying
Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of such
action or any failure so to act.
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The Company will cause each Paying Agent not appointed hereunder 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, that such Paying
Agent will:
(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest or Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if
any, on Senior Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto
until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein
provided;
(b) give the Trustee prompt written notice of any default by the Company or
a Subsidiary Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Senior Notes) in the
making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest or
Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any; and
(c) 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 satisfaction
and 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, 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
sums.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any)
or interest or Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Senior
Note and remaining unclaimed for three years after such principal, premium or
interest or Additional Amounts or Liquidated Damages, if any, has become due and
payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Senior Note
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, (i) in a newspaper published
in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of
general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and (ii)
in a newspaper published in the Spanish language and of general circulation in
Argentina, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date
specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such
publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid
to the Company.
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SECTION 10.04. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate
existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and each
Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to
preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine
that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as a whole and that the loss
thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 10.05. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income,
profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims
for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien
upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or
discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability
or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
SECTION 10.06. Maintenance of Properties.
The Company will cause all properties owned by the Company or any
Subsidiary or used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair
and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be
made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements
thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall
prevent the Company from discontinuing the maintenance of any of such properties
if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the
conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary and not
disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 10.07. Insurance.
The Company will at all times keep all of its and its Subsidiaries'
properties which are of an insurable nature insured with insurers, believed by
the Company to be responsible, against loss or damage to the extent that
property of similar character is usually so insured by corporations similarly
situated and owning like properties.
SECTION 10.08. Statement by Officers as to Default.
(a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end
of each fiscal year and 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a brief
certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or
principal accounting officer
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as to his or her knowledge of the Company's compliance with all conditions and
covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 10.08(a), such
compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or
requirement of notice under this Indenture.
(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture,
the Company shall deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by
telex or facsimile transmission an Officers' Certificate specifying such event
within ten Business Days of its occurrence.
SECTION 10.09. Payment of Additional Amounts.
Unless otherwise required by law, all payments made by the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor will be made without withholding or deduction for or on
account of any Taxes of whatever nature imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed by or within Argentina or any authority therein or thereof or having
power to tax. In the event any such Taxes are so imposed on any payments made by
the Company or any such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company or such Subsidiary
Guarantor, as the case may be, will pay such Additional Amounts as may be
necessary in order that the net amounts received by each Holder (including
Additional Amounts) after any withholding or deduction in respect of such Taxes
shall equal the respective amounts of principal, premium, if any, and interest
that would have been received in respect of the Senior Notes in the absence of
such withholding or deduction; except that no such Additional Amounts will be
payable with respect to any withholding or deduction in respect of any payment
under a Senior Note or a Subsidiary Guarantee to, or to a third party on behalf
of, a Holder for or on account of any such Taxes imposed (i) by reason of the
Holder being a resident of Argentina or having some connection with Argentina
(or any political subdivision or authority thereof) other than the mere holding
of such Senior Note or Subsidiary Guarantee or the receipt of any payment
thereunder or the exercise of rights under the Senior Notes, the Subsidiary
Guarantee or the Indenture; (ii) if presentation is required in respect of a
Senior Note or a Subsidiary Guarantee, by reason of presentation by the Holder
for payment on a date more than thirty (30) days after the date on which such
payment became due and payable or the date on which such payment is duly
provided, whichever occurs later, except to the extent that the Holder would
have been entitled to such Additional Amounts on presenting such Senior Note or
Subsidiary Guarantee for payment on the last date of such period of thirty (30)
days; (iii) in respect of any estate, asset (other than Personal Asset Taxes),
inheritance, gift, sales or transfer tax or similar tax assessment or
governmental charge; (iv) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge
(other than Personal Asset Taxes, which is payable otherwise than by withholding
from payments on or in respect of any Senior Note; or (v) any combination of the
reasons set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above. Furthermore, no
Additional Amounts shall be paid to a Holder that is a fiduciary or partnership
or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent that a
beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such
partnership or beneficial owner would not have been entitled to receive the
Additional Amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner
been the Holder.
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At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or
with respect to the Senior Notes is due and payable, if the Company or any
Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts
with respect to such payment, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the fact that such
Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and will set forth
such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional
Amounts to Holders on the payment date and specifying the amount required to be
deducted or withheld on the payments of principal and interest (and premium, if
any) due on such payment date for or on account of Taxes and certifying that
such amount will be deducted or withheld and paid by the Company or Subsidiary
Guarantor, as the case may be, to the appropriate taxing or governmental
authority. The Company hereby agrees to indemnify each of the Trustee, the
Principal Paying Agent and each other paying agent for, and to hold it harmless
against any loss, liability, or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith
or wilful misconduct on its part, arising out of or in connection with actions
taken or omitted by it in reliance on any certificate furnished pursuant to this
Section or the failure to furnish such a certificate. The obligations of the
Company under this Section shall survive the payment of the Senior Notes and the
resignation or removal of the Trustee, the Principal Paying Agent or any other
paying agent and the termination of this Indenture. Whenever in the Indenture
there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any,
interest or any other amount payable, under or with respect to any Senior Note
or Subsidiary Guarantee, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the
payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such context, Additional
Amounts are payable in respect thereof.
If the Company is held liable for any Personal Asset Taxes imposed on the
Holders or direct owners of Senior Notes with respect to the Senior Notes, the
Company has agreed to waive any right that it may have as a matter of Argentine
law to seek reimbursement from such Holders or direct owners of Senior Notes for
any such Personal Asset Taxes paid.
In addition, the Company will pay any stamp, issue, registration,
documentary or other similar taxes and duties, including interest and penalties,
payable in Argentina or the United States or any political subdivision thereof
or taxing authority thereof or in the foregoing in respect of the creation,
issue and offering of the Senior Notes, and will pay any court, documentary or
similar taxes and duties required to be paid in connection with the enforcement
of the Senior Notes following the incurrence of any Event of Default.
SECTION 10.10. Limitation on Indebtedness.
(a) (i) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness
(including without limitation Acquired Indebtedness), and (ii) the Company will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue (except if issued to or
owned beneficially and of record by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) any Preferred Stock; provided that (x) the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Permitted Indebtedness and
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(y) the Company may incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect thereto, the
Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on the date thereof would be
at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis as if the incurrence of
such additional Indebtedness, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom,
had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter period used to calculate the
Company's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of Subsidiary Guarantor
to, incur any Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to any other
Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such
Indebtedness by its terms is also expressly made subordinated to the Senior
Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of a
Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 10.11. Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions:
(i) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution to holders
of, any shares of the Capital Stock of the Company (other than dividends or
distributions payable solely in shares of its Qualified Capital Stock or in
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Qualified
Capital Stock);
(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value,
directly or indirectly, any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock;
(iii) make any principal payment on, or repurchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled principal
payment, sinking fund payment or final maturity, any Subordinated
Indebtedness;
(iv) make any Investment (other than any Permitted Investment) in any
Person (including, without limitation, any Unrestricted Subsidiary); or
(v) (x) declare or pay any dividend or distribution on any Capital
Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than (I) to the Company or any
wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary or (II) to all holders of Capital Stock
of a non-wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis) or (y)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock
of any Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company (other
than another Restricted Subsidiary),
(such payments or other actions described in (but not excluded from) clauses (i)
through (v) are collectively referred to as "RESTRICTED PAYMENTS"), unless at
the time of, and immediately after giving effect to, the proposed Restricted
Payment (the amount of any such Restricted Payment, if other than cash, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall
be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution), (1) no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
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(2) the Company could incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other
than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 10.10 hereof and (3) the
aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made after the first day
of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which the Original Issue Date occurs
shall not exceed the sum of:
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company accrued on a
cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period)
beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which
the Original Issue Date occurs and ending on the last day of the Company's
latest fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such proposed Restricted
Payment for which consolidated financial information for the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries is available (or, if such aggregate cumulative
Consolidated Adjusted Net Income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such loss),
plus
(B) the aggregate net proceeds, including the fair market value of
property other than cash (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
good faith determination will be conclusive; provided that, for any
property whose fair market value exceeds $2.0 million, either the Company
shall have completed a Qualified Equity Offering or such fair market value
shall be confirmed by an independent appraisal from a recognized appraiser
provided by the Company) received after the Original Issue Date by the
Company as capital contributions, or from the issuance or sale (other than
to a Restricted Subsidiary) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the
Company (including upon the exercise of options, warrants or rights) or
warrants, options or rights to purchase shares of Qualified Capital Stock
of the Company (excluding any Qualified Capital Stock, or warrants, options
or rights to purchase shares of Qualified Capital Stock with respect to
which the purchase price thereof has been financed directly or indirectly
using funds (x) borrowed from the Company or from any Restricted
Subsidiary, unless and until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid or
(y) contributed, extended, guaranteed or advanced by the Company or by any
Restricted Subsidiary (including, without limitation, in respect of any
employee stock ownership or benefit plan)), plus
(C) the aggregate net proceeds, including the fair market value of
property other than cash (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
good faith determination will be conclusive; provided that, for any
property whose fair market value exceeds $2.0 million, either the Company
shall have completed a Qualified Equity Offering or such fair market value
shall be confirmed by an independent appraisal from a recognized appraiser
provided by the Company) received after the Original Issue Date by the
Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary)
of debt securities or Redeemable Capital Stock that have been converted
into or exchanged for Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, to the extent
such securities were originally sold for cash, together with the aggregate
net cash proceeds received by the Company at the time of such conversion or
exchange (determined, in the case of net proceeds other than cash as set
forth above), plus
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(D) to the extent not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income
of the Company, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in
Investments in any Person (other than reductions in Permitted Investments)
resulting from the payment in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends,
repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each case
to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Original Issue Date
from such Person and (ii) the portion (proportionate to the Company's
equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net
assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted
Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that
in the case of (i) or (ii) above the foregoing sum shall not exceed the
amount of Investments previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment)
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary may take the following actions (so long as, with respect to clauses
(iv) and (v) below, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing):
(i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration the payment of such
dividend would have complied with the provisions of paragraph (a) above and
such payment will be deemed to have been paid on such date of declaration
for purposes of the calculation required by paragraph (a) above;
(ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any shares of Capital Stock of the Company in exchange for, or out
of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance and sale
(other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, shares of Qualified Capital
Stock of the Company;
(iii) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or
out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance and
sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, shares of Qualified
Capital Stock of the Company;
(iv) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or out
of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent incurrence (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, new Subordinated Indebtedness so long
as (A) the principal amount of such new Subordinated Indebtedness does not
exceed the principal amount (or, if such Subordinated Indebtedness being
refinanced provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to
be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser
amount as of the date of determination) of the Subordinated Indebtedness
being so purchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired, (B) such new
Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes to the same
extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness and (C) such new Subordinated
Indebtedness has (x) an Average Life longer than the Average Life of the
Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased,
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redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired plus one year and (y) a final
Stated Maturity of principal later than the final Stated Maturity of
principal of the Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, redeemed,
defeased, acquired or retired plus one year; and
(v) make other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not in excess
of US$5 million.
The actions described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (v) of this paragraph (b)
shall be Restricted Payments that shall be permitted to be taken in accordance
with this paragraph (b) but shall reduce the amount that would otherwise be
available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of paragraph (a) above and
the actions described in clause (i) and (iv) of this paragraph (b) shall be
Restricted Payments that shall be permitted to be taken in accordance with this
paragraph (b) and shall not (except, in the case of clause (i), to the extent of
the deemed payment therein described) reduce the amount that would otherwise be
available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of paragraph (a).
(c) In computing Consolidated Net Income of the Company under paragraph (a)
above, (1) the Company shall use audited financial statements for the portions
of the relevant period for which audited financial statements are available on
the date of determination and unaudited financial statements and other current
financial data based on the books and records of the Company for the remaining
portion of such period and (2) the Company shall be permitted to rely in good
faith on the financial statements and other financial data derived from the
books and records of the Company that are available on the date of
determination.
SECTION 10.12. Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue or sell any
Capital Stock (other than to the Company or a wholly-owned Restricted
Subsidiary); provided, however, that this covenant shall not prohibit any
issuance or sale of the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary if
immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted
Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment
in such Person remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have
been permitted to be made under Section 10.11 hereof if made on the date of such
issuance or sale.
SECTION 10.13. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series
of related transactions (each of the foregoing, an "AFFILIATE TRANSACTION")
(including, without limitation, the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets,
property or services) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Exempted Affiliate Transactions),
unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is fair from a financial point of view to
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and is on
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terms that are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be, than those that could have been obtained in an arms-length
transaction with third parties that are not Affiliates, (ii) with respect to any
Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate consideration equal to or greater than
US$5 million (or, to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar
Equivalent of such amount), the Company will deliver an officer's certificate to
the Trustee certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i)
above and such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the
Disinterested Directors of the Company or, in the event no members of the Board
of Directors of the Company are Disinterested Directors with respect to any
Affiliate Transaction included in this clause (ii), the Company will obtain a
written opinion from a recognized U.S. investment banking firm, appraisal firm
or independent public accounting firm certifying that such Affiliate Transaction
is fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a
financial point of view and (iii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction
involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$10 million (or, to the extent
non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount), the Company
will obtain a written opinion from a recognized United States investment banking
firm, appraisal firm or independent public accounting firm to the effect set
forth in the preceding clause (ii).
SECTION 10.14. Limitation on Liens.
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any
kind (other than Permitted Liens) on or with respect to any of its property or
assets, including any shares of stock or indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary, whether owned at the Original Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or
any income, profits or proceeds therefrom, or assign or otherwise convey any
right to receive income thereon, unless (x) in the case of any Lien securing
Subordinated Indebtedness, the Senior Notes are secured by a Lien on such
property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Lien and (y) in
the case of any other Lien, the Senior Notes are equally and ratably secured
with the obligation or liability secured by such Lien.
SECTION 10.15. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries.
The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu
with or subordinate in right of payment to the Senior Notes ("OTHER GUARANTEED
INDEBTEDNESS"), unless (i) such Guarantee is otherwise permitted under the terms
of this Indenture, (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and
delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a Guarantee of
the Senior Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) such Restricted
Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation
or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a
result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary
Guarantee. If the Other Guaranteed Indebtedness is (A) pari passu with the
Senior Notes, then the guarantee of such Other Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be
pari passu
104
with, or subordinated to, such Subsidiary Guarantee, or (B) subordinated to the
Senior Notes, then the guarantee of such Other Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be
subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that the Other
Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Restricted
Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer,
to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's and each
Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets
of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not
prohibited by the Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the Guarantee
which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge
or release by or as a result of payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under such
Guarantee.
SECTION 10.16. Purchase of Senior Notes upon a Change of Control.
(a) If a Change of Control shall occur at any time, then each Holder of
Senior Notes shall have the right to require that the Company purchase such
Holder's Senior Notes, in whole or in part in integral multiples of US$1,000, at
a purchase price (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PURCHASE PRICE") in cash in an amount
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, to
the date of purchase (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PURCHASE DATE"), pursuant to the
offer and the other procedures described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this
Section (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER").
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall
notify the Trustee in writing thereof and give written notice of such Change of
Control to each Holder of Senior Notes in the manner provided in Section 1.06,
stating:
(i) that a Change in Control has occurred and that such Holder has the
right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder's Senior Notes at
the Change of Control Purchase Price;
(ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change in
Control (including but not limited to information with respect to pro forma
historical income, cash flow and capitalization after giving effect to such
Change in Control);
(iii) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the Change of Control
Purchase Date, which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor
later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed;
(iv) that all Senior Notes validly tendered will be accepted for
payment and that any Senior Note not tendered shall continue to accrue
interest;
(v) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of
Control Purchase Price, any Senior Notes accepted for payment pursuant to
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the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change
of Control Purchase Date; and
(vi) the instructions that a Holder of Senior Notes must follow to
accept a Change of Control Offer or to withdraw such acceptance in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(c) Holders electing to have Senior Notes purchased will be required to
surrender such Senior Notes to the Company at the address specified in the
notice at least five Business Days prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date.
Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company receives, not
later than three Business Days prior to the Change of Control Purchase Date, a
telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder,
the principal amount of the Senior Notes delivered for purchase by the Holder as
to which his election is to be withdrawn and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Senior Notes purchased. Holders whose
Senior Notes are purchased only in part will be issued new Senior Notes equal in
principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes surrendered.
(d) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, create or permit to exist or become effective any restriction (other than
restrictions existing under Indebtedness as in effect on the Original Issue Date
and any refinancings thereof) that would materially impair the ability of the
Company to make a Change of Control Offer to purchase the Senior Notes or, if
such Change of Control Offer is made, to pay for the Senior Notes tendered for
purchase.
SECTION 10.17. Limitation on Sale of Assets.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
engage in any Asset Sale unless (i) the consideration received by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary for such Asset Sale is not less than the Fair Market
Value of the assets sold, (ii) the aggregate Fair Market Value of the
consideration received from any Asset Sale that is not in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents shall not, when aggregated with the Fair Market Value of all
other non-cash consideration received by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries from all previous Asset Sales since the Original Issue Date that
have not, prior to such date, been converted to cash or Cash Equivalents, exceed
five percent of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company at the time of
the Asset Sale under consideration; and provided, that, with respect to any
Asset Sales to Affiliates of the Company, the Company receives consideration
consisting of no less than 85% cash or Cash Equivalents and (iii) immediately
before and immediately giving effect to such Asset Sale, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing. For purposes of clause (ii)
above, any Indebtedness or other liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such
Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any Subsidiary (other
than contingent liabilities) that are assumed by the transferee in connection
with an Asset Sale shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents, but only to the
extent such assumption is effected on a basis under which there is no recourse
to the
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Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to such Indebtedness or
other liabilities.
(b) If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale,
the Company may use the Net Cash Proceeds thereof, within 12 months after such
Asset Sale, to (i) permanently repay or prepay any then outstanding senior
Indebtedness of the Company or senior Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
or (ii) invest (or enter into a legally binding commitment to invest) in
properties and assets to replace the properties and assets that were the subject
of the Asset Sale or in properties and assets that will be used in any line or
lines of business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Original
Issue Date or which are related, ancillary or complementary thereto; provided
that any such investment shall be completed within 24 months of such Asset Sale.
The amount of such Net Cash Proceeds not so used as set forth above in this
paragraph (b) constitutes "EXCESS PROCEEDS" provided that no investment
commitment referred to in clause (ii) above shall constitute a use of Net Cash
Proceeds unless such Net Cash Proceeds are actually so invested within 24 months
of such Asset Sale.
(c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds US$5 million (or,
to the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such
amount), the Company shall, within 20 business days, make an offer to purchase
(an "EXCESS PROCEEDS OFFER") from all holders of Senior Notes and from the
holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness of the Company, to the extent required by the
terms thereof, on a pro rata basis, in accordance with the procedures set forth
in this Indenture or the agreements governing any such Pari Passu Indebtedness,
the maximum principal amount (expressed as a multiple of US$1,000) of Senior
Notes and any such other Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased with the
Excess Proceeds. The offer price as to each Senior Note and any such other Pari
Passu Indebtedness shall be payable in cash (the "OFFERED PRICE") in an amount
equal to (solely in the case of the Senior Notes) 100% of the principal amount
of such Senior Note and (solely in the case of such other Pari Passu
Indebtedness) no greater than 100% of the principal amount (or accreted value,
as applicable) of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, plus in each case accrued
interest, if any, and any Liquidated Damages and Additional Amounts with respect
thereto to the date such Excess Proceeds Offer is consummated. To the extent
that the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes and any such other Pari
Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer is less than
the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use the portion of the Excess Proceeds not
required to be used to repurchase the Senior Notes and such other Pari Passu
Indebtedness for general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount
of Senior Notes and any such other Pari Passu Indebtedness validly tendered and
not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the Excess Proceeds, the Senior Notes
and any such other Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased will be selected on a
pro rata basis (based upon the principal amount of Senior Notes and the
principal amount or accreted value of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness
tendered by each holder). Upon completion of such Exceeds Proceeds Offer, the
amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
(d) The Company shall, within the time period provided in paragraph (c)
above, notify the Trustee in writing of any Excess Proceeds Offer and shall give
written
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notice of such Excess Proceeds Offer to each Holder of Senior Notes in the
manner provided in Section 1.06 stating:
(i) that the Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase
such Holder's Senior Notes at the Offered Price (including any Liquidated
Damages and Additional Amounts) subject to proration in the event the
Excess Proceeds are less than the aggregate Offered Price (including any
Liquidated Damages and Additional Amounts) of all Senior Notes and Pari
Passu Indebtedness tendered;
(ii) the date of purchase of Senior Notes pursuant to the Excess
Proceeds Offer (the "ASSET SALE PURCHASE DATE"), which shall be no earlier
than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, or
such later date as is necessary to comply with requirements under the
Exchange Act or any applicable securities laws or regulations;
(iii) that any Senior Note not tendered will continue to accrue
interest;
(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Offered
Price, any Senior Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Excess Proceeds
Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Asset Sale Purchase Date;
and
(v) the instructions a Holder must follow to accept an Excess Proceeds
Offer or to withdraw such acceptance in accordance with paragraph (e) of
this Section.
(e) Holders electing to have Senior Notes purchased will be required to
surrender such Senior Notes to the Company at the address specified in the
notice at least five Business Days prior to the Asset Sale Purchase Date.
Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company receives, not
later than three Business Days prior to the Asset Sale Purchase Date, a telex,
facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the
principal amount of the Senior Notes delivered for purchase by the Holder as to
which his election is to be withdrawn and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Senior Notes purchased. Holders whose
Senior Notes are purchased only in part will be issued new Senior Notes equal in
principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes surrendered.
SECTION 10.18. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with
respect to any property or assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired),
unless (i) the sale or transfer of such property or assets to be leased is
treated as an Asset Sale and the Company complies with Section 10.17 with
respect thereto, (ii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
permitted to incur Indebtedness under clause (a) of Section 10.10 in the amount
of the Attributable Value incurred in respect of such Sale and Leaseback
Transaction and (iii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
permitted to ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇ under
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Section 10.14 to secure the amount of the Attributable Value in respect of such
Sale and Leaseback Transaction.
SECTION 10.19. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Securities.
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any
other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, (b) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (c) make
loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or (d)
transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary (other than customary restrictions on transfers of property subject
to a Lien permitted under this Indenture that would not materially adversely
affect the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations under the Senior Notes
and this Indenture), except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under
or by reason of (i) any agreement in effect on the Original Issue Date (any such
agreement which relates to a US Dollar amount in excess of US$1,000,000 (or, to
the extent non-US Dollar denominated, the US Dollar Equivalent of such amount)
being listed on a schedule attached thereto), (ii) applicable law, (iii)
customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease or
assignment of any other contract to which the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary is a party or to which any of their respective properties or assets
are subject, (iv) any agreement or other instrument of a Person, or binding with
respect to assets, acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation
thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or
the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property
or assets of the Person, or such assets, so acquired, (v) any encumbrance or
restriction contained in contracts for sales of assets permitted by Section
10.17 hereof with respect to the assets to be sold pursuant to such contract,
(vi) any agreement providing for the incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary in compliance with Section 10.10 hereof, provided that such
Restricted Subsidiary is or becomes at the time of such agreement a Subsidiary
Guarantor; (vii) any agreement pursuant to which Indebtedness was issued if (A)
the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or
a default with respect to a financial covenant contained in such Indebtedness,
(B) the encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the
holders of the Senior Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as
determined by the Company) and (C) the Company determines that any such
encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the Company's ability to
make principal or interest payments on the Senior Notes, and (viii) any
encumbrance or restriction existing under any agreement that extends, renews,
refinances or replaces the agreements containing the encumbrances or
restrictions in the foregoing clauses (i) and (vii); provided that the terms and
conditions of any such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially less
favorable to the holders of the Senior Notes than those under or pursuant to the
agreement so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced.
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SECTION 10.20. Provision of Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) The Company shall provide to the Trustee, holders of Senior Notes and
the Initial Purchaser: (i) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of
the Company, audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for such
fiscal year and (ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three
fiscal quarters of the Company, unaudited consolidated financial statements of
the Company for such fiscal quarter. Each of the financial statements referred
to in (i) and (ii) shall be prepared in accordance with Argentine GAAP
consistently applied, shall be translated into English, and shall be accompanied
by a discussion and analysis, substantially in the format of the "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" that
would be included in a Form 20-F filed under the Exchange Act, except that such
discussion and analysis will be required only to compare the financial condition
and results of operations of the fiscal year or fiscal quarter most recently
ended to the prior fiscal year or comparable fiscal quarter of the prior fiscal
year, as applicable. The financial statements referred to in (i) shall contain a
reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders' equity and a report
thereon by the Company's independent auditors. In addition, from and after the
earlier of (i) the date of the commencement of the Exchange Offer or the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) September 30, 1998 in
either case, whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the Company will file a
copy of all such information and reports with the Commission for public
availability (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such
information and reports available to securities analysts, broker-dealers and
prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Company shall provide to
the Trustee, holders of Senior Notes and the Initial Purchaser an English
translation of each document filed by the Company with the CNV and made publicly
available in Argentina. Furthermore, for so long as any of the Senior Notes
remain outstanding, the Company has agreed to make available to any prospective
purchaser of the Senior Notes, upon request by a holder, or to any beneficial
owner of the Senior Notes in connection with any sale thereof, the information
required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(b) The Company and any Subsidiary Guarantors shall at all times comply
with the periodic reporting requirements of the CNV and the BASE as in effect at
the time of reporting.
(c) The Company's delivery of such reports, information and documents to
the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such
shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).
SECTION 10.21. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Section 8.03 or Section 10.07 or Sections
10.10
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through 10.14, inclusive, or Sections 10.17 through 10.19, inclusive, if before
or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Notes, by Act of such Holders, waive
such compliance in such instance with such term, provision or condition, but no
such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except
to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become
effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in
respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and
effect.
ARTICLE 11
REDEMPTION OF SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 11.01. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Senior Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole
or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after April 1, 2003, and
prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, at
the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued and unpaid interest, including Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing April 1 of
the years set forth below:
YEAR REDEMPTION PRICE
---- ----------------
2003 105.875%
2004 103.917%
2005 101.958%
2006 and hereafter 100.000%
Any such redemption shall be made on a pro rata basis among all holders of
Senior Notes.
(b) At anytime on or prior to April 1, 2001, the Company may redeem up to
35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes within 60
days after any sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock
(other than Redeemable Capital Stock) with the net proceeds of such sale at a
redemption price equal to 111.75% of the principal amount thereof, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on relevant
Interest Payment Dates), provided that no less than US$100 million aggregate
principal amount of the Senior Notes remains Outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of any such redemption. Any such redemption shall be made on a pro
rata basis among all holders of Senior Notes.
(c) If at any time after the Original Issue Date and prior to April 1, 2003
as a result of a Change in Law, the Company becomes obligated to pay any
Additional Amounts or any Personal Asset Taxes and such obligation cannot be
avoided by the Company taking reasonable measures available to it, then the
Senior Notes will be redeemable as a whole (but not in part), at the option of
the Company, at any time upon
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not less than thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days' notice given to
the Holders as provided herein at their principal amount together with accrued
interest thereon to the Redemption Date. The Company will also pay to the
holders on the Redemption Date any Additional Amounts which are then payable. In
order to effect such a redemption of the Senior Notes, the Company will be
required to deliver to the Trustee at least forty-five (45) days prior to the
Redemption Date an Officer's Certificate to the effect that the Company's
obligation to pay Additional Amounts or Personal Asset Taxes, as the case may
be, cannot be avoided by the Company taking reasonable measures available to it
and an opinion of independent legal counsel of recognized standing to the effect
that the Company has or will become obligated to pay such Additional Amounts or
Personal Asset Taxes, as the case may be, as a result of such Change in Law. No
notice of redemption may be given earlier than sixty (60) days prior to the
earliest date on which the Company would be obligated to pay such Additional
Amounts or Personal Asset Taxes, as the case may be, were a payment in respect
of the Senior Notes then due.
SECTION 11.02. Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Senior Notes at the election of the Company or otherwise, as
permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in
accordance with such provision and this Article.
SECTION 11.03. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Company to redeem any Senior Notes pursuant to Section
11.01 shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 11.01(b), in case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the
Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the
Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify
the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Senior Notes
to be redeemed and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records
as shall enable the Trustee to select the Senior Notes to be redeemed pursuant
to Section 11.04.
SECTION 11.04. Selection by Trustee of Senior Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all the Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the particular Senior
Notes to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Senior Notes not previously
called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions
of the principal of Senior Notes; provided, however, that no such partial
redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Senior Note not
redeemed to less than $1,000.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Senior
Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Senior Notes selected for
partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to redemption of Senior Notes shall relate, in the case
of any Senior
112
Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal
amount of such Senior Note which has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 11.05. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in Section
1.06 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to
each Holder of Senior Notes to be redeemed.
All notices of redemption shall include the "CUSIP" number and "CINS"
number shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date,
(b) the Redemption Price and the amount of accrued interest to the
Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 11.07, if any,
(c) if less than all Outstanding Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the
identification (and, in the case of a partial redemption, the principal
amounts) of the particular Senior Notes to be redeemed,
(d) in case any Senior Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice
which relates to such Senior Note shall state that on and after the
Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Senior Note, the holder will
receive, without charge, a new Senior Note or Senior Notes of authorized
denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(e) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price (and accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section
11.07) will become due and payable upon each such Senior Note, or the
portion thereof, to be redeemed, and that interest thereon will cease to
accrue on and after said date, and
(f) the place or places where such Senior Notes are to be surrendered
for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any.
Notice of redemption of Senior Notes to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request made at least
ten (10) days prior to the latest date notice to the Holders may be timely
given, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
SECTION 11.06. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ time) one Business Day prior to any
Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying
Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold
in trust as provided in Section 10.03) an amount of money sufficient to pay the
Redemption Price of, and any applicable Additional Amounts and accrued interest
and Liquidated Damages on, all the Senior Notes which are to be redeemed on that
date.
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SECTION 11.07. Senior Notes Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Senior Notes so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to
the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall
default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Senior
Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Senior Note for
redemption in accordance with said notice, such Senior Note shall be paid by the
Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the
Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest whose Stated
Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders
of such Senior Notes, or one or more Predecessor Senior Notes, registered as
such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their
terms and the provisions of Section 3.07.
If any Senior Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon
surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall,
until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the
Senior Notes.
SECTION 11.08. Senior Notes Redeemed in Part.
Any Senior Note which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered
at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to
Section 10.02 (with due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or such Holders attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of
such Senior Note without service charge, a new Senior Note or Senior Notes, of
any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Senior Note so surrendered.
ARTICLE 12
GUARANTEES OF THE SENIOR NOTES
SECTION 12.01. Guarantee.
Subject to the provisions of this Article Twelve, and as permitted by
Article 3 of the Argentine Negotiable Obligations Law, the Company will require
that any Subsidiary Guarantor which undertakes a Guarantee of the Senior Notes
will unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee to each Holder of a Senior Note
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors
and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture,
the Senior Notes or the obligations of the Company or any other subsequent
Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder,
that: (a) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes
(and any Additional Amounts payable thereon and any Liquidated Damages) shall be
duly and punctually paid in full when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption
at the
114
option of Holders pursuant to the provisions of the Senior Notes relating
thereto, by acceleration or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal and
(to the extent permitted by law) interest, if any, on the Senior Notes and all
other obligations of the Company or any subsequent Subsidiary Guarantors to the
Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder (including amounts due the
Trustee under Section 6.06 and Section 10.09 hereof) and all other Indenture
Obligations shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with
the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of
payment or renewal of any Senior Notes or any of such other Indenture
Obligations, the same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in
accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated
Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount
so guaranteed, or failing performance of any other obligation of the Company to
the Holders, for whatever reason, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be obligated
to pay, or to perform or cause the performance of, the same immediately. An
Event of Default under this Indenture or the Senior Notes shall constitute an
event of default under this Guarantee, and shall entitle the Holders of Senior
Notes to accelerate the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder in
the same manner and to the same extent as the obligations of the Company.
The Company will require that any such Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its
obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity,
regularity or enforceability of the Senior Notes or this Indenture, the absence
of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the
Senior Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, any release of
any other Subsidiary Guarantor, the recovery of any judgment against the
Company, any action to enforce the same, whether or not a Guarantee is affixed
to any particular Senior Note, or any other circumstance which might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Any such
Subsidiary Guarantor will waive the benefit of diligence, presentment, demand of
payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy
of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company,
protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Guarantee
shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations
contained in the Senior Notes, this Indenture and this Guarantee. Any such
Subsidiary Guarantor will acknowledge that the Guarantee is a guarantee of
payment and not of collection. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any
court or otherwise to return to the Company or to any Subsidiary Guarantor, or
any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation
to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or
such Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the
extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Any
such Subsidiary Guarantor will further agree that, as between it, on the one
hand, and the Holders of Senior Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a)
subject to this Article Twelve, the maturity of the obligations guaranteed
hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of
this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition
preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby,
and (b) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in
Article Five hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall
forthwith become due and payable by any such Subsidiary Guarantor for the
purpose of this Guarantee.
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Such Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be
effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company for liquidation
or reorganization, should the Company become insolvent or make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or
any significant part of the Company's assets, and shall, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be,
if at any time payment and performance of the Senior Notes are, pursuant to
applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or
returned by any obligee on the Senior Notes, whether as a "VOIDABLE PREFERENCE",
"FRAUDULENT TRANSFER" or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance
had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is
rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Senior Notes shall, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount
paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
SECTION 12.02. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.
To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 12.01, each
Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, will agree that a notation of such Guarantee,
substantially in the form included in Exhibit A of this Indenture, shall be
endorsed on each Senior Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. Such
Guarantee shall be executed on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor by either
manual or facsimile signature of two Officers of such Subsidiary Guarantor, each
of whom, in each case, shall have been duly authorized to so execute by all
requisite corporate action. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee
shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular
Senior Note.
Any Subsidiary Guarantor will agree that its Guarantee set forth in Section
12.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to
endorse on each Senior Note a notation of such Guarantee.
If an Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on a Guarantee
no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Senior
Note on which such Guarantee is endorsed or at any time thereafter, such
Subsidiary Guarantor's Guarantee of such Senior Note shall be valid
nevertheless.
The delivery of any Senior Note by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Guarantee set forth in
this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 12.03. Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor.
(a) If no Default exists or would exist under this Indenture, upon the sale
or disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction constituting
an Asset Sale the Net Cash Proceeds of which are applied in accordance with
Section 10.16, or upon the consolidation or merger of any Subsidiary Guarantor
with or into any person in compliance with Article Eight (in each case, other
than to the Company or an Affiliate of
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the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), such Subsidiary Guarantor and each
Subsidiary of the Subsidiary Guarantor that is also a Subsidiary Guarantor shall
be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all
obligations under this Article Twelve without any further action required on the
part of the Trustee or any Holder; provided, however, that the Subsidiary
Guarantor is sold or disposed of in accordance with this Indenture.
(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing the
release of the Subsidiary Guarantor upon receipt of a request of the Company or
the Subsidiary Guarantor accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion
of Counsel certifying as to the compliance with this Section 12.03. Any
Subsidiary Guarantor not so released or the entity surviving such Subsidiary
Guarantor, as applicable, shall remain or be liable under its Guarantee as
provided in this Article Twelve.
The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company
or any Subsidiary Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Subsidiary
Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee and under this Article
Twelve.
Except as set forth in Articles Eight and Ten and this Section 12.03,
nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Senior Notes shall prevent
any consolidation or merger of any Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company
or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of the Subsidiary
Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company.
SECTION 12.04. Waiver of Subrogation.
Until this Indenture is discharged and all of the Senior Notes are
discharged and paid in full, any Subsidiary Guarantor will irrevocably waive and
agree not to exercise any claim or other rights which it may have at the time
such Guarantee is made or thereafter acquire against the Company that arise from
the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of the Company's obligations
under the Senior Notes or this Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantor's
obligations under this Guarantee and this Indenture, in any such instance
including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement,
exoneration, contribution, indemnification, and any right to participate in any
claim or remedy of the Guaranteed Parties against the Company, whether or not
such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or
common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the
Company, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in
any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights.
If any amount shall be paid to the Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the
preceding sentence and any amounts owing to the Trustee or the Holders of Senior
Notes under the Senior Notes, this Indenture, or any other document or
instrument delivered under or in connection with such agreements or instruments,
shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have
been paid to the Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for
the benefit of, the Guaranteed Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the
Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied to the
obligations in favor of the Guaranteed Parties, whether matured or unmatured, in
accordance with the terms of this
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Indenture. The Subsidiary Guarantor will acknowledge that it will receive direct
and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this
Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 12.04 will be knowingly
made in contemplation of such benefits.
SECTION 12.05. Immediate Payment.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor will agree to make immediate payment to the
Trustee on behalf of the Guaranteed Parties of all Guaranteed Obligations owing
or payable to the respective Guaranteed Parties upon receipt of a demand for
payment therefor by the Trustee to such Subsidiary Guarantor in writing.
SECTION 12.06. No Set-off.
Each payment to be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder in respect of
the Guaranteed Obligations shall be payable in the currency or currencies in
which such Guaranteed Obligations are denominated, and shall be made without
set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
SECTION 12.07. Obligations Absolute.
The obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and
unconditional and any monies or amounts expressed to be owing or payable by the
Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder which may not be recoverable from the Subsidiary
Guarantor on the basis of a guarantee shall be recoverable from the Subsidiary
Guarantor as a primary obligor and principal debtor in respect thereof.
SECTION 12.08. Obligations Continuing.
The obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be continuing
and shall remain in full force and effect until all the Guaranteed Obligations
have been paid and satisfied in full.
SECTION 12.09. Obligations Not Reduced.
The obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be
satisfied, reduced or discharged by any intermediate payment or satisfaction of
the whole or any part of the principal, interest, fees and other monies or
amounts which may at any time be or become owing or payable under or by virtue
of or otherwise in connection with the Senior Notes or this Indenture.
SECTION 12.10. Obligations Reinstated.
The obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall continue to be
effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment
which would otherwise have reduced the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor
hereunder (whether such payment shall have been made by or on behalf of the
Company or by or on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantor) is rescinded or
reclaimed from any of the Guaranteed
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Parties upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of the
Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise, all as though such payment had
not been made. If demand for, or acceleration of the time for, payment by the
Company is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization
of the Company, all such indebtedness otherwise subject to demand for payment or
acceleration shall nonetheless be payable by the Subsidiary Guarantor as
provided herein.
SECTION 12.11. Obligations Not Affected.
The obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be
affected, impaired or diminished in any way by any act, omission, matter or
thing whatsoever, occurring before, upon or after any demand for payment
hereunder (and whether or not known or consented to by the Subsidiary Guarantor
or any of the Guaranteed Parties) which, but for this provision, might
constitute a whole or partial defense to a claim against the Subsidiary
Guarantor hereunder or might operate to release or otherwise exonerate any
Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its obligations hereunder or otherwise affect
such obligations, whether occasioned by default of any of the Guaranteed Parties
or otherwise, including, without limitation:
(a) any limitation of status or power, disability, incapacity or other
circumstance relating to the Company or any other person, including any
insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization, readjustment,
composition, dissolution, winding-up or other proceeding involving or
affecting the Company or any other person;
(b) any irregularity, defect, unenforceability or invalidity in respect
of any indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or any other person
under this Indenture, the Senior Notes or any other document or instrument;
(c) any failure of the Company, whether or not without fault on its
part, to perform or comply with any of the provisions of this Indenture or
the Senior Notes, or to give notice thereof to the Subsidiary Guarantor;
(d) the taking or enforcing or exercising or the refusal or neglect to
take or enforce or exercise any right or remedy from or against the Company
or any other person or their respective assets or the release or discharge
of any such right or remedy;
(e) the granting of time, renewals, extensions, compromises,
concessions, waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the
Company or any other person;
(f) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any
other term of, any of the Senior Notes, or any other amendment, variation,
supplement, replacement or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, any
of the Senior Notes or this Indenture, including, without limitation, any
increase or decrease in the principal amount of or premium, if any, or
interest on any of the Senior Notes;
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(g) any change in the ownership, control, name, objects, businesses,
assets, capital structure or constitution of the Company or the Subsidiary
Guarantor;
(h) any merger or amalgamation of the Company or the Subsidiary
Guarantor with any person or persons;
(i) the occurrence of any change in the laws, rules, regulations or
ordinances of any jurisdiction by any present or future action of any
governmental authority or court amending, varying, reducing or otherwise
affecting, or purporting to amend, vary, reduce or otherwise affect, any of
the Guaranteed Obligations or the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor
under its Guarantee; and
(j) any other circumstance (other than by complete, irrevocable
payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or
defense of the Company under this Indenture or the Senior Notes or of the
Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee hereunder.
SECTION 12.12. Waiver.
Without in any way limiting the provisions of Section 12.01 hereof, each
Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of acceptance hereof, notice of any liability
of the Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, notice or proof of reliance by the
Guaranteed Parties upon the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder,
and diligence, presentment, demand for payment on the Company, protest, notice
of dishonor or non-payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or other notice
or formalities to the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor of any kind
whatsoever. Each Subsidiary Guarantor will waive all benefits set forth in
Articles 480 (second paragraph), 481 and 482 of the Argentine Commercial Code as
well as any rights and powers contemplated by Articles 1990, 1994, 2012, 2015,
2017, 2018, 2020, 2021 (except the right to oppose payment), 2022, 2023, 2024,
2025, 2026, 2028, 2029, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2049 (except in the case
of express prior written waiver issued by the Trustee and authorized in
accordance with this Indenture), and 2050 of the Argentine Civil Code, to the
extent any such rights of defenses would otherwise become applicable or
available to the Subsidiary Guarantor. The Subsidiary Guarantor will acknowledge
that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the issuance of the
Senior Notes pursuant to this Indenture and that the waivers set forth in this
Section 12.13 will be knowingly made in contemplation of such benefit.
SECTION 12.13. Dealing with the Company and Others.
The Guaranteed Parties, without releasing, discharging, limiting or
otherwise affecting in whole or in part the obligations and liabilities of the
Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder and without the consent of or notice to any
Subsidiary Guarantor, may
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(a) grant time, renewals, extensions, compromises, concessions,
waivers, releases, discharges and other indulgences to the Company or any
other person;
(b) take or abstain from taking security or collateral from the Company
or from perfecting security or collateral of the Company;
(c) release, discharge, compromise, realize, enforce or otherwise deal
with or do any act or thing in respect of (with or without consideration)
any and all collateral, mortgages or other security given by the Company or
any third party with respect to the obligations or matters contemplated by
this Indenture or the Senior Notes;
(d) accept compromises or arrangements from the Company;
(e) apply all monies at any time received from the Company or from any
security upon such part of the Guaranteed Obligations as the Guaranteed
Parties may see fit or change any such application in whole or in part from
time to time as the Guaranteed Parties may see fit; and
(f) otherwise deal with, or waive or modify their right to deal with,
the Company and all other Persons and any security as the Guaranteed
Parties or the Trustee may see fit.
SECTION 12.14. Default and Enforcement.
If any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to pay in accordance with Section 12.05
hereof, the Trustee may proceed in its name as trustee hereunder in the
enforcement of the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor and such Subsidiary
Guarantor's obligations thereunder and hereunder by any remedy provided by law,
whether by legal proceedings or otherwise, and to recover from such Subsidiary
Guarantor the Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION 12.15. Costs and Expenses.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall pay on demand by the Trustee any and all
costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees on a
solicitor and client basis) incurred by the Trustee, its agents, advisors and
counsel or any of the Guaranteed Parties in enforcing any of their rights under
the Guarantee issued by such Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 12.16. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the
Trustee or the other Guaranteed Parties, any right, remedy, power or privilege
hereunder or under the Indenture or the Senior Notes, shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder or under this Indenture or the Senior Notes preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges in the Guarantee
and under this Indenture, the Senior Notes and any other
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document or instrument between the Subsidiary Guarantor and/or the Company and
the Trustee are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and
privilege provided by law.
SECTION 12.17. Representation and Warranty of the Subsidiary Guarantor.
Each Subsidiary Guarantor will represent and warrant that all acts,
conditions and things required to be done and performed and to have happened
precedent to the creation and issuance of its Guarantee, to constitute the same
valid, binding and legal obligation of each Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable
against such Subsidiary Guarantor, its successors and assigns in accordance with
its terms, will have been done and performed and have happened in compliance
with all applicable laws. The obligation of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its
Guarantee shall constitute a direct, general, irrevocable, unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 12.18. Special Waiver.
To the extent that any Subsidiary Guarantor may be entitled to the benefit
of any provision of law requiring the Trustee or any Holder of the Senior Notes,
in any suit, action or proceeding brought in a court of Argentina or other
jurisdiction arising out of or in connection with any of this Indenture or the
Senior Notes, to post security for litigation costs or otherwise post a
performance bond or guaranty ("CAUTIO JUDICATUM SOLVI" or "EXCEPCION DE
ARRAIGO"), or to take any similar action, the Subsidiary Guarantor will waive
such benefit, in each case to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of
Argentina or, as the case may be, such other jurisdiction.
SECTION 12.19. Severability.
Any provision of this Article Twelve which is prohibited or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions and any such
prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction unless its removal
would substantially defeat the basic intent, spirit and purpose of this
Indenture and this Article Twelve.
SECTION 12.20. Successors and Assigns.
Any Guarantee shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee and the other Guaranteed Parties and their
respective successors and permitted assigns, except that any Subsidiary
Guarantor may assign any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 12.21. General Limitation on Guarantee Obligations.
In any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state
or Federal bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the
rights of creditors generally or similar laws applicable in Argentina, if the
obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 12.01 would otherwise be
held or determined to be void, voidable, invalid or unenforceable, or
subordinated to the claims of any other
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creditors, on account of the amount of its liability under Section 12.01, then,
notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the amount of such
liability shall, without any further action by such Subsidiary Guarantor, any
Holder of Senior Notes, the Trustee or any other Person, be automatically
limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable and not
subordinated to the claims of other creditors as determined in such action or
proceeding so as not to constitute a fraudulent transfer under any such
applicable law.
ARTICLE 13
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 13.01. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.
The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution, at any time elect to
apply either Section 13.02 or Section 13.03 to all Outstanding Senior Notes upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.
SECTION 13.02. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 13.01 of its option to apply this
Section 13.02, the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, shall be deemed
to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all Outstanding
Senior Notes on the date the conditions set forth in Section 13.04 are satisfied
(hereinafter, "DEFEASANCE"). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the
Company and any such Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Senior Notes,
which shall thereafter be deemed to be "OUTSTANDING" only for the purposes of
Section 13.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses
(A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such
Senior Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture insofar as such
Senior Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the
following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Senior Notes to receive,
solely from the trust fund described in Section 13.04 and as more fully set
forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any,
and interest on such Senior Notes when such payments are due on the Stated
Maturity (or upon redemption, if applicable), (B) the Company's obligations with
respect to such Senior Notes under Sections 1.12, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.07, 3.11,
3.12, 5.15, 6.08(e), 10.02, 10.03, 10.08 (but only to the extent such section is
applicable to Default of an obligation under this Indenture not defeased) and
10.09 (but only to the extent of Additional Amounts other than Additional
Amounts payable under then applicable law; for the purposes of applying Section
10.09 after defeasance, if the Trustee is required by law or by the
administration or interpretation thereof to withhold or deduct any amount for or
on account of Taxes from any payment made from the trust fund described in
Section 13.04 under or with respect to the Senior Notes, such payment
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shall be deemed to have been made by the Company and the Company shall be deemed
to have been so required to deduct or withhold), (C) the rights, powers, trusts,
duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article Thirteen.
Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its
option under this Section 13.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option
under Section 13.03 with respect to the Senior Notes.
SECTION 13.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 13.01 of its option to apply this
Section 13.03, the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, shall be
released from their respective obligations under any covenant contained in
Section 8.01(a)(iii) and (iv), Section 8.03 and Sections 10.10 through 10.20
with respect to the Outstanding Senior Notes on and after the date the
conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "COVENANT DEFEASANCE"),
and the Senior Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be "Outstanding" for the
purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and
the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall
continue to be deemed "OUTSTANDING" for all other purposes hereunder. For this
purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding
Senior Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in
respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant,
whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any
other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply
shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Sections 5.01(iii)
and (iv), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and
such Senior Notes shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 13.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section
13.02 or Section 13.03 to the Outstanding Senior Notes:
(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.07
who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Thirteen
applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefit of the Holders of such Senior Notes, (A) cash in US Dollars in
an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment
of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an
amount, or (C) a combination thereof, as will be 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,
and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay
and discharge the principal of (and premium, if any), interest, Liquidated
Damages and all Additional Amounts payable under then applicable law on the
Outstanding Senior Notes on the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if
applicable) of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of
124
interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to
apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to said
payments with respect to the Senior Notes. Before such a deposit, the Company
may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 11.03 hereof, a notice of
its election to redeem all of the Outstanding Senior Notes at a future date in
accordance with Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable. Such
irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the
foregoing. For this purpose, "U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS" means securities that
are (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely
payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a
Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of
the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a fill faith and credit obligation by the United States of
America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of
the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank
(as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect
to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or
interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of such 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 from any amount received
by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific
payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced
by such depository receipt.
(b) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes shall
have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as
paragraphs (j) and (k) of Section 5.01 hereof are concerned, at any time during
the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being
understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the
expiration of such period).
(c) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any material
agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a
party or by which it is bound.
(d) In the case of an election under Section 13.02, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling, or (y) since the Original Issue Date, there has been a change in the
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Senior
Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as
a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the
same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such defeasance had not occurred.
(e) In the case of an election under Section 13.03, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of
the Outstanding Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax
125
purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to 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.
(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 13.02 or
the covenant defeasance under Section 13.03 (as the case may be) have been
complied with.
SECTION 13.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.03, all money
and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this
Section 13.05, the "TRUSTEE") pursuant to Section 13.04 in respect of the
Outstanding Senior Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in
accordance with the provisions of such Senior Notes and 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 Holders of
such Senior Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of
principal (and premium, if any), interest, Liquidated Damages and Additional
Amounts payable under then applicable law, but such money need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Governmental Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 13.04 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Senior Notes.
Anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company
Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in
Section 13.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant
defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 13.06. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 13.05 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or
governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, then the Company's and the Subsidiary Guarantor's, if any,
obligations under this Indenture and the Senior Notes shall be revived and
reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 13.02 or 13.03,
as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted
to apply all such money in accordance with Section 13.05;
126
provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Note following the reinstatement of
its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Senior Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or
Paying Agent.
[signatures on following page]
127
EXHIBIT A
GUARANTEE
For value received, the undersigned hereby unconditionally guarantees, as
principal obligor and not only as a surety, to the Holder of this Note the cash
payments in United States Dollars of principal of, premium, if any, and interest
on this Note (and including Additional Amounts payable thereon and any
Liquidated Damages) in the amounts and at the time when due and interest on the
overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, of this Note, if
lawful, and the payment or performance of all other obligations of the Company
under the Indenture or the Senior Notes, to the Holder of this Note and the
Trustee, all in accordance with and subject to the terms and limitations of this
Note, Article Twelve of the Indenture and this Guarantee. This Guarantee will
become effective in accordance with Article Twelve of the Indenture and its
terms shall be evidenced therein. The validity and enforceability of any
Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any
particular Note. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture dated as of ?, 1998, among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
HERMANOS S.A., a sociedad anonima organized and existing under the laws of the
Republic of Argentina (the "COMPANY"), as issuer, The Bank of New York, a New
York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"), Co-Registrar
("CO-REGISTRAR") and Principal Paying Agent (the "PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT"), and
Banco Rio de la Plata S.A., a sociedad anonima duly organized and existing under
the laws of the Republic of Argentina, as Registrar (the "REGISTRAR") and Paying
Agent (the "PAYING AGENT").
The obligations of the undersigned to the Holders of Senior Notes and to
the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth
in Article Twelve of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture
for the precise terms of the Guarantee and all of the other provisions of the
Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.
THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF LAW, EXCEPT THAT MATTERS RELATING TO THE AUTHORIZATION BY THE UNDERSIGNED OF
THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ARGENTINA. THE GUARANTOR HEREUNDER AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE CITY OF
NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE
INDENTURE, THE SENIOR NOTES OR THIS GUARANTEE.
This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the
Indenture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has caused this Guarantee to be duly
executed.
Date:
----------------------------------------------
o
as Guarantor
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
--------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE I
INDEBTEDNESS OUTSTANDING ON THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE(1)
1. Rabobank Curacao N.V. US$24.3 million
2. Global Medium Term Note Program US$2.3 million
3. Credit Lyonnais S.A. and others US$3.5 million
4. Bayerishe Verinsbank AG and others US$9.7 million
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(1) All amounts are approximate figures.
SCHEDULE II
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS
OUTSTANDING ON THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE
None