e8vk
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
February 15, 2011
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
 
The St. Joe Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
         
Florida   1-10466   59-0432511
         
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)
     
133 South WaterSound Parkway    
WaterSound, FL   32413
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
(850) 588-2250
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

ITEM 3.03. MODIFICATIONS TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
     On February 15, 2011, the Board of Directors of The St. Joe Company (the “Company”) adopted a Common Stock Purchase Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”). The Rights Plan was designed to include certain provisions that are important to shareholders. For example, the Rights Plan will not apply to any fully-financed tender offer that is made to all shareholders and that meets certain other criteria. The Rights will expire unless the Rights Plan is approved by a vote of the shareholders on or before December 31, 2011.
     The Rights are designed to assure that all of the Company’s shareholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of any proposed takeover of the Company and to guard against partial tender offers, open market accumulations and other abusive or coercive tactics to gain control of the Company without paying all shareholders a control premium. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that becomes an Acquiring Person on terms not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors at any time prior to the first date that a person or group has become an Acquiring Person.
     In connection with the Rights Plan, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a dividend of one common stock purchase right (individually, a “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) for each share of common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company outstanding at the close of business on February 28, 2011 (the “Record Date”). Each Right will entitle the registered holder thereof, after the Rights become exercisable and until February 15, 2014 (or the earlier redemption, exchange or termination of the Rights), to purchase from the Company one-half of one share of Common Stock, at a price of $50.00, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments (the “Purchase Price”).
     Until the earlier to occur of (i) the tenth business day following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Common Stock (including, without duplication, the number of shares that are synthetically owned pursuant to derivative transactions or ownership of derivative securities, if such person or group owns 5% or more of the Common Stock) (an “Acquiring Person”) or (ii) the tenth business day (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated persons or any person acting in concert therewith becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement or announcement of an intention to make a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of affiliated or associated persons of 10% or more of the Common Stock (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being called the “Separation Time”), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Stock certificates (or, with respect to any shares of Common Stock held in book entry form, by the notation in book entry).
     The Rights Agreement (as defined below) provides that a person shall not be deemed to be an “Acquiring Person” for purposes of the Rights Agreement if such person, together with such person’s affiliates or associates, (i) (A) on February 15, 2011, beneficially owned 10% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding or (B) becomes the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock solely as a result of an acquisition by the Company of shares of Common Stock, in the case of either clause (A) or (B) until such time as such person becomes the beneficial owner (other than pursuant to a stock dividend, stock split or reclassification) of one or more additional shares of Common Stock while such person is or as a result of which such person becomes the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) becomes the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock but who (in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors) acquired beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock inadvertently and without a plan or intention to seek or affect control of the Company, if such person promptly divests, or promptly enters into an agreement with, and satisfactory to, the Company, in its sole discretion, to divest and thereafter does divest in accordance with the terms of such agreement sufficient shares of Common Stock so that the person ceases to be the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) beneficially owns shares of Common Stock consisting solely of certain options entered into in connection with certain agreements related to the merger or acquisition of the Company. The Rights will be transferred only with the Common Stock until the Separation Time or earlier redemption,

 


 

exchange, termination or expiration of the Rights.
     In the event that a person becomes an Acquiring Person or if the Company were the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person or any affiliate or associate of, or any person acting in concert with, an Acquiring Person and the shares of Common Stock were not changed or exchanged, each holder of a Right, other than Rights that are or were acquired or beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which Rights will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the then current Purchase Price of one Right. In the event that, after a person has become an Acquiring Person, the Company were acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or more than 50% of its assets or earning power were sold, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price of the Right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction would have a market value of two times the then current Purchase Price of one Right.
     At any time after a person becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the last sentence in the previous paragraph or the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock, the Board of Directors may cause the Company to exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring Person which have become void), in whole, but not in part, for shares of Common Stock on a 1:1 basis.
     The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per Right (the “Redemption Price”) by the Board of Directors at any time prior to the time that an Acquiring Person has become such. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
     The Rights will expire on the earliest of (i) February 15, 2014 and (ii) December 31, 2011 if shareholder approval of the Rights Agreement has not been obtained by or on such date, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, exchanged or terminated. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the Rights Agent.
     If a Qualified Offer (as described below) is made, the record holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock may direct the Company’s Board of Directors to call a special meeting of shareholders to consider a resolution authorizing redemption of all the Rights. If the special meeting is not held within 90 business days of being called (subject to extension and cancellation in connection with the Company’s entering into of a definitive acquisition agreement) or if, at the special meeting, the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding (other than shares held by the offeror and its affiliated and associated persons) vote in favor of the redemption of the Rights, then the Rights will be automatically redeemed at the

 


 

Redemption Price (unless the Board has taken irrevocable action to prevent the Rights from interfering with the consummation of the Qualified Offer).
     A Qualified Offer is an offer determined by a majority of the independent directors on the Company’s Board of Directors to be a fully financed offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock that the Company’s Board of Directors, upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking firm, does not deem to be either unfair or inadequate. A Qualified Offer is conditioned upon a minimum of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock not held by the offeror (and its affiliated and associated persons) being tendered and not withdrawn, with a commitment to acquire all shares of Common Stock not tendered for the same consideration through a second step transaction. If the Qualified Offer includes non-cash consideration, such consideration must consist solely of freely tradable common stock of a publicly traded United States company, and the Company’s representatives must be given access to conduct a due diligence review of the offeror to determine whether the consideration is fair and adequate. A Qualified Offer must also remain open for at least 120  business days following commencement. A Qualified Offer requires the satisfaction of certain other conditions as set forth in the Rights Agreement.
     The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination of, the Common Stock or (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Common Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Common Stock.
     Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a shareholder of the Company beyond those as an existing shareholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
     Any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2011, between the Company and the Rights Agent (the “Rights Agreement”), may be amended by the Board of Directors of the Company for so long as the Rights are then redeemable, and after the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may amend or supplement the Rights Agreement in any manner that does not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Rights generally or in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision in the Rights Agreement which may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein or otherwise defective.
     One Right will be distributed to shareholders of the Company for each share of Common Stock owned of record by them on February 28, 2011. As long as the Rights are attached to the Common Stock, the Company will issue one Right with each new share of Common Stock so that all such shares will have attached Rights. The Company has agreed that, from and after the Separation Time, the Company will reserve a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock initially for issuance upon exercise of the Rights.

 


 

     The Rights Agreement specifying the terms of the Rights and the press release announcing the declaration of the Rights are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits to this current report. The foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 


 

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
     (d) Exhibits.
     
4.1
  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2011, between The St. Joe Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which includes the Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit A.
 
   
99.1
  Press Release, dated February 15, 2011.

 


 

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
 
  THE ST. JOE COMPANY    
 
       
Date: February 17, 2011
  /s/ Reece B. Alford
 
Reece B. Alford
   
 
  Senior Vice President
Corporate Counsel and Secretary
   

 


 

Exhibit Index
     
Exhibit No.   Description
4.1
  Rights Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2011, between The St. Joe Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which includes the Form of Right Certificate as Exhibit A.
 
   
99.1
  Press Release, dated February 15, 2011.

 

exv4w1
Exhibit 4.1
 
SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as of
February 15, 2011,
between
THE ST. JOE COMPANY
and
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC,
as Rights Agent
 

 


 

SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Table of Contents
         
    Page
 
       
ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS
 
       
1.1 Definitions
    2  
 
       
ARTICLE II

THE RIGHTS
 
       
2.1 Summary of Rights
    19  
2.2 Legend on Common Stock Certificates
    20  
2.3 Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights
    21  
2.4 Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights
    24  
2.5 Date on Which Exercise is Effective
    26  
2.6 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates
    26  
2.7 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
    27  
2.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates
    28  
2.9 Persons Deemed Owners
    29  
2.10 Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates
    30  
2.11 Agreement of Rights Holders
    30  
 
       
ARTICLE III

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
       
3.1 Flip-in
    31  
3.2 Flip-over
    35  
 
       
ARTICLE IV

THE RIGHTS AGENT
 
       
4.1 General
    37  
4.2 Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent
    38  
4.3 Duties of Rights Agent
    39  
4.4 Change of Rights Agent
    41  
 
       
-i-

 


 

         
    Page
 
       
ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS
 
       
5.1 Redemption
    43  
5.2 Shareholder Referendum for Qualifying Offers
    43  
5.3 Expiration
    47  
5.4 Issuance of New Rights Certificates
    48  
5.5 Supplements and Amendments
    48  
5.6 Fractional Shares
    49  
5.7 Rights of Action
    49  
5.8 Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Shareholder
    50  
5.9 Notice of Proposed Actions
    50  
5.10 Notices
    51  
5.11 Suspension of Exercisability
    52  
5.12 Costs of Enforcement
    52  
5.13 Successors
    52  
5.14 Benefits of this Agreement
    52  
5.15 Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc
    53  
5.16 Descriptive Headings; Section References
    53  
5.17 GOVERNING LAW
    54  
5.18 Counterparts
    54  
5.19 Severability
    54  
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A   Form of Rights Certificate
(Together with Form of
Election to Exercise)
 -ii- 

 


 

SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
     SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of February 15, 2011, between The St. Joe Company, a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York limited liability trust company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”, which term shall include any successor Rights Agent hereunder).
WITNESSETH:
     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has (a) authorized and declared a dividend of one right (“Right”) in respect of each share of Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) held of record as of the close of business on February 28, 2011 (the “Record Time”) payable in respect of each such share upon certification by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) to the Securities and Exchange Commission that the Rights have been approved for listing and registration (the “Payment Time”) and (b) as provided in Section 2.4, authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each share of Common Stock issued after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (as hereinafter defined) and, to the extent provided in Section 5.4, each share of Common Stock issued after the Separation Time;
     WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Right entitles the holder thereof, after the Separation Time, to purchase securities or assets of the Company (or, in certain cases, securities of certain other entities) pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and
     WHEREAS, the Company desires to appoint the Rights Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Rights Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, transfer,

 


 

exchange and replacement of Rights Certificates (as hereinafter defined), the exercise of Rights and other matters referred to herein;
     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective agreements set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
     1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
     “Acquiring Person” shall mean any Person who or which, together with all Related Persons of such Person, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that the term “Acquiring Person” shall not include any Person who or which, together with all Related Persons of such Person, (i) (A) is the Beneficial Owner, on the date of this Agreement, of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (B) who shall become the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock solely as a result of an acquisition by the Company of shares of Common Stock, in the case of either clause (A) or (B) until such time hereafter or thereafter as such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner (other than by means of a stock dividend, stock split or reclassification) of one or more additional shares of Common Stock while such Person is or as a result of which such Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) becomes the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock but who (in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors) acquired Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock inadvertently and without a plan or intention to seek or affect control of the Company, if such

-2-


 

Person promptly divests, or promptly enters into an agreement with, and satisfactory to, the Company, in its sole discretion, to divest and thereafter does divest in accordance with the terms of such agreement (without exercising or retaining any power, including voting power, with respect to such shares) sufficient shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) so that such Person ceases to be the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) Beneficially Owns shares of Common Stock consisting solely of one or more of (A) shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned pursuant to the grant or exercise of an option granted to such Person (an “Option Holder”) by the Company in connection with an agreement to merge with, or acquire, the Company entered into prior to a Flip-in Date, (B) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) Beneficially Owned by such Option Holder or its Affiliates or Associates at the time of grant of such option, and (C) shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into, exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock) acquired by Affiliates or Associates of such Option Holder after the time of such grant that, in the aggregate, amount to less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.. In addition, the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company and any employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plan of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company (or any entity or trustee holding shares of Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company) shall not be an Acquiring Person.

-3-


 

     “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement.
     “Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     A Person shall be deemed the “Beneficial Owner”, and to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, and to “Beneficially Own”, any securities: (i) as to which such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons is or may be deemed to be the beneficial owner pursuant to Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rules are in effect on the date of this Agreement; (ii) as to which such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons, directly or indirectly, has the Right to Acquire; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the “Beneficial Owner”, or to have “Beneficial Ownership” of, or to “Beneficially Own”, any: (x) securities solely because such security has been tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons until such tendered security is accepted for payment or exchange, (y) securities which such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons, has a Right to Acquire upon the exercise of Rights at any time prior to the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, or (z) securities issuable upon the exercise of Rights from and after the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person if such Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons prior to the Separation Time or pursuant to Section 2.3(b), 2.3(c) or 5.3 (“Original Rights”) or pursuant to Section 2.4 with respect to an adjustment to Original Rights; (iii) which such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise has or shares: (A) voting power, which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security (except that a Person shall not be deemed to be the

-4-


 

Beneficial Owner of any security under this clause (A) if such voting power arises solely because such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made to more than ten holders of shares of a class of stock of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report)), and/or (B) investment power, which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, such security; or (iv) which are Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with whom such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons, has an agreement, arrangement or understanding to act together for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any securities of the Company; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any security solely because such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made to more than ten holders of shares of a class of stock of the Company registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, except if such power (or the arrangements relating thereto) is then reportable under Item 6 of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any similar provision of a comparable or successor report).
     A Person who or which, together with all of such Person’s Related Persons, shall be the “Beneficial Owner” (within the meaning of clauses (i) through (iv) above) of 5% or more

-5-


 

of the Common Stock then outstanding, shall also be deemed to be the “Beneficial Owner” of, to have “Beneficial Ownership” of and to “Beneficially Own,” the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Person, or any of such Person’s Related Persons, and that is not otherwise included in the definition of Beneficial Ownership (within the meaning of clauses (i) through (iv) above); provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument become determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) (other than a Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to Beneficially Own the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Person arising in the ordinary course of such Person’s business as a derivatives dealer; and provided, further, that the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Synthetic Equity Position relates shall be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.

-6-


 

     No Person shall be deemed to be the “Beneficial Owner” of, to have “Beneficial Ownership” of or to “Beneficially Own” any securities which such Person or any of such Person’s Related Persons would otherwise be deemed to “Beneficially Own” pursuant to this definition solely as a result of any merger or other acquisition agreement between the Company and such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Related Persons), or any tender, voting or support agreement entered into by such Person (or one or more of such Person’s Related Persons) in connection therewith, if, prior to such Person becoming an Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors has approved such merger or other acquisition agreement, or such tender, voting or support agreement.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, no officer or director of the Company shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any securities of any other Person by virtue of any actions that such officer or director takes in such capacity. For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Person is the Beneficial Owner, all shares as to which such Person is deemed the Beneficial Owner shall be deemed outstanding.
     “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
     “Close of Business” on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m. New York City time on such date or, if such date is not a Business Day, 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next succeeding Business Day.
     “Common Stock” shall mean the shares of Common Stock, no par value, of the Company.

-7-


 

     “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
     “Definitive Acquisition Agreement” shall mean any agreement entered into by the Company that is conditioned on the approval by the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at a meeting of shareholder with respect to (i) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving the Company or (ii) the acquisition in any manner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the consolidated total assets (including, without limitation, equity securities of its subsidiaries) of the Company.
     “Election to Exercise” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d).
     “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     “Exchange Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
     “Exchange Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 3.1(c).
     “Exemption Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(g).
     “Exercise Price” shall mean, as of any date, the price at which a holder may purchase the securities issuable upon exercise of one whole Right. Until adjustment thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, the Exercise Price shall equal $50.00.
     “Expansion Factor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
     “Expiration Time” shall mean the earliest of (i) the Exchange Time, (ii) the Redemption Time, (iii) the Close of Business on the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, unless, for purposes of this clause (iii), extended by action of the Board of Directors of the Company (in which case the applicable time shall be the time at which it has been so extended), (iv) immediately prior to the effective time of a consolidation, merger or statutory

-8-


 

share exchange that does not constitute a Flip-over Transaction or Event and (v) the close of business on December 31, 2011, if Shareholder Approval has not been obtained on or before that date.
     “Flip-in Date” shall mean the date any Person becomes an Acquiring Person.
     “Flip-over Entity”, for purposes of Section 3.2, shall mean (i) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, the Person issuing any securities into which shares of Common Stock are being converted or exchanged and, if no such securities are being issued, the other Person that is a party to such Flip-over Transaction or Event and (ii) in the case of a Flip-over Transaction or Event referred to in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, the Person receiving the greatest portion of the (A) assets or (B) operating income or cash flow being transferred in such Flip-over Transaction or Event, provided in all cases that if such Person is a Subsidiary of another Person, the ultimate parent entity of such Person shall be the Flip-over Entity.
     “Flip-over Stock” shall mean the capital stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in respect of the election of directors (or other persons similarly responsible for the direction of the business and affairs) of the Flip-over Entity.
     “Flip-over Transaction or Event” shall mean a transaction or series of transactions, on or after a Flip-in Date, in which, directly or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate or merge or participate in a statutory share exchange with any other Person if, at the time of consummation of the consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange or at the time the Company enters into any agreement with respect to any such consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange, the Acquiring Person is the Beneficial Owner of 90% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or controls the Board of Directors of the Company and either (A) any

-9-


 

term of or arrangement concerning the treatment of shares of capital stock in such consolidation, merger or statutory share exchange relating to the Acquiring Person is not identical to the terms and arrangements relating to other holders of the Common Stock or (B) the Person with whom the transaction or series of transactions occurs is the Acquiring Person or a Related Person of the Acquiring Person or (ii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer) assets (A) aggregating more than 50% of the assets (measured by either book value or fair market value) or (B) generating more than 50% of the operating income or cash flow, of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person (other than the Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) or to two or more such Persons that are Related Persons or otherwise acting in concert, if, at the time of the entry by the Company (or any such Subsidiary) into an agreement with respect to such sale or transfer of assets, the Acquiring Person or any of its Related Persons controls the Board of Directors of the Company. For purposes of the foregoing description, the term “Acquiring Person” shall include any Acquiring Person and its Related Persons, counted together as a single Person.
     “Market Price” per share of any securities on any date shall mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of such securities (determined as described below) on each of the 20 consecutive Trading Days through and including the Trading Day immediately preceding such date; provided, however, that if any event described in Section 2.4, or any analogous event, shall have caused the closing prices used to determine the Market Price on any Trading Days during such period of 20 Trading Days not to be fully comparable with the closing price on such date, each such closing price so used shall be appropriately adjusted in order to make it fully comparable with the closing price on such date. The closing price per share of any securities on

-10-


 

any date shall be the last reported sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place or is quoted on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for each share of such securities, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the securities are listed or admitted to trading or, if the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the securities selected by the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that if on any such date the securities are not listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, the closing price per share of such securities on such date shall mean the fair value per share of such securities on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm, and set forth in a certificate delivered to the Rights Agent.
     “NYSE” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Option Holder” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of Acquiring Person.
     “Original Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Beneficial Owner” in Section 1.1.

-11-


 

     “Outside Meeting Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(g).
     “Payment Time” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, limited liability company, association, group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect on the date of this Agreement), corporation or other entity.
     “Qualifying Offer” shall mean an offer determined by a majority of directors of the Company that are determined to be independent under the listing standards of the NYSE to have, to the extent required for the type of offer specified, each of the following characteristics:
     (a) a fully financed all-cash tender offer or an exchange offer offering shares of common stock of the offeror, or a combination thereof, in each such case for any and all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at the same per-share consideration;
     (b) an offer that has commenced within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) under the Exchange Act;
     (c) an offer that, within twenty (20) Business Days after the commencement date of the offer (or within ten Business Days after any increase in the offer consideration), does not result in a nationally recognized investment banking firm retained by the Board of Directors of the Company rendering an opinion to the Board of Directors that the consideration being offered to the shareholders of the Company is either unfair or inadequate;
     (d) if the offer includes shares of common stock of the offeror, an offer pursuant to which (i) the offeror shall permit representatives of the Company (including a nationally-recognized investment banking firm retained by the Board of Directors and legal counsel and an accounting firm designated by the Company) to have access to such offeror’s books, records, management, accountants and other appropriate outside advisors for the purposes of permitting

-12-


 

such representatives to conduct a due diligence review of the offeror in order to permit the Board of Directors to evaluate the offer and make an informed decision and, if requested by the Board of Directors, to permit such investment banking firm (relying as appropriate on the advice of such legal counsel) to be able to render an opinion to the Board of Directors with respect to whether the consideration being offered to the shareholders of the Company is fair from a financial point of view, and (ii) within ten Business Days after such investment banking firm shall have notified the Company and the offeror that it had completed the due diligence review to its satisfaction (or following completion of such due diligence review within ten Business Days after any increase in the consideration being offered), such investment banking firm does not render an opinion to the Board of Directors that the consideration being offered to the shareholders of the Company is either unfair or inadequate and such investment banking firm does not, after the expiration of such ten Business Day period, render an opinion to the Board of Directors that the consideration being offered to the shareholders of the Company has become either unfair or inadequate based on a subsequent disclosure or discovery of a development or developments that have had or are reasonably likely to have a material adverse affect on the value of the common stock of the offeror;
     (e) an offer that is subject only to the minimum tender condition described below in item (h) of this definition and other customary terms and conditions, which conditions shall not include any financing, funding or similar conditions or any requirements with respect to the offeror or its agents being permitted any due diligence with respect to the books, records, management, accountants or any other outside advisers of the Company;
     (f) an offer pursuant to which the Company has received an irrevocable written commitment of the offeror that the offer will remain open for at least 120 Business Days and, if a

-13-


 

Special Meeting is duly requested in accordance with Section 5.2, for at least ten Business Days after the date of the Special Meeting or, if no Special Meeting is held within the Special Meeting Period (as defined in Section 5.2), for at least ten Business Days following the last day of such Special Meeting Period;
     (g) an offer pursuant to which the Company has received an irrevocable written commitment of the offeror that, in addition to the minimum time periods specified in clause (f) of this definition, the offer, if it is otherwise to expire prior thereto, will be extended for at least twenty Business Days after (i) any increase in the consideration being offered or (ii) any bona fide alternative offer is commenced within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that such offer need not remain open, as a result of clause (f) above and this clause (g), beyond (1) the time that any other offer satisfying the criteria for a Qualifying Offer is then required to be kept open under such clause (f) above and this clause (g), (2) the expiration date, as such date may be extended by public announcement (with prompt written notice to the Rights Agent) in compliance with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, of any other tender offer for the Common Stock with respect to which the Board of Directors of the Company has agreed to redeem the Rights immediately prior to acceptance for payment of Common Stock thereunder (unless such other offer is terminated prior to its expiration without any Common Stock having been purchased thereunder) or (3) one Business Day after the shareholder vote with respect to approval of any Definitive Acquisition Agreement has been officially determined and certified by the inspectors of elections;
     (h) an offer that is conditioned on a minimum of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock not held by the Person making such offer (or such

-14-


 

Person’s Related Persons) being tendered and not withdrawn as of the offer’s expiration date, which condition shall not be waivable;
     (i) an offer pursuant to which the Company has received an irrevocable written commitment of the offeror to consummate, as promptly as practicable upon successful completion of the offer, a second step transaction whereby all shares of the Common Stock not tendered into the offer will be acquired at the same consideration per share actually paid pursuant to the offer, subject to shareholders’ statutory appraisal rights, if any;
     (j) an offer pursuant to which the Company and its shareholders have received an irrevocable written commitment of the offeror that no amendments will be made to the offer to reduce the consideration being offered or to otherwise change the terms of the offer in a way that is adverse to a tendering shareholder;
     (k) an offer (other than an offer consisting solely of cash consideration) pursuant to which the Company has received the written representation and certification of the offeror and, in their individual capacities, the written representations and certifications of the offeror’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, that (i) all facts about the offeror that would be material to making an investor’s decision to accept the offer have been fully and accurately disclosed as of the date of the commencement of the offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the Exchange Act, (ii) all such new facts will be fully and accurately disclosed on a prompt basis during the entire period during which the offer remains open, and (iii) all required Exchange Act reports will be filed by the offeror in a timely manner during such period; and
     (l) if the offer includes shares of stock of common stock of the offeror, (i) the offeror is a publicly owned United States corporation and its common stock is freely tradable and is listed on either The NASDAQ Stock Market or the NYSE, (ii) no shareholder approval of the

-15-


 

offeror is required to issue such common stock, or, if required, such approval has already been obtained, (iii) no Person (including such Person’s Related Persons) beneficially owns more than 15% of the voting stock of the offeror at the time of commencement of the offer or at any time during the term of the offer, (iv) no other class of voting stock of the offeror is outstanding and (v) the offeror meets the registrant eligibility requirements for use of Form S-3 for registering securities under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, the filing of all required Exchange Act reports in a timely manner during the twelve calendar months prior to the date of commencement of such offer.
     For the purposes of the definition of Qualifying Offer, “fully financed” shall mean that the offeror has sufficient funds for the offer and related expenses which shall be evidenced by (i) firm, unqualified, written commitments from responsible financial institutions having the necessary financial capacity, accepted by the offeror, to provide funds for such offer subject only to customary terms and conditions, (ii) cash or cash equivalents then available to the offeror, set apart and maintained solely for the purpose of funding the offer with an irrevocable written commitment being provided by the offeror to the Board of Directors of the Company to maintain such availability until the offer is consummated or withdrawn or (iii) a combination of the foregoing; which evidence has been provided to the Company prior to, or upon, commencement of the offer. If an offer becomes a Qualifying Offer in accordance with this definition, but subsequently ceases to be a Qualifying Offer as a result of the failure at a later date to continue to satisfy any of the requirements of this definition, such offer shall cease to be a Qualifying Offer and the provisions of Section 5.2 shall no longer be applicable to such offer.
     “Qualifying Offer Resolution” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
     “Record Time” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

-16-


 

     “Redemption Price” shall mean an amount equal to one cent, $0.01.
     “Redemption Time” shall mean the time at which the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate pursuant to Section 5.1.
     “Requisite Percentage” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
     “Related Person” shall mean, as to any Person, any Affiliate or Associate of such Person.
     “Right” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
     “Right to Acquire” shall mean a legal, equitable or contractual right to acquire (whether directly or indirectly and whether exercisable immediately, or only after the passage of time, compliance with regulatory requirements, fulfillment of a condition or otherwise), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing (excluding customary agreements entered into in good faith with and between an underwriter and selling group members in connection with a firm commitment underwriting registered under the Securities Act), or upon the exercise of any option, warrant or right, through conversion of a security, pursuant to the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, pursuant to the power to terminate a repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, or pursuant to the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement.
     “Rights Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
     “Rights Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c).
     “Rights Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).
     “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

-17-


 

     “Separation Time” shall mean the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Separation Time that otherwise would have occurred) after the date on which any Person commences a tender or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day after the Stock Acquisition Date; provided that if the foregoing results in the Separation Time being prior to the Record Time, the Separation Time shall be the Record Time and provided further that if any tender or exchange offer referred to in clause (i) of this paragraph is cancelled, terminated or otherwise withdrawn prior to the Separation Time without the purchase of any shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto, such offer shall be deemed, for purposes of this paragraph, never to have been made.
     “Shareholder Approval” shall mean the approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (or other shares that vote together with the Common Stock as one class for purposes of such an approval) entitled to vote and that are present, or represented by proxy, and are voted on the proposal to approve this Agreement, at the meeting of shareholders of the Company duly held in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and applicable law.
     “Solicited Shareholder” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(e).
     “Special Meeting” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
     “Special Meeting Demand” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
     “Special Meeting Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(f).

-18-


 

          “Stock Acquisition Date” shall mean (i) the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include, without limitation, the filing of a report pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to a comparable successor statute) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such or that discloses information which reveals the existence of an Acquiring Person or (ii) such earlier date as a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company shall become aware of the existence of an Acquiring Person.
          “Subsidiary” of any specified Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the equity securities or a majority of the equity or membership interest is Beneficially Owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.
          “Trading Day”, when used with respect to any securities, shall mean a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which such securities are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such securities are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
          “Trust” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
          “Trust Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c).
ARTICLE II
THE RIGHTS
          2.1 Summary of Rights. As soon as practicable after the Record Time, the Company will mail a letter summarizing the terms of the Rights to each holder of record of

-19-


 

Common Stock as of the Record Time, at such holder’s address as shown by the records of the Company.
          2.2 Legend on Common Stock Certificates. Certificates for the Common Stock issued on or after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
Until the Separation Time (as defined in the Rights Agreement referenced below), this certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2011 (as such may be amended from time to time, the “Rights Agreement”), between The St. Joe Company (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may become exercisable for securities or assets of the Company or securities of another entity, may be exchanged for shares of Common Stock or other securities or assets of the Company, may expire, may become void (if they are Beneficially Owned by an Acquiring Person or any Related Person thereof, as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement, or by any transferee of any of the foregoing) or may be evidenced by separate certificates and may no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of the Rights Agreement to the holder of this certificate without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.
Certificates representing shares of Common Stock that are issued and outstanding at the Record Time shall, together with the letter mailed pursuant to Section 2.1, evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock evidenced thereby notwithstanding the absence of the foregoing legend.
          If the Common Stock issued after the Record Time but prior to the Separation Time shall be uncertificated, the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company shall evidence one Right for each share of Common Stock represented thereby and the Company shall mail to every Person that holds such Common Stock a confirmation of the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company, which

-20-


 

confirmation will have impressed, printed, written or stamped thereon or otherwise affixed thereto the above legend. The Company shall mail or arrange for the mailing of a copy of this Agreement to any Person that holds Common Stock, as evidenced by the registration of the Common Stock in the name of such Person on the stock transfer books of the Company, without charge after the receipt of a written request therefor.
          2.3 Exercise of Rights; Separation of Rights. (a) Subject to Sections 3.1, 5.1 and 5.11 and subject to adjustment as herein set forth, each Right will entitle the holder thereof, at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one-half of one share of Common Stock.
          (b) Until the Separation Time, (i) no Right may be exercised and (ii) each Right will be evidenced by the certificate for the associated share of Common Stock (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, by the registration of the associated share of Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company and the confirmation thereof provided for in Section 2.2), together, in the case of certificates issued prior to the Payment Time, with the letter mailed to the record holder thereof pursuant to Section 2.1, and will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer (whether with or without such letter or confirmation) of, such associated share.
          (c) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, the Rights (i) may be exercised and (ii) may be transferred independent of shares of Common Stock. Promptly following the Separation Time, the Rights Agent will mail to each holder of record of Common Stock as of the Separation Time (other than any Person whose Rights have become void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), at such holder’s address as shown by the records of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing to furnish copies of such

-21-


 

records to the Rights Agent for this purpose), (x) a certificate (a “Rights Certificate”) in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto appropriately completed, representing the number of Rights held by such holder at the Separation Time and having such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or traded, or to conform to usage, and (y) a disclosure statement describing the Rights.
          (d) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Rights may be exercised on any Business Day on or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time by submitting to the Rights Agent the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights with an Election to Exercise (an “Election to Exercise”) substantially in the form attached to the Rights Certificate duly completed, accompanied by payment in cash, or by certified or official bank check or money order payable to the order of the Company, of a sum equal to the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Rights being exercised and a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or charge that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or, if uncertificated, the registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) for shares or depositary receipts (or both) in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being exercised.
          (e) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate, with an Election to Exercise accompanied by payment as set forth in Section 2.3(d), and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Rights Agent will thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from a transfer agent stock

-22-


 

certificates evidencing such number of shares or other securities to be purchased or, in the case of uncertificated shares or other securities, requisition from a transfer agent a notice setting forth such number of shares or other securities to be purchased for which registration will be made on the stock transfer books of the Company (the Company hereby irrevocably authorizing its transfer agents to comply with all such requisitions), and (B) if the Company elects pursuant to Section 5.6 not to issue certificates (or effect registrations on the stock transfer books of the Company) representing fractional shares, requisition from the depositary selected by the Company depositary receipts representing the fractional shares to be purchased or requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 5.6 and (ii) after receipt of such certificates, depositary receipts, notices and/or cash, deliver the same to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered (in the case of certificates, depositary receipts or notices) in such name or names as may be designated by such holder.
          (f) In case the holder of any Rights shall exercise less than all of the Rights evidenced by such holder’s Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the Rights remaining unexercised will be issued by the Rights Agent to such holder or to such holder’s duly authorized assigns.
          (g) The Company covenants and agrees that it will (i) take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares delivered (or evidenced by registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates (or registration) for such shares (subject to payment of the Exercise Price), be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered (or registered) and fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) take all such action as may be necessary to comply with any applicable requirements of the

-23-


 

Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, and any other applicable law, rule or regulation, in connection with the issuance of any shares upon exercise of Rights; and (iii) pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the original issuance or delivery of the Rights Certificates or of any shares issued upon the exercise of Rights, provided that the Company shall not be required to pay any transfer tax or charge that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates or the issuance or delivery of certificates (or the registration) for shares in a name other than that of the holder of the Rights being transferred or exercised.
          2.4 Adjustments to Exercise Price; Number of Rights. (a) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time (i) declare or pay a dividend on Common Stock payable in Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, (x) the Exercise Price in effect after such adjustment will be equal to the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment divided by the number of shares of Common Stock including any fractional shares in lieu of which such holder received cash (the “Expansion Factor”) that a holder of one share of Common Stock immediately prior to such dividend, subdivision or combination would hold thereafter as a result thereof and (y) each Right held prior to such adjustment will become that number of Rights equal to the Expansion Factor, and the adjusted number of Rights will be deemed to be distributed among the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the original Rights were associated (if they remain outstanding) and the shares issued in respect of such dividend, subdivision or combination, so that each such share of Common Stock will have exactly one Right associated with it. Each

-24-


 

adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made as of the payment or effective date for the applicable dividend, subdivision or combination.
          In the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue any shares of Common Stock otherwise than in a transaction referenced in the preceding paragraph, each such share of Common Stock so issued shall automatically have one new Right associated with it, which Right shall be evidenced by the certificate representing such share (or, if the Common Stock shall be uncertificated, such Right shall be evidenced by the registration of such Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Company and the confirmation thereof provided for in Section 2.2). Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of shares of Common Stock that are issued or sold by the Company after the Separation Time only to the extent provided in Section 5.4.
          (b) In the event that the Company shall at any time after the Record Time and prior to the Separation Time issue or distribute any securities or assets in respect of, in lieu of or in exchange for Common Stock (other than pursuant to any non-extraordinary periodic cash dividend or a dividend paid solely in Common Stock) whether by dividend, in a reclassification or recapitalization (including any such transaction involving a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange), or otherwise, the Company shall make such adjustments, if any, in the Exercise Price, number of Rights and/or securities or other property purchasable upon exercise of Rights as the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, may deem to be appropriate under the circumstances in order to adequately protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally, and the Company and the Rights Agent shall amend this Agreement as necessary to provide for such adjustments.

-25-


 

          (c) Each adjustment to the Exercise Price made pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be calculated to the nearest cent. Whenever an adjustment to the Exercise Price is made pursuant to this Section 2.4, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment and (ii) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock a copy of such certificate.
          (d) Rights Certificates shall represent the right to purchase the securities purchasable under the terms of this Agreement, including any adjustment or change in the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, even though such certificates may continue to express the securities purchasable at the time of issuance of the initial Rights Certificates.
          2.5 Date on Which Exercise is Effective. Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares is issued (or registration on the stock transfer books is effected) upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price for such Rights (and any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the exercising holder hereunder) was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate (or registration) shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.
          2.6 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating of Rights Certificates. (a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board or the President and the Secretary of the Company, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon

-26-


 

attested by its Secretary. The signature of any of these officers on the Rights Certificates may be manual or facsimile.
          Rights Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the countersignature and delivery of such Rights Certificates.
          Promptly after the Separation Time, the Company will notify the Rights Agent of such Separation Time and will deliver Rights Certificates executed by the Company to the Rights Agent for countersignature, and, subject to Section 3.1(b), the Rights Agent shall manually countersign and deliver such Rights Certificates to the holders of the Rights pursuant to Section 2.3(c). No Rights Certificate shall be valid for any purpose unless manually countersigned by the Rights Agent.
          (b) Each Rights Certificate shall be dated the date of countersignature thereof.
          2.7 Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. (a) After the Separation Time, the Company will cause to be kept a register (the “Rights Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company will provide for the registration and transfer of Rights. The Rights Agent is hereby appointed “Rights Registrar” for the purpose of maintaining the Rights Register for the Company and registering Rights and transfers of Rights after the Separation Time as herein provided. In the event that the Rights Agent shall cease to be the Rights Registrar, the Rights Agent will have the right to examine the Rights Register at all reasonable times after the Separation Time.
          After the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time, upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of any Rights Certificate, and subject to the provisions of

-27-


 

Sections 2.7(c) and (d), the Company will execute, and the Rights Agent will countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Rights Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.
          (b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(b), all Rights issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Rights Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, and such Rights shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Rights surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
          (c) Every Rights Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Rights Agent, as the case may be, duly executed by the holder thereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.7, 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.
          (d) The Company shall not register the transfer or exchange of any Rights that have become void under Section 3.1(b), been exchanged under Section 3.1(c) or been redeemed under Section 5.1.
          2.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Rights Certificates. (a) If any mutilated Rights Certificate is surrendered to the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1, the Company shall execute and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so surrendered.

-28-


 

          (b) If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Rights Agent prior to the Expiration Time (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Rights Certificate and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, subject to Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(c) and 5.1 and in the absence of notice to the Company or the Rights Agent that such Rights Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate evidencing the same number of Rights as did the Rights Certificate so destroyed, lost or stolen.
          (c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Rights Certificate under this Section 2.8, 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 Rights Agent) connected therewith.
          (d) Every new Rights Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 2.8 in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall evidence an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Rights Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and, subject to Section 3.1(b), shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Rights duly issued hereunder.
          2.9 Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or notice of transfer, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Rights

-29-


 

Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, such Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, including the payment of the Redemption Price and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. As used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the term “holder” of any Rights shall mean the registered holder of such Rights (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated shares of Common Stock).
          2.10 Delivery and Cancellation of Certificates. All Rights Certificates surrendered upon exercise or for registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Rights Agent, be delivered to the Rights Agent and, in any case, shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. The Company may at any time deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation any Rights Certificates previously countersigned and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever; and all Rights Certificates so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Rights Agent. No Rights Certificates shall be countersigned in lieu of or in exchange for any Rights Certificates cancelled as provided in this Section 2.10, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Rights Agent shall destroy all cancelled Rights Certificates and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Company.
          2.11 Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of Rights by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of Rights that:
          (a) prior to the Separation Time, each Right will be transferable only together with, and will be transferred by a transfer of, the associated share of Common Stock;

-30-


 

          (b) after the Separation Time, the Rights Certificates will be transferable only on the Rights Register as provided herein;
          (c) prior to due presentment of a Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) for registration of transfer, the Company, the Rights Agent and any agent of the Company or the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Separation Time, the associated Common Stock certificate or Common Stock registration, if uncertificated) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;
          (d) Rights Beneficially Owned by certain Persons will, under the circumstances set forth in Section 3.1(b), become void; and
          (e) this Agreement may be supplemented or amended from time to time pursuant to Section 2.4(b) or 5.4.
ARTICLE III
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RIGHTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
          3.1 Flip-in. (a) In the event that prior to the Expiration Time a Flip-in Date shall occur, except as provided in this Section 3.1, each Right shall constitute the right to purchase from the Company, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof (but subject to Section 5.11), that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Market Price on the Stock Acquisition Date that gave rise to the Flip-in Date equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that on or after such

-31-


 

Stock Acquisition Date any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Common Stock).
          (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Rights that are or were Beneficially Owned on or after the Stock Acquisition Date by an Acquiring Person or a Related Person thereof or by any transferee, direct or indirect, of any of the foregoing shall become void and any holder of such Rights (including transferees) shall thereafter have no right to exercise or transfer such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. If any Rights Certificate is presented for assignment or exercise and the Person presenting the same will not complete the certification set forth at the end of the form of assignment or notice of election to exercise and provide such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner and its Affiliates and Associates (or former Beneficial Owners and their Affiliates and Associates) as the Company shall reasonably request, then the Company shall be entitled conclusively to deem the Beneficial Owner thereof to be an Acquiring Person or a Related Person thereof or a transferee of any of the foregoing and accordingly will deem the Rights evidenced thereby to be void and not transferable or exercisable.
          (c) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after a Flip-in Date and prior to the time that an Acquiring Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock elect to exchange all (but not less than all) of the then outstanding Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1(b)) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of holders of Rights generally in the event that after the Separation Time any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the

-32-


 

Common Stock (such exchange ratio, as adjusted from time to time, being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Ratio”).
          Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to exchange the Rights, without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right (other than Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)), whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors electing to exchange the Rights, the Company shall give notice thereof (specifying the steps to be taken to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange for Rights) to the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights (other than Rights that have become void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) outstanding immediately prior thereto by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.10.
          Each Person in whose name any certificate for shares is issued (or for whom any registration on the stock transfer books of the Company is made) upon the exchange of Rights pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares represented thereby on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of any applicable taxes and other governmental charges payable by the holder was made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such

-33-


 

shares on, and such certificate (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) shall be dated (or registered as of), the next succeeding Business Day on which the stock transfer books of the Company are open.
          Prior to effecting an exchange pursuant to this Section 3.1(c), the Board of Directors of the Company may direct the Company to enter into a Trust Agreement in such form and with such terms as the Board shall then approve (the “Trust Agreement”). If the Board of Directors of the Company so directs, the Company shall enter into the Trust Agreement and shall issue to the trust created by such agreement (the “Trust”) all of the Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exchange (or any portion thereof that has not theretofore been issued in connection with the exchange). From and after the time at which such shares are issued to the Trust, all shareholders then entitled to receive shares pursuant to the exchange shall be entitled to receive such shares (and any dividends or distributions made thereon after the date on which such shares are deposited in the Trust) only from the Trust and solely upon compliance with the relevant terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement. Any Common Stock issued at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection herewith shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock, and the Company shall be deemed to have received as consideration for such issuance a benefit having a value that is at least equal to the aggregate par value of the shares so issued.
          (d) In the event that there shall not be sufficient treasury shares or authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company to permit the exercise or exchange in full of the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(a) or if the Company so elects to make the exchange referred to in Section 3.1(c), the Company shall either (i) call a meeting of shareholders seeking approval to cause sufficient additional shares to be authorized (provided that if such approval is

-34-


 

not obtained the Company will take the action specified in clause (ii) of this sentence) or (ii) take such action as shall be necessary to ensure and provide, as and when and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in effect on the Stock Acquisition Date (and remaining in effect) to which it is a party, that each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to receive, (x) at the Company’s option, either (A) in return for the Exercise Price, debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to twice the Exercise Price, or (B) without payment of consideration (except as otherwise required by applicable law), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the Exercise Price, or (y) if the Board of Directors of the Company elects to exchange the Rights in accordance with Section 3.1(c), debt or equity securities or other assets (or a combination thereof) having a fair value equal to the product of the Market Price of a share of Common Stock on the Flip-in Date times the Exchange Ratio in effect on the Flip-in Date, where in any case set forth in (x) or (y) above the fair value of such debt or equity securities or other assets shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, after consultation with a nationally recognized investment banking firm.
          3.2 Flip-over. (a) Prior to the Expiration Time, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event unless and until it shall have entered into a supplemental agreement with the Flip-over Entity, for the benefit of the holders of the Rights (the terms of which shall be reflected in an amendment to this Agreement entered into with the Rights Agent), providing that, upon consummation or occurrence of the Flip-over Transaction or Event (i) each Right shall thereafter constitute the right to purchase from the Flip-over Entity, upon exercise thereof in accordance with the terms hereof, that number of shares of Flip-over Stock of the Flip-over Entity having an

-35-


 

aggregate Market Price on the date of consummation or occurrence of such Flip-over Transaction or Event equal to twice the Exercise Price for an amount in cash equal to the Exercise Price (such right to be appropriately adjusted in order to protect the interests of the holders of Rights generally in the event that after such date of consummation or occurrence any of the events described in Section 2.4(a) or (b), or any analogous event, shall have occurred with respect to the Flip-over Stock) and (ii) the Flip-over Entity shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Flip-over Transaction or Event and such supplemental agreement, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 3.2 shall apply to successive Flip-over Transactions or Events.
          (b) Prior to the Expiration Time, unless the Rights will be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.1 pursuant to an agreement entered into by the Company prior to a Flip-in Date, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to, consummate or permit to occur any Flip-over Transaction or Event if (i) at the time thereof there are any rights, warrants or securities outstanding or any other arrangements, agreements or instruments that would eliminate or otherwise diminish in any material respect the benefits intended to be afforded by this Rights Agreement to the holders of Rights upon consummation of such transaction, (ii) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such Flip-over Transaction or Event, the shareholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the Flip-over Entity shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Related Persons, or (iii) the form or nature of organization of the Flip-over Entity would preclude or limit the exercisability of the Rights.

-36-


 

ARTICLE IV
THE RIGHTS AGENT
          4.1 General. (a) The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted to be done by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability.
          (b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any certificate for securities (or registration on the stock transfer books of the Company) purchasable upon exercise of Rights, Rights Certificate, certificate for other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
          (c) The Rights Agent’s liability arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all fees (excluding expenses) paid or

-37-


 

payable to the Rights Agent under this Agreement in the twelve month period immediately preceding the date of the first event giving rise to liability.
          4.2 Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent. (a) Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent is a party, or any Person succeeding to the business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, will be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that such Person would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 4.4. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent succeeds to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Rights Certificates have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates have not been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates will have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
          (b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent is changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in its prior name

-38-


 

or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
          4.3 Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
          (a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
          (b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent deems it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by a person believed by the Rights Agent to be an officer of the Company; and such certificate will be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
          (c) The Rights Agent will be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
          (d) The Rights Agent will not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the certificates, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or the Rights Certificates (except its countersignature

-39-


 

thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and will be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
          (e) The Rights Agent will not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any certificate, if any, for securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or Rights Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor will it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor will it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void pursuant to Section 3.1(b)) or any adjustment required under the provisions of Section 2.4, 3.1 or 3.2 or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights after receipt of the certificate contemplated by Section 2.4 describing any such adjustment); nor will it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any securities purchasable upon exercise of Rights will, when issued, be duly and validly authorized, executed, issued and delivered and fully paid and nonassessable.
          (f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

-40-


 

     (g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any person believed by the Rights Agent to an officer of the Company, and to apply to such persons for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with instructions of any such person.
     (h) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in Common Stock, Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
     (i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent will not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
     4.4 Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 90 days’ notice (or such lesser notice as is acceptable to the Company) in writing mailed to the Company and to each transfer agent of Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.10. The Company may remove the Rights Agent upon 30 days’ notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock by registered or certified mail, and

-41-


 

to the holders of the Rights in accordance with Section 5.10. If the Rights Agent should resign or be removed or otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company will appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company fails to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights (which holder shall, with such notice, submit such holder’s Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Rights may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States, in good standing, that is authorized under such laws to exercise the powers of the Rights Agent contemplated by this Agreement and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and that has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent will be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company will file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, and mail a notice thereof in writing to the holders of the Rights. Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 4.4, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

-42-


 

ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
     5.1 Redemption. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the Flip-in Date, elect to redeem all (but not less than all) of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price either in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company deemed by the Company’s Board of Directors, in the exercise of its sole discretion, to be at least equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.
     (b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company electing to redeem the Rights (or, if the resolution of the Board of Directors electing to redeem the Rights states that the redemption will not be effective until the occurrence of a specified future time or event, upon the occurrence of such future time or event), without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and each Right, whether or not previously exercised, will thereafter represent only the right to receive the Redemption Price in cash or securities, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Promptly after the Rights are redeemed, the Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice in accordance with Section 5.10.
     5.2 Shareholder Referendum for Qualifying Offers. (a) In the event the Company receives a Qualifying Offer and the Board of Directors has not redeemed the outstanding Rights or exempted such offer from the terms of this Agreement or called a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting on whether or not to exempt such Qualifying Offer from the terms of this Agreement, in each case by the end of the ninety (90) Business Days

-43-


 

following the commencement of such Qualifying Offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) under the Exchange Act, the holders of record (or their duly authorized proxy) of at least ten percent (10%) or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (excluding shares of Common Stock that are Beneficially Owned by the Person making the Qualifying Offer) (the “Requisite Percentage”) may submit to the Board of Directors of the Company, not earlier than ninety (90) Business Days nor later than 120 Business Days following the commencement of such Qualifying Offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) under the Exchange Act, a written demand complying with the terms of this Section 5.2 (the “Special Meeting Demand”) directing the Board of Directors of the Company to submit to a vote of shareholders at a special meeting of the shareholders of the Company (a “Special Meeting”) a resolution exempting such Qualifying Offer from the provisions of this Agreement (the “Qualifying Offer Resolution”).
     (b) No shareholder may demand that the Board of Directors of the Company call a Special Meeting of the shareholders pursuant to Section 5.2(a) unless a shareholder of record (other than the Person making the Qualifying Offer) has first submitted a request in writing that the Board of Directors of the Company fix a record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to demand that the Board of Directors call a Special Meeting, which request shall be in proper form and delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company.
     (c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 5.2, a request by a shareholder for the Board of Directors of the Company to fix a record date shall set forth the information required by Section 3(c) of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
     (d) Within ten (10) days after receipt of a request to fix a record date in proper form and otherwise in compliance with this Section 5.2 from any shareholder of record (other

-44-


 

than the Person making the Qualifying Offer), the Board of Directors of the Company may adopt a resolution fixing a record date for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to demand that the Board of Directors call a Special Meeting, which date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and shall not be later than the twentieth (20th) day after the date on which such a request is received. If no resolution fixing a record date has been adopted by the Board of Directors within the ten (10) day period after the date on which such a request to fix a record date was received, the record date in respect thereof shall be deemed to be the twentieth (20th) day after the date on which such a request is received.
     (e) Without qualification, a Special Meeting of the shareholders shall not be called pursuant to 5.2(a) unless shareholders of record as of the record date fixed in accordance with Section 5.2(d) who hold, in the aggregate, more than the Requisite Percentage timely provide one or more Special Meeting Demands in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company. Only shareholders of record on the record date shall be entitled to demand that the Board of Directors of the Company call a Special Meeting of the shareholders pursuant to Section 5.2(a). To be timely, a Special Meeting Demand must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Company not earlier than ninety (90) Business Days nor later than 120 Business Days following the commencement of a Qualifying Offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) under the Exchange Act. To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 5.2, a Special Meeting Demand shall set forth (i) the text of the Qualifying Offer Resolution and (ii) with respect to any shareholder or shareholders submitting a Special Meeting Demand (except for any shareholder that has provided such demand in response to a solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance

-45-


 

with, Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act by way of a solicitation statement filed on Schedule 14A) (a “Solicited Shareholder”) the information required to be provided pursuant to Section 5.2(c) of a Requesting Person. A shareholder may revoke a Special Meeting Demand by written revocation delivered to the Secretary at any time prior to the Special Meeting. If any such revocation(s) are received by the Secretary after the Secretary’s receipt of Special Meeting Demands from the holders of the Requisite Percentage of shareholders, and as a result of such revocation(s), there no longer are unrevoked Special Meeting Demands from the Requisite Percentage of shareholders to call a Special Meeting, the Board of Directors shall have the discretion to determine whether or not to proceed with the Special Meeting.
     (f) After receipt of Special Meeting Demands in proper form and in accordance with this Section 5.2 from a shareholder or shareholders holding the Requisite Percentage, the Board of Directors of the Company shall take such actions as are necessary or desirable to cause the Qualifying Offer Resolution to be so submitted to a vote of shareholders at a Special Meeting to be convened within ninety (90) Business Days following the Special Meeting Demand; provided, however, that if the Company at any time during the Special Meeting Period and prior to a vote on the Qualifying Offer Resolution enters into a Definitive Acquisition Agreement, the Special Meeting Period may be extended (and any Special Meeting called in connection therewith may be cancelled) if the Qualifying Offer Resolution will be separately submitted to a vote at the same meeting as the Definitive Acquisition Agreement (the “Special Meeting Period”). Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Board of Directors of the Company may take a position in favor of or opposed to the adoption of the Qualifying Offer Resolution, or no position with respect to the Qualifying Offer Resolution, as it determines to be appropriate in the exercise of its fiduciary duties.

-46-


 

     (g) In the event that no Person has become an Acquiring Person prior to the Exemption Date (as defined below) and the Qualifying Offer continues to be a Qualifying Offer and either (i) the Special Meeting is not convened on or prior to the last day of the Special Meeting Period (the “Outside Meeting Date”), or (ii) if, at the Special Meeting at which a quorum is present, a majority of the shares of Common Stock present or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon as of the record date for the Special Meeting selected by the Board of Directors shall vote in favor of the Qualifying Offer Resolution, then the Qualifying Offer shall be deemed exempt from the application of this Agreement to such Qualifying Offer so long as it remains a Qualifying Offer, such exemption to be effective on the close of business on the tenth (10th) Business Day after (i) the Outside Meeting Date or (ii) the date on which the results of the vote on the Qualifying Offer Resolution at the Special Meeting are certified as official by the appointed inspectors of election for the Special Meeting, as the case may be (the “Exemption Date”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no action or vote, including action by written consent, by shareholders not in compliance with the provisions of this Section 5.2 shall serve to exempt any offer from the terms of this Agreement.
     (h) Immediately upon the close of business on the Exemption Date, without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights with respect to the Qualifying Offer will terminate.
     5.3 Expiration. The Rights and this Agreement shall expire at the Expiration Time and no Person shall have any rights pursuant to this Agreement or any Right after the Expiration Time, except, if the Rights are exchanged or redeemed, as provided in Section 3.1 or 5.1, respectively.

-47-


 

     5.4 Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the number or kind or class of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock by the Company following the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time pursuant to the terms of securities convertible or redeemable into shares of Common Stock (other than any securities issued or issuable in connection with the exercise or exchange of Rights) or to options, in each case issued or granted prior to, and outstanding at, the Separation Time, the Company shall issue to the holders of such shares of Common Stock, Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with the issuance or sale of such shares of Common Stock; provided, however, in each case, (i) no such Rights Certificate shall be issued, if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or to the Person to whom such Rights Certificates would be issued, (ii) no such Rights Certificates shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall have otherwise been made in lieu of the issuance thereof, and (iii) the Company shall have no obligation to distribute Rights Certificates to any Acquiring Person or Related Person of an Acquiring Person or any transferee of any of the foregoing.
     5.5 Supplements and Amendments. The Company and the Rights Agent may from time to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights (i) prior to the Flip-in Date, in any respect and (ii) on or after the Flip-in Date, to make

-48-


 

any changes that the Company may deem necessary or desirable and that shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights generally or in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be inconsistent with any other provisions herein or otherwise defective. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that a proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with this Section 5.5, the Rights Agent will duly execute and deliver such supplement or amendment requested by the Company, provided that any supplement or amendment shall become effective immediately upon execution by the Company, whether or not also executed by the Rights Agent.
     5.6 Fractional Shares. If the Company elects not to issue certificates representing (or register on the stock transfer books of the Company) fractional shares upon exercise, redemption or exchange of Rights, the Company shall, in lieu thereof, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, either (a) evidence such fractional shares by depositary receipts issued pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it, providing that each holder of a depositary receipt shall have all of the rights, privileges and preferences to which such holder would be entitled as a beneficial owner of such fractional share, or (b) pay to the registered holder of such Rights the appropriate fraction of the Market Price per share in cash.
     5.7 Rights of Action. Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including Sections 3.1(b) and 5.15), rights of action in respect of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested solely in the Rights Agent, are vested in the respective holders of the Rights; and any holder of any Rights, without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Rights, may, on such holder’s own behalf and for such holder’s own benefit and the benefit of

-49-


 

other holders of Rights, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, such holder’s right to exercise such holder’s Rights in the manner provided in such holder’s Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person subject to this Agreement.
     5.8 Holder of Rights Not Deemed a Shareholder. No holder, as such, of any Rights shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares or any other securities that may at any time be issuable on the exercise of such Rights, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in Section 5.9), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until such Rights shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the provisions hereof.
     5.9 Notice of Proposed Actions. In case the Company shall propose at or after the Separation Time and prior to the Expiration Time (i) to effect or permit a Flip-over Transaction or Event or (ii) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right, in accordance with Section 5.10, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which such Flip-

-50-


 

over Transaction or Event, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place, and such notice shall be so given at least 20 Business Days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action.
     5.10 Notices. Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:
The St. Joe Company
133 South WaterSound Parkway
WaterSound, Florida 32413
Attention: Secretary
Any notice or demand authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Attention: General Counsel
Notices or demands authorized or required by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to or on the holder of any Rights shall be sufficiently given or made if delivered or sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as it appears upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Separation Time, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice

-51-


 

which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice.
     5.11 Suspension of Exercisability. To the extent that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that some action will or need be taken pursuant to Section 3.1 or to comply with federal or state securities laws, the Board of Directors of the Company may suspend the exercisability of the Rights for a reasonable period in order to take such action or comply with such laws. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue as promptly as practicable a public announcement stating that the exercisability or exchangeability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended. Notice thereof pursuant to Section 5.10 shall not be required.
     Failure to give a notice pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of any action taken hereunder.
     5.12 Costs of Enforcement. The Company agrees that if the Company or any other Person the securities of which are purchasable upon exercise of Rights fails to fulfill any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, then the Company or such Person will reimburse the holder of any Rights for the costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by such holder in actions to enforce such holder’s rights pursuant to any Rights or this Agreement.
     5.13 Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
     5.14 Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement and this Agreement shall be

-52-


 

for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the holders of the Rights.
     5.15 Determination and Actions by the Board of Directors, etc. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement. All such actions, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) done or made by the Board, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board of Directors of the Company to any liability to the holders of the Rights. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to suggest or imply that the Board of Directors shall not be entitled to reject any Qualifying Offer or any other tender offer or other acquisition proposal, or to recommend that holders of Common Stock reject any Qualifying Offer or any other tender offer or other acquisition proposal, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution, defense or settlement of any litigation and the submission of additional or alternative offers or other proposals) with respect to any Qualifying Offer or any other tender offer or other acquisition proposal that the Board of Directors believes is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of such fiduciary duty.
     5.16 Descriptive Headings; Section References. Descriptive headings appear herein for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of

-53-


 

the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.
     5.17 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH RIGHT ISSUED HEREUNDER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS TO BE MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.
     5.18 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
     5.19 Severability. If any term or provision hereof or the application thereof to any circumstance shall, in any jurisdiction and to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, such term or provision shall be ineffective as to such jurisdiction to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the application of such term or provision to circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable.

-54-


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
         
  THE ST. JOE COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ Wm. Britton Greene   
    Name:   Wm. Britton Greene   
    Title:   President and CEO   
 
  AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ David H. Brill   
    Name:   David H. Brill   
    Title:   General Counsel   
[Signature Page to Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement]


 

EXHIBIT A
Form of Rights Certificate (Together with Form of Election to Exercise)
     
Certificate No. R-
  _______ Rights
   
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 2014 OR EARLIER IF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE IS GIVEN OR IF THE COMPANY IS MERGED OR ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO AN AGREEMENT THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FLIP-OVER TRANSACTION OR EVENT OR UPON THE EARLIER EXPIRATION TIME (AS DEFINED IN THE AGREEMENT) OF THE RIGHTS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.01 PER RIGHT, AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES (SPECIFIED IN SECTION 3.1(b) OF THE AGREEMENT), RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE AGREEMENT), OR ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS, WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.
Right Certificate
THE ST. JOE COMPANY
          This certifies that ________________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2011, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”), between The St. Joe Company, a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights Agent”), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Separation Time and prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on February 15, 2014, at the offices of the Rights Agent, or its successors as Rights Agent, designated for such purpose, one-half of one fully paid, nonassessable share of Common Stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, at a purchase price of $50.00 per one-half share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment (the “Purchase Price”), upon

 


 

presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and certification duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of February 15, 2011, based on the Common Stock as constituted at such date. Capitalized terms used in this Right Certificate without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. As provided in the Agreement, the Purchase Price and the number of shares of Common Stock which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.
          This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the Agreement are on file at the principal offices of the Company and the Rights Agent.
          This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

 


 

          Subject to the provisions of the Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, (i) redeem the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate at a redemption price of $.01 per Right or (ii) exchange Common Stock for the Rights evidenced by this Certificate, in whole or in part.
          No fractional Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby, but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Agreement.
          No holder of this Right Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Common Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholder at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders (except as provided in the Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Agreement.
          If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of the Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
          This Right Certificate shall not be valid or binding for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

 


 

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal.
Dated as of __________, 20__.
     
Attest:
  THE ST. JOE COMPANY
             
By
      By    
 
           
 
  Title:       Title:
Countersigned:
AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER &
TRUST COMPANY, LLC,
as Rights Agent
By
      Authorized Signature               

 


 

Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder
desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)
     
FOR VALUE RECEIVED
   
 
   
         
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
       
 
       
 
       
     
 
       
     
(Please print name and address
of transferee)
Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                     Attorney, to transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated:                    
                                                            
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
                                                            
          Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is a member of a recognized Medallion Signature Guarantee Program.

 


 

The undersigned hereby certifies that:
  1.   the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not Beneficially Owned by and are not being assigned to an Acquiring Person or a Related Person of an Acquiring Person; and
 
  2.   after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or a Related Person of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:                                        
                                                            
Signature

 


 

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to
exercise the Right Certificate.)
To: THE ST. JOE COMPANY
     The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Rights (or such other securities or property of the Company or of any other Person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such stock (or such other securities or property of the Company or of any other Person which may be issuable upon the exercise of the Rights) be issued in the name of (or to, as the case may be):
____________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
___________________________________________________
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security
or other identifying number__________________________________________
__________________________________________________
                (Please print name and address)
__________________________________________________
Dated: __________________
                                                            
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
                                                            

 


 

     Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is a member of a recognized Medallion Signature Guarantee Program.

 


 

The undersigned hereby certifies that:
  1.   the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not Beneficially Owned by and are not being assigned to an Acquiring Person or a Related Person of an Acquiring Person; and
 
  2.   after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or a Related Person of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:_______________
                                                            
Signature
NOTICE
     The signature in the foregoing Form of Assignment and Form of Election to Purchase must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
     In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase is not completed, the Company will deem the Beneficial Owner of the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate to be an Acquiring Person or a Related Person of an Acquiring Person and such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

 

exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
(STJOE LOGO)
The St. Joe Company
133 South WaterSound Parkway
WaterSound, Florida 32413
866-417-7133
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE ST. JOE COMPANY ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
WaterSound, FL — February 15, 2011 — The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) today announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a shareholder rights plan. The plan enables the Company to conduct an orderly, thorough and deliberative process of exploring the Company’s financial and strategic alternatives. As previously announced, the Company has retained Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to serve as financial advisor to explore a wide range of options to enhance shareholder value.
The rights plan is intended to enable all of the Company’s shareholders to realize the long-term value of their investment in the Company. It is also designed to reduce the likelihood that any person or group would gain control of the Company by open market accumulation or other coercive takeover tactics without paying a control premium for all shares.
The rights plan was designed to include certain provisions that are important to shareholders. In particular, the rights plan will not apply to any fully-financed tender offer that is made to all shareholders and that meets certain other criteria. The rights will expire unless the rights plan is approved by a vote of the shareholders on or before December 31, 2011.
Subject to limited exceptions, the rights will be exercisable if a person or group acquires 10% or more of the Company’s common stock (including the number of shares that are synthetically owned pursuant to derivative transactions or ownership of derivative securities, if such person or group owns 5% or more of the common stock) or announces a tender offer for 10% or more of the common stock. The rights also will be exercisable if a person or group that already owns 10% or more of the Company’s common stock, without Board approval, acquires any additional shares (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company or pursuant to a stock split or subdivision).
If the rights become exercisable, all rights holders (other than the person or group triggering the rights) will be entitled to purchase the Company’s common stock at a 50% discount. Rights held by the person or group triggering the rights will become void and will not be exercisable.

 


 

Details about the rights plan will be contained in a Form 8-K to be filed by The St. Joe Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About St. Joe
The St. Joe Company, a publicly held company currently based in WaterSound, is one of Florida’s largest real estate development companies and Northwest Florida’s largest private landowner. St. Joe is primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber. More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.joe.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are “forward- looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about our beliefs, plans, goals, expectations and intentions. Forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, and there can be no assurance that the results described in such statements will be realized. Such statements are based on our current expectations and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or reissue any forward-looking statements. Risk factors that may cause the actual results to differ are described in this press release and in various documents we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q.
(c) 2010, The St. Joe Company. “St. Joe”, and the “Taking Flight” design are service marks of The St. Joe Company.
CONTACT:
     
Investors
  Media
David Childers
  Joele Frank / Andrew Siegel
The St. Joe Company
  Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
904-301-4302
  212-355-4449
dchilders@joe.com