DEF 14A
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the
Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
o Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to
§240.14a-12 |
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state
how it was determined): |
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(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: |
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(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
April 28, 2006
To the Stockholders of MarketAxess Holdings Inc.:
You are invited to attend the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of MarketAxess
Holdings Inc. (the Company) scheduled for Wednesday,
June 7, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at
The New York Marriott Financial Center, 85 West Street, New
York, New York 10006. The Companys Board of Directors and
management look forward to meeting you.
Enclosed you will find a Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders containing a description of the items of business
expected to be covered at the Annual Meeting, our proxy
statement, a proxy card and our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. The agenda for the Annual
Meeting includes the election of directors, approval of an
amendment and restatement of our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan
increasing the number of shares that may be subject to awards
thereunder by 6,670,000 shares, and ratification of the
appointment of our independent registered public accounting
firm. Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR
the election of directors, FOR the approval of an amendment and
restatement of our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan increasing the
number of shares that may be subject to awards thereunder by
6,670,000 shares and FOR ratification of the appointment of
our independent registered public accounting firm. Please
carefully review the enclosed documents for detailed information
regarding these proposals.
Your vote is important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend
the Annual Meeting in person, your shares should be represented
and voted. After reading the enclosed proxy statement, please
complete, sign, date and promptly return the proxy in the
pre-addressed envelope that we have included for your
convenience. No postage is required if it is mailed in the
United States. If you hold your shares in a stock brokerage
account, please check your proxy card or contact your broker or
nominee to determine whether you will be able to vote by
telephone or electronically. Submitting the proxy before the
Annual Meeting will not preclude you from voting in person at
the Annual Meeting should you decide to attend in person.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your
continued support.
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Richard M. McVey |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
NOTICE OF
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of MarketAxess Holdings Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of MarketAxess
Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company),
will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, at The New York Marriott
Financial Center, 85 West Street, New York, New York 10006.
At the Annual Meeting we will:
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1. vote to elect all nine members of the Companys
Board of Directors for terms expiring at the 2007 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders; |
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2. vote to approve an amendment and restatement of the 2004
Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) increasing the
number of shares that may be subject to awards thereunder by
6,670,000 shares; |
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3. vote to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP as the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2006; and |
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4. transact such other business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
These items are more fully described in the Companys Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice.
The record date for the determination of the stockholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or
any adjournment or postponement thereof, was the close of
business on April 17, 2006. A list of the stockholders of
record as of April 17, 2006 will be available for
inspection at the Annual Meeting, and at any adjournments or
postponements thereof, and for a period of ten days prior to the
meeting during regular business hours at the offices of the
Company listed above.
You have the right to receive this Notice and vote at the Annual
Meeting if you were a stockholder of record at the close of
business on April 17, 2006. Please remember that your
shares cannot be voted unless you cast your vote by one of the
following methods: (1) sign and return a proxy card;
(2) if you hold your shares in a stock brokerage account,
call the toll-free number listed on the proxy card, if any;
(3) if you hold your shares in a stock brokerage account,
vote via the Internet as indicated on the proxy card; or
(4) vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Charles Hood |
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General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
New York, New York
April 28, 2006
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF
SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT
CAREFULLY AND COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
ALTERNATIVELY, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY THROUGH THE
INTERNET OR BY TOUCH-TONE PHONE AS INDICATED ON THE PROXY
CARD.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On June 7, 2006
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with a
solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors
(Board or Board of Directors) of
MarketAxess Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation
(MarketAxess, the Company,
we or our), to be used at our 2006
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled for Wednesday,
June 7, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time
(EDT), at The New York Marriott Financial Center,
85 West Street, New York, New York 10006.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and proxy card are first being mailed to
stockholders on or about May 2, 2006. Whenever we refer in
this Proxy Statement to the Annual Meeting, we are
also referring to any meeting that results from any postponement
or adjournment of the June 7, 2006 meeting.
Holders of our common stock, par value $0.003 per share
(the Common Stock), as of the close of business on
April 17, 2006, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote
at the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were
26,171,809 shares of our Common Stock issued and
outstanding.
We encourage you to vote your shares, either by voting in
person at the Annual Meeting or by granting a proxy
(i.e., authorizing someone to vote your shares). If you
execute the attached proxy card, the individuals designated on
that card will vote your shares according to your instructions.
If any matter other than Proposals 1, 2 or 3 listed in the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders is presented at the
Annual Meeting, the designated individuals will, to the extent
permissible, vote all proxies in the manner that the Board may
recommend or, in the absence of such recommendation, in the
manner they perceive to be in the best interests of the
Company.
If you execute the enclosed proxy card but do not give
instructions, your proxy will be voted as follows: FOR the
election of the nominees for director named herein, FOR the
approval of an amendment and restatement of our 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan (the Plan) increasing the number of
shares that may be subject to awards thereunder by
6,670,000 shares, FOR the ratification of the appointment
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2006, and will be voted in accordance with the best judgment of
the persons appointed as proxies with respect to any other
matters which properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Information on how you may vote at the Annual Meeting (such as
granting a proxy that directs how your shares should be voted,
or attending the Annual Meeting in person), as well as how you
can revoke a proxy, is contained in this Proxy Statement below
under the headings Solicitation of Proxies and
Voting.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
General
The attached proxy card allows you to instruct the designated
individuals how to vote your shares. You may vote in favor of,
against, or abstain from voting on any proposal. In addition,
with respect to Proposal 1 (the election of directors), you
may, if you desire, indicate on the proxy card that you are not
authorizing the designated individuals to vote your shares for
one or more of the nominees.
Solicitation
We will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this Proxy
Statement, the proxy card and any additional soliciting
materials furnished to stockholders. Copies of solicitation
materials will be furnished to brokerage houses, fiduciaries and
custodians holding shares in their names that are beneficially
owned by others so that they may forward the solicitation
materials to such beneficial owners. In addition, we may
reimburse such persons for their costs of forwarding the
solicitation materials to such beneficial owners. The original
solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by
solicitation by telephone or other means by our directors,
officers, employees or agents. No additional compensation will
be paid to these individuals for any such services. Except as
described above, we do not presently intend to solicit proxies
other than by mail.
VOTING
Stockholders entitled to vote and shares outstanding
You may vote your shares at the Annual Meeting only if you were
a stockholder of record at the close of business on
April 17, 2006 (the Record Date). As of the
Record Date, 26,171,809 shares of our Common Stock were
issued and outstanding.
How to vote
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Submitting a proxy via mail, the Internet or
telephone |
You may submit your proxy with voting instructions by mail by
following the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card.
Specifically, if you are a stockholder of record on the Record
Date you may vote by mailing your proxy card, with voting
instructions, to the address listed on your proxy card.
If you hold your shares through a stock broker, nominee,
fiduciary or other custodian, you may also be able to vote by
calling the toll-free telephone number listed on your proxy card
or visiting the website address listed on your proxy card. If
you choose to submit your proxy with voting instructions by
telephone or through the Internet, you will be required to
provide your assigned control number noted on the enclosed proxy
card before your proxy will be accepted. In addition to the
instructions that appear on the enclosed proxy card,
step-by-step instructions will be provided by recorded telephone
message or at the designated website on the Internet. Votes
submitted via the Internet or by telephone must be received by
11:59 p.m., EDT, on June 6, 2006 in order for them to
be counted at the Annual Meeting.
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Voting your shares in person at the Annual Meeting |
You may also attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in
person by ballot. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting you
will need to bring proof of your ownership of our Common Stock
as of the close of business on April 17, 2006, the Record
Date. If you hold shares in street name (that is,
through a bank, broker or other nominee) and would like to
attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, you will need to
bring an account statement or other acceptable evidence of
ownership of Common Stock as of the close of business on
April 17, 2006. Alternatively, in order to vote, you may
contact the person in whose name your shares are registered and
obtain a proxy from that person and bring it to the Annual
Meeting.
Revoking a proxy
A proxy that was submitted by mail may be revoked at any time
before it is exercised by (1) giving written notice
revoking the proxy to our General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary at MarketAxess Holdings Inc., 140 Broadway,
42nd Floor, New York, NY 10005, (2) subsequently
filing another proxy bearing a later date or (3) attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person by ballot.
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A proxy that was submitted via the Internet or by telephone may
be revoked at any time before it is exercised by
(1) executing a later-dated proxy card via the Internet or
by telephone or (2) attending the Annual Meeting and voting
in person by ballot.
Your attendance at the Annual Meeting in and of itself will
not automatically revoke a proxy that was submitted via the
Internet, by telephone or by mail.
Broker authority to vote
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a
bank or other nominee, you are considered to be the beneficial
owner of shares held in street name. These proxy materials are
being forwarded to you by your broker or nominee, who is
considered to be the holder of record with respect to your
shares. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct
your broker or nominee how to vote by filling out the voting
instruction form provided by your broker or nominee. Telephone
and Internet voting options may also be available to beneficial
owners. As a beneficial owner, you are also invited to attend
the Annual Meeting, but you must obtain a proxy from the holder
of record of your shares in order to vote in person at the
Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held in street name, your broker or nominee
will ask you how you want your shares to be voted. If you
provide voting instructions, your shares must be voted as you
direct. If you do not furnish voting instructions, one of two
things can happen, depending upon whether a proposal is
routine. Under the rules that govern brokers that
have record ownership of shares beneficially owned by their
clients, brokers have discretion to cast votes on routine
matters, such as the election of directors and ratification of
the appointment of independent registered public accounting
firms, without voting instructions from their clients. Brokers
are not permitted, however, to cast votes on
non-routine matters without such voting
instructions. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker
holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a
particular proposal because the broker does not have
discretionary voting power for that proposal and has not
received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.
Quorum
The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum,
permitting the Annual Meeting to conduct its business. Subject
to the rules regarding the votes necessary to adopt the
proposals discussed below, abstentions and broker non-votes (as
described above) will be counted for purposes of determining
whether a quorum is present. Once a share is represented for any
purpose at the Annual Meeting, it will be deemed present for
quorum purposes for the remainder of the Annual Meeting
(including any meeting resulting from an adjournment or
postponement of the Annual Meeting, unless a new record date is
set).
Votes necessary to approve each proposal
Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of a
plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting, either in
person or by proxy, is required for the election of directors.
This means that the individuals who receive the highest number
of votes will be elected as directors, up to the maximum number
of directors to be chosen at the Annual Meeting.
Other Items. For each other item, the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the item will be
required for approval.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted either in
favor of or against any of the proposals. For the election of
directors, which requires a plurality of the votes cast, votes
withheld from one or more nominees will be excluded entirely
from the vote and will have no effect on the outcome. For the
approval of an amendment and restatement of the Plan increasing
the number of shares that may be subject to awards thereunder by
6,670,000 shares and for the ratification of our
independent registered public accounting firm, each of which
proposals will be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the votes cast, abstentions will be counted for purposes of
determining the number of votes cast on the proposal and will
have the same effect
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as negative votes, but broker non-votes will not be counted as
shares present and entitled to vote with respect to matters on
which the broker has not expressly voted.
Certain stockholder-related matters
We have not received notice of any stockholder proposals that
may be properly presented at the Annual Meeting. For information
regarding inclusion of stockholder proposals in our 2007 Annual
Meeting, see the information in this Proxy Statement under the
section heading Other Matters Stockholder
Proposals for 2007 Annual Meeting.
AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
Householding of Annual Meeting materials
Some banks, brokers and other nominee record holders may
participate in the practice of householding proxy
statements and their accompanying documents. This means that
only one copy of our Proxy Statement is sent to multiple
stockholders in your household. We will promptly deliver a
separate copy of these documents to you upon written or oral
request to our Investor Relations Department at MarketAxess
Holdings Inc., 140 Broadway, 42nd Floor,
New York, NY 10005 or
212-813-6000. If you
want to receive separate copies of our proxy statements in the
future, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like
to receive only one copy per household, you should contact your
bank, broker or other nominee record holder, or you may contact
us at the above address and phone number.
Additional information
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other reports with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of these filings
are available through our Internet website at
www.marketaxess.com or the SECs website at
www.sec.gov. We will furnish copies of our SEC filings (without
exhibits), including our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, without charge to any
stockholder upon written or oral request to our Investor
Relations Department at MarketAxess Holdings Inc.,
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10005 or
212-813-6000.
PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The first proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting is the
election of directors. The directors will be elected for a term
which begins at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and ends
at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each director will
hold office until such directors successor has been
elected and qualified, or until such directors earlier
resignation or removal.
Your vote
If you sign the enclosed proxy card and return it to the
Company, your proxy will be voted FOR all directors, for
terms expiring in 2007, unless you specifically indicate on the
proxy card that you are withholding authority to vote for one or
more of the nominees.
A plurality of the votes cast by stockholders entitled to vote
at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of directors.
Accordingly, the directorships to be filled at the Annual
Meeting will be filled by the nominees receiving the highest
number of votes. In the election of directors, votes may be cast
in favor of or withheld with respect to any or all nominees.
Votes that are withheld will be excluded entirely from the vote
and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
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Board recommendation
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the
election of each of the following nominees:
Richard
M. McVey
Stephen
P. Casper
David
G. Gomach
Carlos
M. Hernandez
Ronald
M. Hersch
Wayne
D. Lyski
Jerome
S. Markowitz
Nicolas
S. Rohatyn
John
Steinhardt
Each of these nominees is currently serving as a director on our
Board, and each nominee has agreed to serve on the Board if he
is elected. If any nominee is unable (or for whatever reason
declines) to serve as a director at any time before the Annual
Meeting, proxies may be voted for the election of a qualified
substitute designated by the current Board, or else the size of
the Board will be reduced accordingly.
Biographical information about each of the nominees is included
under Director information below.
Director information
Our Board currently consists of nine directors, eight of whom
are not our employees.
At the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, the Board has
nominated the persons named below to serve as directors of the
Company for a term beginning at the 2006 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and ending at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
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Richard M. McVey
Director since April 2000
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Richard M. McVey (46) has been President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors since
our inception. As an employee of J.P. Morgan &
Co., one of our founding broker-dealers, Mr. McVey was
instrumental in the founding of MarketAxess in April 2000.
Prior to founding MarketAxess, Mr. McVey was Managing
Director and Head of North America Fixed Income Sales at
JPMorgan, where he managed the institutional distribution of
fixed-income securities to investors, from 1996 until
April 2000. In that capacity, he was responsible for
developing and maintaining senior client relationships across
all market areas, including fixed-income, equities, emerging
markets, foreign exchange and derivatives. From 1992 to 1996,
Mr. McVey led JPMorgans North America Futures and
Options Business, including institutional brokerage, research,
operations, finance and compliance. Mr. McVey received a
B.A. in Finance from Miami (Ohio) University and an M.B.A. from
Indiana University. |
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Stephen P. Casper
Director since April 2004
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Stephen P. Casper (56) is the Chief Executive
Officer of Fischer Francis Trees & Watts, Inc., a
specialist manager of U.S., global and international fixed
income portfolios for institutional clients, a position he has
held since April 2004. Mr. Casper joined Fischer
Francis Trees & Watts as Chief Financial Officer in
1990 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2001.
From 1984 until 1990, Mr. Casper was Treasurer of the
Rockefeller Family Office. Mr. Casper is President and a
director of FFTW Funds, Inc., a publicly traded mutual fund.
Mr. Casper is a member of the board of The Depository
Trust & Clearing Corporation, chairman of its Audit
Committee, and a member of the board of its subsidiaries, the
Depository Trust Company, the National Securities Clearing
Corporation, the Emerging Markets Clearing Corporation and |
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the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation. Mr. Casper is a
Certified Public Accountant and received a B.B.A. in accounting
from Baruch College, where he graduated
magna cum laude, Beta Gamma Sigma, and
an M.S. in finance and accounting from The Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania. |
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David G. Gomach
Director since February 2005
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David G. Gomach (47) held various positions at the
Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) from 1987 until
November 2004. From June 1997 until his retirement
from the CME in November 2004, he served as Chief Financial
Officer. From 1996 until 1997, Mr. Gomach served as Vice
President, Internal Audit and Administration. Also, during his
tenure at the CME, he was a Senior Director and Assistant
Controller. Prior to joining the CME, Mr. Gomach held
positions at Perkin-Elmer, Singer Corporation and Mercury
Marine, a subsidiary of Brunswick Corporation. Mr. Gomach
is a Certified Public Accountant and received a B.S. from the
University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and an M.B.A. from Roosevelt
University. |
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Carlos M. Hernandez
Director Since February 2006
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Carlos M. Hernandez (45) is the Head of Global
Equities for JPMorgan. Mr. Hernandez has been with JPMorgan
since 1986, working on a wide array of advisory and financing
transactions for both corporations and governments, across
various product groups and geographic regions. Prior to his
current position, Mr. Hernandez spearheaded all forms of
capital raising and distribution in the fixed income, syndicated
loans and equity markets. Previously, Mr. Hernandez managed
the Institutional Equities business for the Americas. Before
joining the Equities Division, Mr. Hernandez served as
JPMorgans regional executive for Latin America.
Mr. Hernandez is a member of JPMorgans Global
Investment Banking Management Committee. |
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Ronald M. Hersch
Director since July 2000
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Ronald M. Hersch (58) is a Senior Managing Director
and Director of Futures and Fixed Income eCommerce for Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc., where he has been employed since
1992. He is responsible for directing the firms futures
business as well as coordinating eCommerce activities and
initiatives within the Fixed Income Division. Mr. Hersch
has also served on the board of directors of Bond Desk Group LLC
since August 2000. He is a former Chairman of the Futures
Industry Association, where he now serves on the board of
directors and Executive Committee. Mr. Hersch has
previously served on the board of directors of the Chicago Board
of Trade, and is a former Director of the National Futures
Association, the self-regulatory organization responsible for
futures industry oversight. He is also a member of the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange, the New York Board of Trade and the
Comex Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Mr. Hersch received a B.A. from Long Island University. |
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Wayne D. Lyski
Director since April 2004
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Wayne D. Lyski (64) has been a hedge fund manager
with Lee Munder Capital Group since April 2004. From 1983
until January 2004, Mr. Lyski held a series of
positions at Alliance Capital Management, most recently as
Executive Vice President from January 1995 until
January 2004. From January 1995 until June 2002,
Mr. Lyski was also Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of
Alliance Capital Managements fixed income division.
Mr. Lyski is a former member of the Treasury
Departments Borrowing Advisory Committee and was inducted
into the Fixed Income Analysts Societys Hall of Fame in
1998. |
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Mr. Lyski received a B.A. with high honors from Seattle
Pacific University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania. |
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Jerome S. Markowitz
Director since March 2001
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Jerome S. Markowitz (66) has been actively involved
in managing a private investment portfolio since 1998. Prior to
that, Mr. Markowitz was Director of Capital Markets for
Montgomery Securities from 1987 to 1998, a Managing Director at
Rothchilds Securities Inc. from 1986 to 1987, and a Senior
Managing Director at Prudential Bache from 1983 to 1986. |
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Nicolas S. Rohatyn
Director since April 2000
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Nicolas S. Rohatyn (45) has been the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Investment Officer of TRG Management
L.P., the investment manager of the TRG Global Opportunity
Master Fund, Ltd., since March 2003. From 1982 until 2001,
Mr. Rohatyn held a series of positions at JPMorgan, most
recently as Executive Director of JPMorgan and Co-Head of
LabMorgan from March 2000 until September 2001 and as
Managing Director and co-Head of Global Fixed Income from
January 1999 until March 2000. Mr. Rohatyn was
also a member of the executive management team at JPMorgan from
January 1995 until December 2000. Mr. Rohatyn
founded the Emerging Markets Traders Association in 1990 and he
served as its Chairman from then until 1994. He currently serves
on the board of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Mr. Rohatyn received a B.A. in Economics from Brown
University. |
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John Steinhardt
Director since April 2000
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John Steinhardt (52) was Chief Executive Officer and
the Chief Investment Officer of Spectrum Investment Management
from April 2005 to December 2005. Until
October 2004, Mr. Steinhardt was Head of North
American Credit Markets for JP Morgan Chase & Co. and a
member of the Management Committee of the Investment Banking
Division of JP Morgan Chase & Co. Prior to the
merger of J.P. Morgan & Co. and the Chase
Manhattan Bank, Mr. Steinhardt was the Head of
U.S. Securities at Chase Securities Inc. and a member of
the Management Committee from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Steinhardt
received a B.S. in Economics from St. Lawrence University and an
M.B.A from Columbia University. |
How nominees to our Board are selected
Candidates for election to our Board of Directors are nominated
by our Nominating Committee (the Nominating
Committee) and ratified by our full Board of Directors for
nomination to the stockholders. The Committee operates under a
charter, which is available on our corporate website at
www.marketaxess.com.
The Nominating Committee will give due consideration to
candidates recommended by stockholders. Stockholders may
recommend candidates for the Nominating Committees
consideration by submitting such recommendations directly to the
Nominating Committee by mail or electronically. In making
recommendations, stockholders should be mindful of the
discussion of minimum qualifications set forth in the following
paragraph. However, just because a recommended individual meets
the minimum qualification standards does not imply that the
Nominating Committee will necessarily nominate the person so
recommended by a stockholder. The Nominating Committee may
engage outside search firms to assist in identifying or
evaluating potential nominees. We did not employ outside search
firms or pay fees to other third parties in connection with
seeking or evaluating any of the Board nominee candidates or any
potential Board nominee candidate.
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The Nominating Committee believes that the minimum
qualifications for serving on our Board are that a nominee have
substantial experience working as an executive officer for, or
serving on the board of, a public company, or that he or she
demonstrates by significant accomplishment in another given
field of endeavor, an ability to make a meaningful contribution
to the oversight and governance of a company having a scope and
size similar to our Company. A director must have an exemplary
reputation and record for honesty in his or her personal
dealings and business or professional activity. All directors
should possess a basic understanding of financial matters; have
an ability to review and understand the Companys financial
and other reports; and be able to discuss such matters
intelligently and effectively. He or she also needs to exhibit
qualities of independence in thought and action. A candidate
should be committed first and foremost to the interests of the
stockholders of the Company. Persons who represent a particular
special interest, ideology, narrow perspective or point of view
would not, therefore, generally be considered good candidates
for election to our Board.
Board committees
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors reviews, acts on
and reports to our Board of Directors with respect to various
auditing and accounting matters, including the recommendation of
our independent registered public accounting firm, the scope of
the annual audits, the fees to be paid to the independent
registered public accounting firm, the performance of the
independent registered public accounting firm and our accounting
practices. The Audit Committee currently consists of
Messrs. Casper (Chair), Gomach and Markowitz. The Board of
Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee
is an independent director in accordance with NASDAQ listing
standards and that Mr. Casper and Mr. Gomach are both
Audit Committee financial experts, as defined by SEC guidelines
and as required by the applicable NASDAQ listing standards.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors recommends,
reviews and oversees the salaries, benefits and stock option
plans for our employees, consultants, directors (other than
non-employee directors) and other individuals whom we
compensate. The Compensation Committee also administers our
compensation plans. The Compensation Committee currently
consists of Messrs. Lyski and Rohatyn. The Board of
Directors has determined that each member of the Compensation
Committee is an independent director in accordance with NASDAQ
listing standards.
The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors will select
nominees for director positions to be recommended by our Board
of Directors for election as directors and for any vacancies in
such positions. The Nominating Committee currently consists of
Messrs. Casper and Rohatyn. The Board of Directors has
determined that each member of the Nominating Committee is an
independent director in accordance with NASDAQ listing standards.
Meetings and attendance
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the full Board
held five meetings; the Audit Committee held nine meetings; the
Compensation Committee held one meeting and acted by unanimous
written consent on five other occasions; and the Nominating
Committee held one meeting and acted by unanimous written
consent on one other occasion. We expect each director to attend
each meeting of the full Board and of committees on which he
serves and to attend the annual meeting of stockholders. All
directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the full
Board and the meetings of the committees on which they served.
Communicating with our Board members
Although our Board of Directors has not adopted a formal process
for stockholder communications with the Board, we make every
effort to ensure that the views of stockholders are heard by the
Board or by individual directors, as applicable, and we believe
that this has been an effective process to date. Stockholders
may communicate with the Board by sending a letter to the
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Board of Directors, c/o General
Counsel, 140 Broadway, 42nd Floor, New York,
New York 10005. The General Counsel will receive the
correspondence and forward it to the Chairman of the Board or to
any individual director or
8
directors to whom the communication is directed, as appropriate.
Notwithstanding the above, the General Counsel has the authority
to discard or disregard any communication which is unduly
hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise inappropriate or to
take any other appropriate actions with respect to such
communications.
In addition, any person, whether or not an employee, who has a
concern about the conduct of the Company or our employees,
including with respect to our accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing issues, may, in a confidential or anonymous
manner, communicate that concern in writing by addressing a
letter to the Chairman of the Audit Committee,
c/o Corporate Secretary, at our corporate headquarters
address, which is 140 Broadway, 42nd Floor,
New York, New York 10005, or electronically, at our
corporate website, www.marketaxess.com under the heading
Investors Board of Directors
Confidential Ethics Web Form.
Director compensation
Other than Richard M. McVey, who is our only director who is
also an employee, each non-employee director other than
Mr. Hernandez receives an annual retainer equal to $40,000.
The chairman of the Audit Committee receives a supplemental
annual retainer of $7,500 and the chairman of the Compensation
Committee receives a supplemental annual retainer of $5,000. In
addition, each non-employee director other than
Mr. Hernandez receives $1,000 for each meeting of our Board
of Directors, $2,000 for each meeting of the Audit Committee and
$1,000 for each meeting of the Compensation Committee and the
Nominating Committee, which the director attends. In August
2005, we issued 5,000 shares of restricted stock and
5,000 stock options to each non-employee director. At the
date of issuance, the restricted stock and stock options had a
fair value of $10.04 per share. The Board of Directors
recommends, reviews and oversees the stock option plans for our
non-employee directors. Mr. Hernandez employer,
JPMorgan, does not permit Mr. Hernandez to receive
compensation for his service as a director and, therefore, he
receives no cash payments or grants of restricted stock or stock
options from us. In the future, we expect to continue to
compensate our non-employee directors with a combination of cash
and grants of stock or stock options.
Corporate governance documents
The Board has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to all
officers, directors and employees, and a Code of Ethics for the
Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers. Both the
Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive
Officer and Senior Financial Officers, as well as any amendments
to, or waivers under, the Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive
Officer and Senior Financial Officers, can be accessed in the
Investors Corporate Governance section of our
website at www.marketaxess.com. You may also obtain a copy of
these documents by writing to MarketAxess Holdings Inc.,
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor, New York, New York
10005, Attention: Investor Relations.
Copies of the charters of our Boards Audit Committee,
Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, as well as
copies of the Companys certificate of incorporation and
bylaws, can be accessed in the Investors
Corporate Governance section of our website.
PROPOSAL 2 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND
RESTATEMENT
OF THE 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The second proposal to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting is
approval of an amendment and restatement of the MarketAxess
Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan),
to, among other things, increase the number of shares authorized
for issuance under the Plan from 3,084,802 (of which
55,049 shares are currently available for grant) to
9,754,802 shares and to authorize awards that comply with
the performance-based compensation exception under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). The Board approved the amended
and restated Plan effective April 28, 2006, subject to
stockholder approval.
9
The Board believes that increasing the number of shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan is necessary
to insure that a sufficient reserve of Common Stock remains
available for issuance to allow the Company to continue to
utilize equity incentives to attract and retain the services of
key individuals essential to the Companys long-term growth
and financial success. The Company currently relies
significantly on equity incentives in the form of stock option
and restricted stock grants in order to attract and retain key
employees and believes that equity incentives are necessary for
the Company to remain competitive in the marketplace for
executive talent and other employees. Equity grants made to
newly-hired or continuing employees will be based on both
competitive market conditions and individual performance.
Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a federal
income tax deduction to public companies for compensation over
$1,000,000 in any taxable year paid to its chief executive
officer or its four other most highly compensated executive
officers. Certain compensation, including qualified
performance-based compensation, is not subject to
the deduction limitation if certain requirements are met. The
Plan is currently exempt from Section 162(m) of the Code
under a transition rule relating to our initial public offering.
The transition rule, however, will not be available after the
amendment and restatement of the Plan takes effect. The Board
believes it is important to retain the ability to grant
incentive compensation that qualifies as
performance-based compensation in order to retain
the corporate tax deductibility of the payments.
Summary of the Plan
The following description of the Plan is a summary, taking into
account the recent amendments, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Plan, a copy of which is attached as
Appendix A.
Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to enhance the
profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its
stockholders by enabling the Company to offer eligible
employees, consultants, and non-employee directors stock-based
incentives in the Company, thereby creating a means to raise the
level of equity ownership by such individuals in order to
attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the
mutuality of interests between such individuals and the
Companys stockholders.
Administration. The Plan is administered by a committee,
which is intended to consist of two or more non-employee
directors, each of whom will be, to the extent required, a
non-employee director as defined in
Rule 16b-3 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, an outside director
as defined under Section 162(m) of the Code and an
independent director as defined under NASD Rule 4200(a)(15)
(the Committee); provided that with respect to the
application of the Plan to non-employee directors, the Plan will
be administered by the Board (and references to the Committee
include the Board for this purpose). Currently, the Compensation
Committee of the Board serves as the Committee under the Plan.
The Committee has full authority to administer and interpret the
Plan, to grant awards under the Plan, to determine the persons
to whom awards will be granted, to determine the types of awards
to be granted, to determine the terms and conditions of each
award, to determine the number of shares of common stock to be
covered by each award and to make all other determinations in
connection with the Plan and the awards thereunder as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.
The terms and conditions of individual awards are set forth in
written agreements that are consistent with the terms of the
Plan. Awards under the Plan may not be made on or after
April 1, 2014, except that awards (other than stock options
or stock appreciation rights) that are intended to be
performance-based under Section 162(m) of the
Code will not be made after the fifth anniversary of the
approval of the amendment and restatement of the Plan by the
Companys stockholders unless the performance goals are
re-approved (or other designated performance goals are approved)
by the stockholders.
Available Shares. The aggregate number of shares of
common stock which may be issued or used for reference purposes
under the Plan or with respect to which awards may be granted
may not exceed 9,754,802 shares, which may be either
authorized and unissued common stock or common stock held in or
acquired for the treasury of the Company. With respect to stock
appreciation rights settled in common stock, only the number of
shares of common stock delivered to a participant (based on the
difference between fair market value of the shares of common
stock subject to such stock appreciation right on the date such
stock appreciation right is exercised and the exercise price of
such stock appreciation right) will count against the
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aggregate and individual share limitations set forth under the
Plan. In general, if awards under the Plan are cancelled for any
reason, or expire or terminate unexercised, the shares covered
by such awards will again be available for the grant of awards
under the Plan.
The maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to
which any award of stock options, stock appreciation rights,
shares of restricted stock or other stock based awards for which
the grant of such award or the lapse of the relevant restriction
period is subject to the attainment of specified performance
goals intended to satisfy Section 162(m) of the Code that
may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year to any
eligible employee or consultant will be 950,000 shares (per
type of award). The maximum number of shares of common stock for
all types of awards will be 1,900,000 shares during any
fiscal year. There are no annual limits on the number of shares
of common stock with respect to an award of restricted stock
that is not subject to the attainment of specified performance
goals to eligible employees or consultants. The maximum number
of shares of common stock with respect to which performance
shares may be granted under the Plan during any fiscal year will
be 200,000 shares. The maximum value at grant of
performance units which may be granted under the Plan during any
fiscal year will be $500,000. The maximum number of shares of
common stock subject to any award which may be granted under the
Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to any non-employee
director will be 50,000 shares.
The Committee may appropriately adjust the above individual
maximum share limitations, the aggregate number of shares of
common stock available for the grant of awards and the exercise
price of an award in accordance with the Plan to reflect any
change in our capital structure or business by reason of certain
corporate transactions or events.
Eligibility and Types of Awards. All of our employees,
consultants and non-employee directors are eligible to be
granted nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, performance shares, performance units, and
other stock-based awards. In addition, our employees and
employees of our affiliates that qualify as subsidiaries or
parent corporations (as defined under Section 424 of the
Code) are eligible to be granted incentive stock options under
the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant,
awards granted under the Plan are subject to termination or
forfeiture if the recipient engages in Detrimental Activity (as
defined in the Plan) prior to, or during the one year period
after any vesting or exercise of the award.
Stock Options. The Committee may grant nonqualified stock
options and incentive stock options (only to eligible employees)
to purchase shares of common stock. The Committee will determine
the number of shares of common stock subject to each option, the
term of each option (which may not exceed ten years (or five
years in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a 10%
stockholder)), the exercise price, the vesting schedule (if
any), and the other material terms of each option. No stock
option may have an exercise price less than the fair market
value of the common stock at the time of grant (or, in the case
of an incentive stock option granted to a 10% stockholder, 110%
of fair market value).
Options will be exercisable at such time or times and subject to
such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee at
grant and the exercisability of such options may be accelerated
by the Committee in its sole discretion. Upon the exercise of an
option, the participant must make payment of the full exercise
price, either (i) in cash, check, bank draft or money
order; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by law, through
the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably
acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company an
amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other
terms and conditions as a may be acceptable to the Committee.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant stock
appreciation rights (SARs) either with a stock
option which may be exercised only at such times and to the
extent the related option is exercisable (Tandem
SAR) or independent of a stock option (Non-Tandem
SAR). A SAR is a right to receive a payment in common
stock or cash (as determined by the Committee) equal in value to
the excess of the fair market value of one share of common stock
on the date of exercise over the exercise price per share
established in connection with the grant of the SAR. The
exercise price per share of common stock subject to a SAR may
not be less than fair market value at the time of grant. The
Committee may also grant limited SARs, either as
Tandem SARs or Non-Tandem SARs, which may become exercisable
only upon the
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occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Plan) or
such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
designate at the time of grant or thereafter.
Restricted Stock. The Committee may award shares of
restricted stock. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee
upon the award of restricted stock, the recipient generally has
the rights of a stockholder with respect to the shares, subject
to the conditions and restrictions generally applicable to
restricted stock or specifically set forth in the
recipients restricted stock agreement.
Recipients of restricted stock are required to enter into a
restricted stock agreement with the Company which states the
restrictions to which the shares are subject, which may include
satisfaction of pre-established performance goals, and the
criteria or date or dates on which such restrictions will lapse.
If the grant of restricted stock or the lapse of the relevant
restrictions is based on the attainment of performance goals,
the Committee will establish for each recipient the applicable
performance goals, formulae or standards and the applicable
vesting percentages with reference to the attainment of such
goals or satisfaction of such formulas or standards while the
outcome of the performance goals are substantially uncertain.
Performance Shares. The Committee may award performance
shares. A performance share is the equivalent of one share of
common stock. The recipient of a grant of performance shares
will specify one or more performance criteria to meet within a
specified period determined by the Committee at the time of
grant. A minimum level of acceptable achievement will also be
established by the Committee. If, by the end of the performance
period, the recipient has achieved the specified performance
goals, he or she will be deemed to have fully earned the
performance shares. To the extent earned, the performance shares
will be paid to the recipient at the time and in the manner
determined by the Committee in cash, shares of common stock or
any combination thereof.
Performance Units. The Committee may award performance
units. Performance units will have a fixed dollar value. A
performance unit is the right to receive common stock or cash of
equivalent value. The recipient of a grant of performance units
will specify one or more performance criteria to meet within a
specified performance cycle determined by the Committee at the
time of grant. A minimum level of acceptable achievement will
also be established by the Committee. If, by the end of the
performance cycle, the recipient has achieved the specified
performance goals, he or she will be deemed to have fully earned
the performance units. To the extent earned, the performance
units will be paid to the recipient at the time and in the
manner determined by the Committee in cash, shares of common
stock or any combination thereof.
Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee may, subject to
limitations under applicable law, make a grant of such other
stock-based awards (including, without limitation, stock
equivalent units, restricted stock units, and awards valued by
reference to book value of shares of common stock) under the
Plan that are payable in cash or denominated or payable in or
valued by shares of common stock or factors that influence the
value of such shares. The Committee will determine the terms and
conditions of any such other awards, which may include the
achievement of certain minimum performance goals for purposes of
compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code and/or a minimum
vesting period.
Performance Goals. Code Section 162(m) requires that
performance awards be based upon objective performance measures.
If an award is intended to be performance based
under Code Section 162(m), the performance goals will be
based on one or more of the following criteria with regard to
the Company (or any subsidiary, division or other operational
unit of the Company):
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified
increase in, enterprise value or value creation targets; |
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage
increase in, after-tax or pre-tax profits, including that
attributable to continuing and/or other operations; |
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified
increase in, operational cash flow; |
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the attainment of a certain level of reduction of, or other
specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of
increase in all or a portion of, the Companys bank debt or
other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other
similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be
calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and
adjustments as may be established by the Committee; |
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the attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings
per share or earnings per share from continuing operations; |
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified
percentage increase in, net sales, revenues, net income or
earnings before income tax or other exclusions; |
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified
percentage increase in, return on capital employed or return on
invested capital; |
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the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified
percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax return on
stockholder equity; |
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the attainment of certain target levels in the fair market value
of the shares of the Companys common stock; |
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the growth in the value of an investment in the Companys
common stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; or |
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a transaction that results in the sale of all or substantially
all of the stock or assets of the Company. |
In addition, performance goals may be based upon the attainment
of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary, division or other
operational unit of the Company) performance under one or more
of the measures described above relative to the performance of
other corporations.
To the extent permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code
(including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements
for shareholder approval), the Committee may: (i) designate
additional business criteria on which the performance goals may
be based; or (ii) adjust, modify or amend the
aforementioned business criteria.
Change in Control. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee at the time of grant, awards subject to vesting and/or
restrictions will not accelerate and vest or cause the lapse of
restrictions upon a change in control (as defined in the Plan)
of the Company. Instead, such awards will be, in the discretion
of the Committee, (i) assumed and continued or substituted
in accordance with applicable law; or (ii) purchased by the
Company for an amount equal to the excess of the price of the
Companys common stock paid in a change in control over the
exercise price of the award(s). The Committee may also, in its
sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of
restrictions of an award at any time.
Amendment and Termination. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time amend any or
all of the provisions of the Plan, or suspend or terminate it
entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that,
unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided in the
Plan, the rights of a participant with respect to awards granted
prior to such amendment, suspension or termination may not be
adversely affected without the consent of such participant, and
provided further that the approval of our stockholders will be
obtained to the extent required by applicable law.
Miscellaneous. Awards granted under the Plan are
generally nontransferable (other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution), except that the Committee may provide
for the transferability of nonqualified stock options at the
time of grant or thereafter to certain family members.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences. The
rules concerning the federal income tax consequences with
respect to options granted and to be granted pursuant to the
Plan are quite technical. Moreover, the applicable statutory
provisions are subject to change, as are their interpretations
and applications, which may vary in individual circumstances.
Therefore, the following is designed to provide a general
understanding of the federal income tax consequences. In
addition, the following discussion does not set forth any gift,
estate, social security or state or local tax consequences that
may be applicable and is limited
13
to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to individuals
who are citizens or residents of the U.S., other than those
individuals who are taxed on a residence basis in a foreign
country.
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Incentive Stock Options. In general, an employee
will not realize taxable income upon either the grant or the
exercise of an incentive stock option and the Company will not
realize an income tax deduction at either such time. In general,
however, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, the excess
of the fair market value of the shares of common stock acquired
upon exercise of an incentive stock option (determined at the
time of exercise) over the exercise price of the incentive stock
option will be considered income. If the recipient was
continuously employed on the date of grant until the date three
months prior to the date of exercise and such recipient does not
sell the common stock received pursuant to the exercise of the
incentive stock option within either (i) two years after
the date of the grant of the incentive stock option or
(ii) one year after the date of exercise, a subsequent sale
of the common stock will result in long-term capital gain or
loss to the recipient and will not result in a tax deduction to
the Company. |
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To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined
as of the time of grant) of the common stock with respect to
which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time
by an eligible employee during any calendar year under the Plan
and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any
subsidiary or any parent exceeds $100,000, such options will be
treated as nonqualified stock options. In addition, if the
recipient is not continuously employed on the date of grant
until the date three months prior to the date of exercise or
such recipient disposes of the common stock acquired upon
exercise of the incentive stock option within either of the
above-mentioned time periods, the recipient will generally
realize as ordinary income an amount equal to the lesser of
(i) the fair market value of the common stock on the date
of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the amount
realized upon disposition over the exercise price. In such
event, subject to the limitations under Sections 162(m) and
280G of the Code (as described below), the Company generally
will be entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount
recognized as ordinary income. Any gain in excess of such amount
realized by the recipient as ordinary income would be taxed at
the rates applicable to short-term or long-term capital gains
(depending on the holding period). |
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Nonqualified Stock Options. A recipient will not
realize any taxable income upon the grant of a nonqualified
stock option and the Company will not receive a deduction at the
time of such grant unless such option has a readily
ascertainable fair market value (as determined under applicable
tax law) at the time of grant. Upon exercise of a nonqualified
stock option, the recipient generally will realize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value
of the common stock on the date of exercise over the exercise
price. Upon a subsequent sale of the common stock by the
recipient, the recipient will recognize short-term or long-term
capital gain or loss depending upon his or her holding period
for the common stock. Subject to the limitations under
Sections 162(m) and 280G of the Code (as described below),
the Company will generally be allowed a deduction equal to the
amount recognized by the recipient as ordinary income. |
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All Options. With regard to both incentive stock
options and nonqualified stock options, the following also
apply: (i) any of our officers and directors subject to
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, may be subject to special tax rules regarding the
income tax consequences concerning their stock options,
(ii) any entitlement to a tax deduction on the part of the
Company is subject to the applicable tax rules (including,
without limitation, Section 162(m) of the Code regarding
the $1,000,000 limitation on deductible compensation), and
(iii) in the event that the exercisability or vesting of
any award is accelerated because of a change in control,
payments relating to the awards (or a portion thereof), either
alone or together with certain other payments, may constitute
parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code, which
excess amounts may be subject to excise taxes and may be
nondeductible by the Company. |
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In general, Section 162(m) of the Code denies a publicly
held corporation a deduction for federal income tax purposes for
compensation in excess of $1,000,000 per year per person to
its chief executive officer and four other executive officers
whose compensation is disclosed in its proxy statement, subject
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certain exceptions. Options will generally qualify under one of
these exceptions if they are granted under a plan that states
the maximum number of shares with respect to which options may
be granted to any recipient during a specified period of time
and the plan under which the options are granted is approved by
stockholders and is administered by a committee comprised of
outside directors. The Plan is intended to satisfy these
requirements with respect to options. The Plan also is intended
to permit the grant of certain performance awards that will not
be subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limit. |
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The Plan is not subject to any of the requirements of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The
Plan is not, nor is it intended to be, qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code. |
Future Plan Awards. The Company anticipates that other
equity-based awards may be granted to the other named
individuals as well as to other employees, officers,
non-employee directors and consultants under the Plan. However,
the amount of shares of Common Stock that may be granted to the
named individuals will be based upon various prospective
factors, including, the nature of services to be rendered by our
employees, officers, non-employee directors and consultants, and
their potential contributions to our success. Accordingly,
actual awards cannot be determined at this time.
Your vote
Unless proxy cards are otherwise marked, the persons named as
proxies will vote FOR approval of the amendment and
restatement of our Plan that will, among other things, increase
the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance
under the Plan by 6,670,000 shares and authorize awards
that comply with the performance-based compensation
exception under Section 162(m) of the Code. Approval of
this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote on the proposal.
Board recommendation
The Board recommends that you vote FOR approval
of the amendment and restatement of the 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan.
PROPOSAL 3 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee of our Board has appointed the firm of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as our independent
registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated
financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2006,
and the Board is asking stockholders to ratify that selection.
Although current law, rules and regulations, as well as the
charter of the Audit Committee, require our independent
registered public accounting firm to be engaged, retained and
supervised by the Audit Committee, the Board considers the
selection of our independent registered public accounting firm
to be an important matter of stockholder concern and considers a
proposal for stockholders to ratify such selection to be an
important opportunity for stockholders to provide direct
feedback to the Board on an important issue of corporate
governance. In the event that stockholders fail to ratify the
appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not
to retain PwC, but may ultimately determine to retain PwC as our
independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the
appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its sole
discretion, may direct the appointment of a different
independent registered public accounting firm at any time during
the year if the Audit Committee determines that such a change
would be in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
Your vote
Unless proxy cards are otherwise marked, the persons named as
proxies will vote FOR the ratification of PwC as the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm for
the year ending December 31, 2006. Approval of this
proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote on the proposal.
15
Board recommendation
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the
ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for the year
ending December 31, 2006.
Information about our independent registered public
accounting firm
PwC has audited our consolidated financial statements each year
since our formation in 2000. Representatives of PwC will be
present at our Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so, and they will be available to
respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.
Audit and other fees
The aggregate fees billed by our independent registered public
accounting firm for professional services rendered in connection
with the audit of our annual financial statements set forth in
our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the audit of our
broker-dealer subsidiaries annual financial statements,
the reviews of the consolidated financial statements included in
the SEC filings relating to our initial public offering,
including services related thereto such as consents, and
assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC and
other regulatory bodies, as well as fees paid to PwC for tax
compliance and planning and other services, are set forth below.
Except as set forth in the following sentence, the Audit
Committee, or a designated member thereof, pre-approves 100% of
all audit, audited-related, tax, and other services rendered by
PwC to the Company or its subsidiaries. The Audit Committee has
authorized the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer to purchase permitted non-audit services rendered by PwC
to the Company or its subsidiaries up to and including a limit
of $10,000 per service and an annual limit of $20,000.
Immediately following the completion of each fiscal year, the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm
shall submit to the Audit Committee (and the Audit Committee
shall request from the independent registered public accounting
firm), as soon as possible, a formal written statement
describing: (i) the independent registered public
accounting firms internal quality-control procedures;
(ii) any material issues raised by the most recent internal
quality-control review or peer review of the independent
registered public accounting firm, or by any inquiry or
investigation by governmental or professional authorities,
within the preceding five years, respecting one or more
independent audits carried out by the independent registered
public accounting firm, and any steps taken to deal with any
such issues; and (iii) all relationships between the
independent registered public accounting firm and the Company,
including at least the matters set forth in Independence
Standards Board No. 1 (Independence Discussion with
Audit Committees), in order to assess the independent
registered public accounting firms independence.
Immediately following the completion of each fiscal year, the
independent registered public accounting firm also shall submit
to the Audit Committee (and the Audit Committee shall request
from the independent registered public accounting firm), a
formal written statement of the fees billed by the independent
registered public accounting firm to the Company in each of the
last two fiscal years for each of the following categories of
services rendered by the independent registered public
accounting firm: (i) the audit of the Companys annual
financial statements and the reviews of the financial statements
included in the Companys Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q or
services that are normally provided by the independent
registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory
and regulatory filings or engagements; (ii) assurance and
related services not included in clause (i) that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of
the Companys financial statements, in the aggregate and by
each service; (iii) tax compliance, tax advice and tax
planning services, in the aggregate and by each service; and
(iv) all other products and services rendered by the
independent registered public accounting firm, in the aggregate
and by each service.
16
The following table shows information about fees paid by the
Company to PwC during the fiscal years ended December 31,
2005 and 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fee Category |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees(1)
|
|
$ |
1,661,276 |
|
|
$ |
1,323,971 |
|
Tax Fees(2)
|
|
|
184,832 |
|
|
|
280,614 |
|
Audit Related Fees
|
|
|
40,389 |
|
|
|
|
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
1,626 |
|
|
|
1,629 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,888,123 |
|
|
$ |
1,606,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The aggregate fees incurred include amounts for the audit of the
Companys consolidated financial statements (including fees
for the audit of our internal controls over financial
reporting), the audit of our broker-dealer subsidiaries
annual financial statements, the reviews of the consolidated
financial statements included in the SEC filings related to our
initial public offering, including services related thereto such
as consents, and assistance with and review of documents filed
with the SEC and other regulatory bodies. |
|
(2) |
The aggregate fees incurred for tax services include amounts in
connection with tax compliance and tax consulting services. |
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Casper
(Chair), Gomach, and Markowitz. Each member of the Audit
Committee is independent, as independence is defined for
purposes of Audit Committee membership by the listing standards
of NASDAQ and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
The Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee
is financially literate, in other words, is able to read and
understand fundamental financial statements, including the
Companys balance sheet, income statement and cash flow
statement, as required by NASDAQ rules. In addition, the Board
has determined that both Mr. Casper and Mr. Gomach
satisfy the NASDAQ rule requiring that at least one member of
our Boards Audit Committee have past employment experience
in finance or accounting, requisite professional certification
in accounting, or any other comparable experience or background
which results in the members financial sophistication,
including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief
financial officer or other senior officer with financial
oversight responsibilities. The Board has also determined that
both Mr. Casper and Mr. Gomach are financial
experts as defined by the SEC.
The Audit Committee appoints our independent registered public
accounting firm, reviews the plan for and the results of the
independent audit, approves the fees of our independent
registered public accounting firm, reviews with management and
the independent registered public accounting firm our quarterly
and annual financial statements and our internal accounting,
financial and disclosure controls, reviews and approves
transactions between the Company and its officers, directors and
affiliates and performs other duties and responsibilities as set
forth in a charter approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of
the Audit Committee charter is available in the
Investors Corporate Governance section of the
Companys website.
During fiscal year 2005, the Audit Committee met nine times. The
Companys senior financial management and independent
registered public accounting firm were in attendance at such
meetings. Following at least one meeting during each calendar
quarter during 2005, the Audit Committee conducted a private
session with the independent registered public accounting firm,
without the presence of management.
The management of the Company is responsible for the preparation
and integrity of the financial reporting information and related
systems of internal controls. The Audit Committee, in carrying
out its role, relies on the Companys senior management,
including particularly its senior financial management, to
prepare financial statements with integrity and objectivity and
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
relies upon the Companys independent registered public
accounting firm to review or audit, as applicable, such
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards.
17
We have reviewed and discussed with senior management the
Companys audited financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005, included in the Companys 2005
Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Management has confirmed to us that such financial statements
(i) have been prepared with integrity and objectivity and
are the responsibility of management and (ii) have been
prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
In discharging our oversight responsibility as to the audit
process, we have discussed with PwC, the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm, the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees,
(SAS 61). SAS 61 requires our independent registered
public accounting firm to provide us with additional information
regarding the scope and results of their audit of the
Companys financial statements, including: (i) their
responsibilities under generally accepted auditing standards,
(ii) significant accounting policies, (iii) management
judgments and estimates, (iv) any significant accounting
adjustments, (v) any disagreements with management and
(vi) any difficulties encountered in performing the audit.
We have obtained from PwC a letter providing the disclosures
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussion with Audit Committees) with
respect to any relationship between PwC and the Company that in
PwCs professional judgment may reasonably be thought to
bear on independence. PwC has discussed its independence with
us, and has confirmed in its letter to us that, in its
professional judgment, it is independent of the Company within
the meaning of the United States securities laws.
Based upon the foregoing review and discussions with our
independent registered public accounting firm and senior
management of the Company, we have recommended to our Board that
the financial statements prepared by the Companys
management and audited by its independent registered public
accounting firm be included in the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K, for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
Committee also has appointed PwC as the Companys
independent registered public accounting firm for 2006.
As specified in its Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit
Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the
Companys financial statements are complete and accurate
and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
These are the responsibilities of the Companys management
and independent registered public accounting firm. In
discharging our duties as a Committee, we have relied on
(i) managements representations to us that the
financial statements prepared by management have been prepared
with integrity and objectivity and in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles and (ii) the report of the
Companys independent registered public accounting firm
with respect to such financial statements.
|
|
|
Submitted by the Audit Committee of the |
|
Companys Board of Directors |
|
|
Stephen P. Casper Chair |
|
David G. Gomach |
|
Jerome S. Markowitz |
April 17, 2006
18
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Companys Common Stock as of
April 17, 2006 by (i) each person or group of
affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own more than
five percent of our Common Stock, (ii) our Named Executive
Officers, (iii) each of our directors and nominees for
director and (iv) all of our directors and executive
officers as a group.
The following table gives effect to the shares of Common Stock
issuable within 60 days of April 17, 2006 upon the
exercise of all options and other rights beneficially owned by
the indicated stockholders on that date. Beneficial ownership is
determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3
promulgated under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and includes voting and investment power
with respect to shares. Percentage of beneficial ownership is
based on 26,171,809 shares of Common Stock outstanding at
April 17, 2006. Except as otherwise noted below, each
person or entity named in the following table has sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of our Common
Stock that he, she or it beneficially owns.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner
listed below is c/o MarketAxess Holdings Inc.,
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Common | |
|
|
Beneficially | |
|
Stock | |
|
|
Owned | |
|
Outstanding | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
5% Stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banc of America Strategic Investments Corp.(1)
|
|
|
1,540,692 |
|
|
|
5.89 |
% |
|
Bear Market Axess Corp.(2)
|
|
|
2,597,285 |
|
|
|
9.56 |
% |
|
Credit Suisse(3)
|
|
|
2,727,168 |
|
|
|
9.99 |
% |
|
Deutsche Bank AG(4)
|
|
|
1,397,478 |
|
|
|
5.25 |
% |
|
J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC), L.P.(5)
|
|
|
1,927,168 |
|
|
|
7.06 |
% |
|
LabMorgan Corporation(6)
|
|
|
1,927,168 |
|
|
|
7.06 |
% |
|
|
Total for entities affiliated with J.P. Morgan
Chase & Co.
|
|
|
2,727,168 |
|
|
|
9.99 |
% |
|
LB I Group Inc.(7)
|
|
|
2,620,158 |
|
|
|
9.53 |
% |
|
J. Carlo Cannell(8)
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
|
5.73 |
% |
|
Royce & Associates, LLC(9)
|
|
|
1,451,700 |
|
|
|
5.55 |
% |
Named Executive Officers and Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard M. McVey(10)
|
|
|
2,809,449 |
|
|
|
10.29 |
% |
|
Iain N. Baillie(11)
|
|
|
276,954 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
% |
|
Thomas M. Thees(12)
|
|
|
139,975 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
James N. B. Rucker(13)
|
|
|
212,872 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Nicholas Themelis(14)
|
|
|
133,894 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Stephen P. Casper(15)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Carlos M. Hernandez(16)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ronald M. Hersch(17)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
David G. Gomach(18)
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Wayne D. Lyski(15)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Jerome S. Markowitz(19)
|
|
|
37,848 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Nicolas S. Rohatyn(20)
|
|
|
28,334 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
John Steinhardt(15)
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(13 persons)(21)
|
|
|
3,734,326 |
|
|
|
13.33 |
% |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Information regarding Banc of America Strategic Investments
Corp. was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed by Banc of
America Strategic Investments Corp. with the SEC. The principal
business address of |
19
|
|
|
|
|
Banc of America Strategic Investments Corp. is 100 North
Tryon Street, Floor 25, Bank of America Corporate Center,
Charlotte, NC 28255. |
|
|
(2) |
Information regarding Bear Market Axess Corp. was obtained from
a Schedule 13G filed by Bear Market Axess Corp. with the
SEC. Consists of 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock,
425,317 shares of non-voting common stock presently
convertible into shares of Common Stock and 571,968 shares
of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant that is
presently exercisable. Bear Market Axess Corp. is an indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. The
principal business address of Bear Market Axess Corp. is
383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179. |
|
|
(3) |
Information regarding Credit Suisse was obtained from a
Schedule 13G filed by Credit Suisse with the SEC. Consists
of 1,600,000 shares of Common Stock and an aggregate of
1,127,168 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any
combination of non-voting common stock that is presently
convertible and a warrant that is presently exercisable.
Excludes an aggregate of 377,315 shares from any
combination of the remaining portion of the non-voting common
stock and the remaining portion of this warrant, because the
terms of the non-voting common stock and the warrant contain a
limitation on acquiring shares of Common Stock if the conversion
or exercise would result in the holder beneficially owning more
than 9.99% of our outstanding Common Stock. In total,
539,725 shares of non-voting common stock are owned by the
holder and 964,758 shares are subject to the warrant.
Credit Suisse (the Bank), a Swiss bank, filed the
Schedule 13G on behalf of its subsidiaries to the extent
that they constitute the Investment Banking division (the
Investment Banking division). The ultimate parent
entity of the Bank is Credit Suisse Group, a corporation formed
under the laws of Switzerland. The address of the Banks
principal business and office is Uetlibergstrasse 231, P.O.
Box 900, CH 8070 Zurich, Switzerland. The address of
the Investment Banking divisions principal business and
office in the United States is Eleven Madison Avenue, New York,
New York 10010. Does not include 9,664 shares of Common
Stock held by Ares Leveraged Investment Fund, L.P. and
9,664 shares of Common Stock held by Ares Leveraged
Investment Fund II, L.P. An affiliate of CSG is a limited
partner of each of these limited partnerships. CSG disclaims
beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of its
pecuniary interest therein. |
|
|
(4) |
Information regarding Deutsche Bank AG was obtained from a
Schedule 13G filed by Deutsche Bank AG with the SEC.
Consists of 972,161 shares of Common Stock and an aggregate
of 425,317 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
shares of non-voting common stock that are presently
convertible. The principal business address of Deutsche Bank AG
is Taunusanlage 12, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Federal
Republic of Germany. |
|
|
(5) |
Information regarding J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC),
L.P. was obtained from a Schedule 13G filed by
J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC), L.P. with the SEC.
Consists of 800,000 shares of Common Stock and
1,127,168 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
non-voting common stock that is presently convertible. Excludes
98,149 shares from the remaining portion of the non-voting
common stock, because the terms of the non-voting common stock
contain a limitation on acquiring shares of Common Stock if the
conversion or exercise would result in the holder beneficially
owning more than 9.99% of our outstanding Common Stock. In
total, 1,225,317 shares of non-voting common stock are
owned by the holder. The general partner of J.P. Morgan
Partners (23A SBIC), L.P. is J.P. Morgan Partners
(23A SBIC Manager), Inc., an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The principal
business address of J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC),
L.P. is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. |
|
|
(6) |
Information regarding LabMorgan Corporation was obtained from a
Schedule 13G filed by LabMorgan Corporation with the SEC.
Consists of 800,000 shares of Common Stock and an aggregate
of 1,127,168 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to
any combination of non-voting common stock that is presently
convertible and a warrant that is presently exercisable.
Excludes an aggregate of 1,466,802 shares from any
combination of the remaining portion of the non-voting common
stock and the remaining portion of this warrant, because the
terms of the non-voting common stock and the warrant contain a
limitation on acquiring shares of Common Stock if the conversion
or exercise would result in the holder beneficially owning more
than 9.99% of our outstanding Common Stock. In total, |
20
|
|
|
|
|
1,360,337 shares of non-voting common stock are owned by
the holder and 1,233,633 shares are subject to the warrant.
LabMorgan Corporation is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
JPMorgan Chase & Co. The principal business address of
LabMorgan Corporation is 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
NY 10020. |
|
|
(7) |
Information regarding LB I Group Inc. was obtained from a
Schedule 13G filed by LB I Group Inc. with the SEC.
Consists of 1,290,800 shares of Common Stock,
425,317 shares of nonvoting common stock presently
convertible into shares of Common Stock and a warrant that is
presently exercisable for 904,041 shares of Common Stock.
LB I Group Inc. is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. The principal business address of
LB I Group Inc. is 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY
10019. |
|
|
(8) |
Information regarding J. Carlo Cannell was obtained from a
Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Cannell with the SEC.
Mr. Cannell is the controlling member of Cannell Capital,
LLC (Adviser). The Adviser acts as the investment
adviser to The Cuttyhunk Fund Limited, The Anegada Master Fund
Limited and TE Cannell Portfolio, Ltd. and is the general
partner of and investment adviser to Tonga Partners, L.P. The
principal office and business address of Mr. Cannell is
150 California Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco,
CA 94111. |
|
|
(9) |
Information regarding Royce & Associates, LLC was
obtained from a Schedule 13G filed by Royce &
Associates, LLC with the SEC. The principal business address of
Royce & Associates, LLC is 1414 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, NY 10019. |
|
|
(10) |
Consists of (i) 709,716 shares of Common Stock owned
by Mr. McVey individually; (ii) 435,000 shares of
restricted stock; (iii) 1,139,579 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options granted to
Mr. McVey that are or become exercisable within
60 days; and (iv) 525,154 shares of Common Stock
owned of record by a trust for the benefit of Mr. McVey and
his family members. Does not include 13,195 shares of
Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(11) |
Consists of (i) 30,000 shares of restricted stock; and
(ii) 246,954 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant
to stock options that are or become exercisable within
60 days. Does not include 58,046 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(12) |
Consists of (i) 40,000 shares of restricted stock; and
(ii) 99,975 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant
to stock options that are or become exercisable within
60 days. Does not include 215,025 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(13) |
Consists of (i) 53,434 shares of Common Stock;
(ii) 22,500 shares of restricted stock; and
(iii) 136,938 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant
to stock options that are or become exercisable within
60 days. Does not include 38,063 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(14) |
Consists of (i) 40,000 shares of restricted stock; and
(ii) 93,894 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant
to stock options that are or become exercisable within
60 days. Does not include 91,106 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(15) |
Consists of 5,000 shares of restricted stock and
15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
options that are or become exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(16) |
Does not include shares of Common Stock and other MarketAxess
securities held by J.P. Morgan Partners (23A SBIC),
L.P. or LabMorgan Corporation, each of which is a direct
wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Mr. Hernandez disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. |
|
(17) |
Consists of 5,000 shares of restricted stock and
15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
options that are or become exercisable within 60 days. Does
not include shares of Common Stock and other MarketAxess
securities held by Bear Market Axess Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., as
Mr. Hersch does not have voting or dispositive power with
respect to such shares. Mr. Hersch disclaims beneficial
ownership of such shares. |
21
|
|
(18) |
Consists of 5,000 shares of restricted stock and
10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
options that are or become exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(19) |
Consists of (i) 2,707 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Markowitz individually; (ii) 5,000 shares of
restricted stock held by Mr. Markowitz;
(iii) 23,334 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant
to stock options granted to Mr. Markowitz that are or
become exercisable within 60 days; and
(iv) 6,807 shares of Common Stock held by
Mr. Markowitz in joint tenancy with his spouse. |
|
(20) |
Consists of 5,000 shares of restricted stock and
23,334 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
options that are or become exercisable within 60 days. |
|
(21) |
Consists of (i) 1,297,818 shares of Common Stock;
(ii) 602,500 shares of restricted stock; and
(iii) 1,834,008 shares of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to stock options that are or become exercisable within
60 days. Does not include 415,435 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to stock options that are not
exercisable within 60 days. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive officers and key employees
Set forth below is information concerning our executive officers
and key employees as of April 17, 2006.
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Name |
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Age | |
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Position |
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| |
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Executive Officers
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Richard M. McVey
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|
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46 |
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors |
|
Thomas M. Thees
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45 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
Iain N. Baillie
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
Head of MarketAxess Europe |
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James N.B. Rucker
|
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49 |
|
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Nicholas Themelis
|
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42 |
|
|
Chief Information Officer |
Key Employees
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Cordelia Boise
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41 |
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Head of Human Resources |
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Charles R. Hood
|
|
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57 |
|
|
General Counsel and Secretary |
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Michael Sacks
|
|
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58 |
|
|
Head of Global Applications Development |
|
Richard J. Schiffman
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Head of Business Development and Strategy |
Richard M. McVey has been President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors since our
inception. See Proposal 1 Election of
Directors Director information for a
discussion of Mr. McVeys business experience.
Thomas M. Thees has been Chief Operating Officer since
February 2005, with primary responsibility for running our North
American Credit Operations. Prior to joining us, Mr. Thees
served from 2000 to February 2005 as a Managing Director and
Head of Investment Grade Trading North America at Morgan
Stanley. From 1988 to 2000, Mr. Thees served in a variety
of trading and origination roles at Morgan Stanley, most notably
as Head of Primary and Secondary medium term note trading. Prior
to his tenure at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Thees held various
positions at Goldman Sachs and Citibank. Mr. Thees was the
Chairman of the Investment Grade Committee at The Bond Market
Association from 2000 to 2005. He also served on The Bond Market
Associations Board of Directors from 2000 to 2002.
Mr. Thees received an A.B. in International Relations from
Georgetown University, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar.
Iain N. Baillie has been Head of MarketAxess Europe since
March 2003, with primary responsibility for running our European
business. Prior to joining us, Mr. Baillie served as a
Managing Director and Head of European Investment Grade Credit
Trading at Citibank/ Schroder Salomon Smith Barney (Citibank/
SSSB) from March 1998 to March 2003. From August 1996 to March
1998, Mr. Baillie was Head of the Sterling trading desk at
Citibank/ SSSB. Prior to his tenure at Citibank/ SSSB,
Mr. Baillie co-founded and was a
22
management team member of Luthy Baillie Dowsett &
Pethick, a research-driven agency brokerage firm that
specialized in less liquid credit instruments.
James N.B. Rucker has been Chief Financial Officer since
June 2004. From our formation in April 2000 through June 2004,
Mr. Rucker was Head of Finance and Operations, with
responsibility for finance and certain client and dealer
services. From January 1995 to April 2000, Mr. Rucker was
Vice President and Head of International Fixed Income Operations
at Chase Manhattan Bank, where he was responsible for the
settlement of international securities and loan, option and
structured trades. He also was a Director of the Emerging
Markets Clearing Corporation from 1999 to 2000. Mr. Rucker
received a B.S. in Economics and Politics from Bristol
University, England.
Nicholas Themelis has been Chief Information Officer
since March 2005. From June 2004 through February 2005,
Mr. Themelis was Head of Technology and Product Delivery.
From March 2004 to June 2004, Mr. Themelis was Head of
Product Delivery. Prior to joining us, Mr. Themelis was a
Principal at Promontory Group, an investment and advisory firm
focused on the financial services sector, from November 2003 to
March 2004. From March 2001 to August 2003, Mr. Themelis
was a Managing Director, Chief Information Officer for North
America and Global Head of Fixed Income Technology at
Barclays Capital. From March 2000 to March 2001,
Mr. Themelis was the Chief Technology Officer and a member
of the board of directors of AuthentiDate Holdings Corp., a
start-up focused on
developing leading edge content and encryption technology. Prior
to his tenure at AuthentiDate, Mr. Themelis spent nine
years with Lehman Brothers, most recently as Senior Vice
President and Global Head of the
E-Commerce Technology
Group.
Cordelia Boise has been Head of Human Resources since
February 2002. Prior to joining us, Ms. Boise was a Human
Resources Consultant to BrokerTec USA LLC, which operates a
government securities electronic inter-dealer broker, from
December 2001 to February 2002. From December 2000 to December
2001, Ms. Boise was Director of Human Resources at BondBook
Holdings, LLC. From September 1995 to December 2000,
Ms. Boise was Director of Human Resources at Arrow
Electronics, Inc., an electronic components and computer
products distributor. Ms. Boise graduated cum laude
with a B.A. in Psychology from Lehigh University and holds a
Certificate in Human Resource Management from New York
University.
Charles R. Hood has been General Counsel since September
2001 and is responsible for all legal and regulatory matters
affecting our affiliates and us. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Hood was Senior Vice President and Senior Equities
Counsel for the Equities division at Lehman Brothers Inc. from
September 1998 to August 2001. At Lehman Brothers, he managed a
department responsible for providing legal, regulatory and
compliance support to a wide range of domestic and international
securities units and also advised the Equities
e-commerce group
regarding strategic investments. Prior to his tenure at Lehman
Brothers, Mr. Hood was General Counsel and Chief Legal
Officer for the Instinet Group of equity securities electronic
trading companies from December 1985 until August 1998.
Mr. Hood began his legal career at Cadwalader,
Wickersham & Taft in New York City, where he
specialized in general corporate and securities law.
Mr. Hood received an A.B. from the College of
William & Mary, an M.B.A. from the Northwestern
University Graduate School of Management and a J.D. from Notre
Dame Law School.
Michael Sacks has been the Head of Global Applications
Development since October 2004 with responsibility for producing
all of our software globally. Prior to joining us,
Mr. Sacks was employed by Morgan Stanley from 1994 to 2004,
most recently as an Executive Director, Global Head of Bond
Technology for the Fixed Income Division. Other assignments at
Morgan Stanley included Chief Operating Officer for Fixed Income
Technology and Global Head of Technology for the Foreign
Exchange Division. Prior to that, Mr. Sacks held positions
at Salomon Brothers, Inc. and IBM Research Division.
Mr. Sacks has an A.B. in Social Relations from Harvard
College and a M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University.
Richard J. Schiffman has been Head of Business
Development and Strategy since August 2005. He also has on-going
responsibility for Information Services. From March 2002 to
August 2005, he was the Head of Information Services with
responsibility for developing and delivering content and data to
our broker-dealer and institutional client base. Prior to that,
Mr. Schiffman was our Chief Technology Officer from our
formation in April 2000 until March 2002. Immediately prior to
joining us, Mr. Schiffman was Vice President and Manager of
Fixed Income Research Technology at JPMorgan, where he was
employed in a variety of
23
positions from March 1992 to April 2000. Mr. Schiffman
received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University and an
M.B.A. in Finance and Information Systems from the Stern School
of Business at New York University.
Employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers
Richard M. McVey employment
agreement
In March 2004, we entered into an employment agreement with
Richard M. McVey, which supersedes the prior employment letter
he entered into with us. The agreement provides that
Mr. McVey will be employed by us as President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and
his employment may be terminated by him or by us at any time.
Mr. McVeys annual base salary under the letter is
$300,000 per year. Mr. McVey is also eligible to
receive an annual bonus in accordance with the MarketAxess
Holdings Inc. 2004 Annual Performance Incentive Plan and is
entitled to participate in all benefit plans and programs
available to our other senior executives, at a level
commensurate with his position.
If Mr. McVeys employment is terminated outside the
change in control protection period (as defined in
the agreement and below), other than by Mr. McVey
voluntarily without good reason, or by us as a
result of a cause event (as each such term is
defined in the agreement), subject to Mr. McVeys
execution of a general release of claims, Mr. McVey will:
|
|
|
|
|
continue to be paid his annual rate of base salary for a period
of twelve months after termination; |
|
|
|
receive an amount equal to the average cash bonus Mr. McVey
received from us for the prior three completed calendar years,
payable in twelve approximately equal monthly
installments; and |
|
|
|
continue to receive health coverage for himself (and eligible
dependents), if he so elects, for up to twelve months after such
termination. |
If Mr. McVeys employment is terminated within three
months prior to, or on or within eighteen months after, a
change in control (as defined in our 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan) (the change in control protection
period) other than:
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|
|
by Mr. McVey voluntarily without good reason, |
|
|
|
as a result of Mr. McVeys death, or |
|
|
|
by us as a result of a cause event, |
in lieu of the foregoing payments and benefits, and subject to
Mr. McVeys execution of a general release of claims,
Mr. McVey will:
|
|
|
|
|
continue to be paid his annual rate of base salary for a period
of twenty-four months after termination; |
|
|
|
receive an amount equal to two times the average cash bonus
Mr. McVey received from us for the prior three completed
calendar years, payable in twenty-four approximately equal
monthly installments; and |
|
|
|
continue to receive health coverage for himself (and eligible
dependents) at our expense, if he so elects, for up to eighteen
months after such termination. |
Mr. McVey is under no obligation to seek other employment
and there will be no offset against any amounts payable to
Mr. McVey as a result of his termination of employment on
account of any remuneration he receives that is attributable to
any subsequent employment.
Mr. McVey will continue to be subject to the confidential
information, intellectual property and non-competition agreement
that he previously executed. The terms of this agreement
provide, in part, that Mr. McVey will not compete with us
through his participation in any business in competition with
any business conducted by us or any business we propose to
conduct until one year after the termination of his employment
or service relationship with us.
24
In the event any payments or benefits made by us to
Mr. McVey become subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, Mr. McVey
will be paid a reduced amount equal to one dollar less than the
amount that would be subject to the excise tax. The reduction
will occur only if the reduced amount, taking into account the
payment of all applicable federal, state and local income taxes,
is greater than the amount Mr. McVey would receive after
payment of the excise tax, and all other applicable federal,
state and local income taxes on such payments and benefits.
|
|
|
Thomas M. Thees employment arrangements |
The Company issued Thomas Thees an offer letter to become the
Companys Chief Operating Officer, which Mr. Thees
accepted on February 8, 2005. Pursuant to the terms of the
offer letter, Mr. Thees will receive a base salary of
$200,000 annually and was guaranteed a bonus of $600,000 for the
year ended December 31, 2005. In addition, Mr. Thees
received (i) a stock option award to
purchase 225,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock, which will vest over a three-year period beginning on the
grant date; (ii) a restricted stock award of
10,000 shares of the Companys Common Stock, which is
subject to performance-accelerated vesting provisions; and
(iii) a stock option award to
purchase 40,000 shares of the Companys Common
Stock, which will vest over a three-year period beginning on
January 1, 2006.
If Mr. Thees employment is terminated by the Company
other than for cause (as defined in the agreement)
prior to the payout date of his 2006 bonus and within six months
after a change in control (as defined in our 2004
Stock Incentive Plan), Mr. Thees will receive: (i) any
portion of his 2005 and 2006 annual base compensation not yet
paid; (ii) the guaranteed bonus described above to the
extent not paid; (iii) a lump sum equal to $400,000; and
(iv) continued payment of COBRA premiums for as long as
Mr. Thees receives the payments described in
subsection (i) above, but only if Mr. Thees is
eligible for, and elects, COBRA coverage.
Mr. Thees is also subject to the Companys
confidential information, intellectual property and
non-competition agreement.
|
|
|
Iain N. Baillie employment agreement |
We have entered into an employment agreement with Iain Baillie,
Head of MarketAxess Europe. The agreement provides that
Mr. Baillie will receive a base salary of £140,000 and
that the payment of any bonus is in our absolute discretion.
Mr. Baillie was guaranteed a minimum bonus of £250,000
for 2003, but there are no other guaranteed bonuses in the
agreement. Mr. Baillie was granted an option to
purchase 200,000 shares of our Common Stock at an
exercise price of $2.70 per share in accordance with the
terms of our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. The employment agreement
also provided for a second option grant in the event certain
performance goals were obtained. Mr. Baillie was granted an
option to purchase 75,000 shares of our Common Stock
at an exercise price of $13.95 per share in connection
therewith. Unless terminated for cause, as defined
in the employment agreement, Mr. Baillie is entitled to one
month prior written notice of his termination, or one month of
salary in lieu of such notice. The employment agreement also
contains non-competition and confidentiality provisions. The
terms of this agreement provide that Mr. Baillie will not
compete with us through his participation in any business in
competition with any business conducted by us until six months
after the termination of his employment or service relationship
with us.
Loans to executive officers of the Company
Prior to enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act) in July 2002, we made two loans
to Richard M. McVey, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
our Board of Directors. We entered into restricted stock
purchase agreements with Mr. McVey on June 11, 2001
and July 1, 2001, respectively, in connection with his
compensation package. Pursuant to these agreements, we sold an
aggregate of 289,581 shares of our Common Stock to
Mr. McVey at a purchase price of $3.60 per share. We
loaned an aggregate of approximately $1,042,488 to
Mr. McVey to finance his purchase of these shares.
Mr. McVey executed secured promissory notes with us to
document these loans. These promissory notes bear interest at an
average rate of 5.69% per annum. The principal and accrued
interest on each of these promissory
25
notes is due and payable as follows: (1) 20% of the
principal and accrued interest is due on the sixth anniversary
of the issuance date; (2) an equal amount is due on each of
the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth anniversaries of the
issuance date; and (3) the balance is due on the eleventh
anniversary of the issuance date. Mr. McVey may prepay all
or any part of any note at any time without paying a premium or
penalty. Promissory notes representing 80% of the aggregate
purchase price are non-recourse and promissory notes
representing 20% of the aggregate purchase price are full
recourse. As security for his obligations under the promissory
notes, Mr. McVey has pledged the 289,581 shares of our
Common Stock acquired by him under the restricted stock purchase
agreements described above.
The loans described in the preceding paragraph were entered into
prior to the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Because of the
prohibitions against certain loans under Section 402 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we will not modify any of these outstanding
loans, nor will we enter into new loans with any of our
directors or executive officers other than as permitted by
applicable law at the time of the transaction.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation
The following table sets forth all compensation received during
each of the last three fiscal years by our Chief Executive
Officer and each of our four other most highly compensated
executive officers whose total compensation exceeded $100,000 in
each such fiscal year. These executives are referred to as our
Named Executive Officers elsewhere in this report.
Although bonus compensation was earned in the fiscal years
indicated below, all bonus compensation was actually paid to
each named executive in the fiscal year following the year in
which it was earned.
Summary Compensation Table
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|
Long Term Compensation | |
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| |
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|
Annual Compensation (1) | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Securities | |
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| |
|
Stock | |
|
Underlying | |
Name |
|
Year | |
|
Salary($) | |
|
Bonus ($)(2) | |
|
Awards ($) | |
|
Options | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard M. McVey
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
700,000 |
|
|
|
5,224,500 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
468,000 |
(4) |
|
|
25,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,000,000 |
|
Thomas M. Thees(6)
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2005 |
|
|
|
178,846 |
|
|
|
600,000 |
|
|
|
449,400 |
(7) |
|
|
315,000 |
(8) |
Iain N. Baillie(10)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
254,814 |
|
|
|
455,025 |
|
|
|
223,600 |
(11) |
|
|
25,000 |
(9) |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
264,572 |
|
|
|
566,940 |
|
|
|
156,000 |
(4) |
|
|
35,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
177,000 |
|
|
|
490,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
James N.B. Rucker
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
167,700 |
(11) |
|
|
20,000 |
(9) |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
117,000 |
(4) |
|
|
25,000 |
(5) |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Nicholas Themelis(12)
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
335,400 |
(11) |
|
|
45,000 |
(9) |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
172,500 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
156,000 |
(4) |
|
|
140,000 |
(12) |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The column for Other Annual Compensation has been
omitted because there is no compensation required to be reported
in that column. The aggregate amount of perquisites and other
personal benefits, securities or property received by the Named
Executive Officers was less than either $50,000 or 10.0% of the
total annual salary and bonus reported for such Named Executive
Officer, whichever is less. |
|
|
(2) |
Includes cash bonuses paid to Named Executive Officers paid in
2006 with respect to the 2005 fiscal year, paid in 2005 with
respect to the 2004 fiscal year and paid in 2004 with respect to
the 2003 fiscal year. |
26
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|
|
|
(3) |
The value of the restricted stock award to Mr. McVey shown
in the table that was granted on January 31, 2006 for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 was determined by
multiplying the number of shares of restricted stock awarded by
$12.90, the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on
NASDAQ on January 31, 2006. Each share of restricted stock
represents a right to receive one share of the Companys
Common Stock upon vesting. The default vesting schedule for the
restricted stock grants is equal annual vesting over five years.
Vesting may be accelerated if certain pre-approved performance
targets are met or exceeded. Specifically, 34% of the shares can
vest after the first year and 33% of the shares can vest after
each of the second and third years if the performance targets
are met or exceeded. If the targets are not met, then the
default vesting schedule shall apply. In addition, all unvested
restricted stock awards become fully vested upon a change in
control. The restricted stock award is presently expected to
constitute the only shares of restricted stock to be granted to
Mr. McVey over the next three calendar years. This
three-year approach is consistent with the Companys
practice of making three-year grants to Mr. McVey as it did
in 2000 and 2003. Mr. McVey remains eligible to receive
future grants of stock options and other forms of equity awards. |
|
|
(4) |
The values of the restricted stock awards shown in the table
(which were granted on January 6, 2005 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004) were determined for each Named
Executive Officer, respectively, by multiplying the number of
shares of restricted stock awarded to each Named Executive
Officer by $15.60 (the closing price of the Companys
Common Stock on NASDAQ on January 5, 2005). Each share of
restricted stock represents a right to receive one share of the
Companys Common Stock upon vesting. The default vesting
schedule for the restricted stock grants is equal annual vesting
over five years. Vesting may be accelerated if certain
pre-approved performance targets are met or exceeded.
Specifically, 50% of the shares can vest after the first year
and 50% of the shares can vest after the second year if the
performance targets are met or exceeded. If only one of the
two-year targets is achieved, then there is ratable vesting over
the remaining period for the balance of the shares. If the
targets are not met in either year, then the default vesting
schedule shall apply. In addition, all unvested restricted stock
awards become fully vested upon a change in control. |
|
|
(5) |
Represents the number of stock options granted on
January 6, 2005 for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Such options have an exercise price of $15.60 per share
(the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on NASDAQ
on January 5, 2005), vest over a three-year period and have
a ten-year term. |
|
|
(6) |
Mr. Thees employment with us commenced in February
2005. His annualized base salary for 2005 was $200,000. |
|
|
(7) |
The value of the restricted stock awards shown in the table was
determined by multiplying the number of shares of restricted
stock awarded to Mr. Thees by the price at which such
shares were granted. Each share of restricted stock represents a
right to receive one share of the Companys Common Stock
upon vesting. Mr. Thees received two grants of restricted
stock for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. On
February 8, 2005, in connection with the commencement of
his employment, Mr. Thees was granted an award of
10,000 shares of restricted stock at a price of
$11.40 per share (the closing price of the Companys
Common Stock on NASDAQ on February 8, 2005). This grant of
restricted stock vests in equal annual installments over a
three-year period. On January 9, 2006, Mr. Thees was
granted 30,000 shares of restricted stock at a price of
$11.18 per share (the closing price of the Companys
Common Stock on NASDAQ on January 6, 2006). The default
vesting schedule for this restricted stock grant is equal annual
vesting over five years. Vesting may be accelerated if certain
pre-approved performance targets are met or exceeded.
Specifically, 34% of the shares can vest after the first year
and 33% of the shares can vest after each of the second and
third years if the performance targets are met or exceeded. If
only one of the two-year targets is achieved, then there is
ratable vesting over the remaining period for the balance of the
shares. If the targets are not met in either year, then the
default vesting schedule shall apply. In addition, all unvested
restricted stock awards become fully vested upon a change in
control. |
|
|
(8) |
Mr. Thees received three grants of stock options for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. On February 8,
2005, in connection with the commencement of his employment,
Mr. Thees was granted |
27
|
|
|
|
|
225,000 stock options at an exercise price of $11.40 per
share. One-third of the stock options vest on the first
anniversary of the grant and the remaining two thirds will vest
and become exercisable in twenty-four equal monthly installments
commencing thirteen months from the grant date. Also on
February 8, 2005, Mr. Thees was granted 40,000 stock
options at an exercise price of $11.40 per share. One-third
of the stock options vest on January 1, 2007 and the
remaining two-thirds will vest and become exercisable in
twenty-four equal monthly installments commencing
February 1, 2007. Additionally, on January 9, 2006,
Mr. Thees was granted 50,000 stock options at an exercise
price of $11.18 (the closing price of the Companys Common
Stock on NASDAQ on January 6, 2006). These stock options
vest over a three-year period. All stock options have a ten-year
term. |
|
|
(9) |
Represents the number of stock options granted on
January 9, 2006 for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Such options have an exercise price of $11.18 per share
(the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on NASDAQ
on January 6, 2006), vest over a three-year period and have
a ten-year term. |
|
|
(10) |
Mr. Baillie is paid in Pounds Sterling. The amounts stated
here have been translated at an exchange rate of $1.8201,
$1.8898 and $1.6349 per pound, which represent the average
exchange rates during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Mr. Baillies employment with us commenced in March
2003. His annualized base salary for 2005, 2004 and 2003 was
140,000 Pounds Sterling. |
|
(11) |
The values of the restricted stock awards shown in the table
(which were granted on January 9, 2006 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2005) were determined for each Named
Executive Officer, respectively, by multiplying the number of
shares of restricted stock awarded to each Named Executive
Officer by $11.18 (the closing price of the Companys
Common Stock on NASDAQ on January 6, 2006). Each share of
restricted stock represents a right to receive one share of the
Companys Common Stock upon vesting. The default vesting
schedule for the restricted stock grants is equal annual vesting
over five years. Vesting may be accelerated if certain
pre-approved performance targets are met or exceeded.
Specifically, 34% of the shares can vest after the first year
and 33% of the shares can vest after each of the second and
third years if the performance targets are met or exceeded. If
the targets are not met, then the default vesting schedule shall
apply. In addition, all unvested restricted stock awards become
fully vested upon a change in control. |
|
(12) |
Mr. Themelis employment with us commenced in February
2004. Represents an option for 100,000 shares granted on
February 25, 2004 at an exercise price of $13.95 and an
option for 40,000 shares granted on January 6, 2005 at
an exercise price of $15.60. Both options vest over a three-year
period from the date of grant and have a ten-year term. |
28
Stock option grants in last fiscal year
The following table sets forth information regarding exercisable
and unexercisable stock options granted to each of the Named
Executive Officers in the last fiscal year. No stock
appreciation rights were granted to the Named Executive Officers
during the year ended December 31, 2005. Potential
realizable values are computed by (1) multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to a given option by
the assumed market value on the date of grant, (2) assuming
that the aggregate stock value derived from that calculation
compounds annually for the entire term of the option, and
(3) subtracting from that result the aggregate option
exercise price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants(1) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options | |
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value | |
|
|
Number of | |
|
Granted | |
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual Rates | |
|
|
Securities | |
|
to | |
|
|
|
of Stock Appreciation for | |
|
|
Underlying the | |
|
Employees | |
|
Exercise | |
|
|
|
Option Term | |
|
|
Options | |
|
in Fiscal | |
|
Price per | |
|
Expiration | |
|
| |
Name |
|
Granted (#)(2) | |
|
Year (%) | |
|
Share($) | |
|
Date | |
|
5%($) | |
|
10%($) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard M. McVey
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
$ |
15.60 |
|
|
|
1/06/15 |
|
|
|
245,269 |
|
|
|
621,560 |
|
Thomas M. Thees
|
|
|
265,000 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
% |
|
$ |
11.40 |
|
|
|
2/08/15 |
|
|
|
1,899,891 |
|
|
|
4,814,696 |
|
Iain N. Baillie
|
|
|
35,000 |
|
|
|
2.9 |
% |
|
$ |
15.60 |
|
|
|
1/06/15 |
|
|
|
343,376 |
|
|
|
870,183 |
|
James N. B. Rucker
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
$ |
15.60 |
|
|
|
1/06/15 |
|
|
|
245,269 |
|
|
|
621,560 |
|
Nicholas Themelis
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
$ |
15.60 |
|
|
|
1/06/15 |
|
|
|
392,430 |
|
|
|
994,495 |
|
|
|
(1) |
In January 2006, we awarded options to purchase an additional
688,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$11.18 per share, of which 140,000 were awarded to the
Named Executive Officers listed in the table as follows: 50,000
to Mr. Thees, 25,000 to Mr. Baillie, 20,000 to
Mr. Rucker and 45,000 to Mr. Themelis. |
|
(2) |
These options vest and become exercisable as follows:
(i) one-third on the first anniversary of the date of grant
and (ii) the balance in twenty-four equal monthly
installments thereafter. |
Aggregated option exercises in last fiscal year and fiscal
year-end option values
One of our Named Executive Officers exercised options to
purchase our Common Stock during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005. The following table sets forth the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to options and the
value of such options held by each of our Named Executive
Officers as of December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities | |
|
Value of Unexercised | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Unexercised | |
|
In-The-Money Options | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
|
|
Options at Fiscal Year-End | |
|
at Fiscal Year-End($)(2) | |
|
|
Acquired on | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Name |
|
Exercise | |
|
Value Realized(1) | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Richard M. McVey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,127,774 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
9,845,467 |
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas M. Thees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
265,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,950 |
|
Iain N. Baillie
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
$ |
279,101 |
|
|
|
201,267 |
|
|
|
78,733 |
|
|
|
1,484,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
James N. B. Rucker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,969 |
|
|
|
34,032 |
|
|
|
856,658 |
|
|
|
|
|
Nicholas Themelis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,114 |
|
|
|
78,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Value realized is defined as the fair market price of our Common
Stock on the date of exercise less the exercise price,
multiplied by the number of shares underlying the exercised
options. |
|
(2) |
Value is defined as the fair market price of our Common Stock at
December 30, 2005 less the exercise price, multiplied by the
number of shares underlying the specific in-the-money options.
On December 30, 2005, the closing selling price of a share
of our Common Stock was $11.43. |
29
Compensation plans
For information with respect to the securities authorized for
issuance under equity compensation plans, please see the section
captioned Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans in Item 12 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005, which is incorporated herein
by reference and has been delivered to you with this Proxy
Statement.
Compensation Committee interlocks and insider
participation
The members of our Compensation Committee currently are
Messrs. Lyski and Rohatyn. Neither of these individuals was
(i) during the past fiscal year, an officer or employee of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) formerly an
officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. None of our
executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year
has served, as a member of the board of directors or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more
executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or
Compensation Committee.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Compensation Committee) is composed of two
independent non-employee directors. The responsibilities of the
Compensation Committee are set forth in its written charter (the
Charter), which has been adopted by our Board of
Directors. A copy of the Charter is available in the
Investors Corporate Governance section of the
Companys website.
The duties of the Compensation Committee are, in part, to review
and determine the salaries and bonuses of executive officers of
the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer, and to
establish the general compensation policies for such
individuals. The Compensation Committee also has the sole and
exclusive authority to make discretionary option grants (and
other equity awards) to the Companys executive officers
under the Companys Stock Incentive Plans.
The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation
programs for the Companys executive officers should
reflect the Companys performance and the value created for
the Companys stockholders. In addition, the compensation
programs should support the short-term and long-term strategic
goals and values of the Company and should reward individual
contribution to the Companys success. The Company is
engaged in a very competitive industry, and the Companys
success depends upon its ability to attract and retain qualified
executives through the competitive compensation packages it
offers to such individuals.
General Compensation Policy. The Compensation
Committees policy is to provide the Companys
executive officers with compensation opportunities that are
based upon their personal performance, the financial performance
of the Company and their contribution to that performance and
that are competitive enough to attract and retain highly skilled
individuals. Generally, each executive officers
compensation package is comprised of three elements:
(i) base salary that is competitive with the market and
reflects individual performance, (ii) annual variable
performance awards payable in cash and tied to the
Companys achievement of annual financial performance goals
and (iii) stock-based incentive awards designed to
strengthen the mutuality of interests between the executive
officers and the Companys stockholders. As an
officers level of responsibility increases, a greater
proportion of his or her total compensation will be dependent
upon the Companys financial performance and stock price
appreciation rather than base salary.
Factors. The principal factors that were taken into
account in establishing each executive officers
compensation package are described below. However, the
Compensation Committee may in its discretion apply entirely
different factors, such as different measures of financial
performance, for future fiscal years.
Base Salary. In setting base salaries, the Compensation
Committee reviewed published compensation survey data for our
industry. The base salary for each officer reflects the salary
levels for comparable positions in comparable companies, as well
as the individuals personal performance and internal
alignment considerations. The relative weight given to each
factor varies with each individual in the sole discretion of the
Compensation Committee. Each executive officers base
salary is reviewed each year on the basis of (i) the
30
Compensation Committees evaluation of the officers
personal performance for the year and (ii) the competitive
marketplace for persons in comparable positions. The
Companys performance and profitability may also be factors
in determining the base salaries of executive officers.
Annual Incentives. Bonuses for executive officers are
based on the Companys actual performance compared to plan
and are generally paid under the Companys Annual
Performance Incentive Plan.
Under the Annual Performance Incentive Plan, participants are
eligible to receive individual bonus awards that may be
expressed, at the Compensation Committees discretion, as a
fixed dollar amount, a percentage of base pay, or an amount
determined pursuant to a formula. Individual bonus awards are
contingent upon the attainment of certain pre-established
performance targets established by the Compensation Committee.
The individual awards will be paid after the end of the
performance period in which they are earned after the
Compensation Committee certifies that the applicable performance
goals have been attained. Annual incentive payments for 2005 for
the Named Executive Officers appear in the Summary Compensation
Table in the column captioned Bonus.
Stock-Based Incentives. Currently, restricted stock and
stock option grants are made by the Compensation Committee to
the Companys executive officers, generally upon hire, upon
a material change in responsibilities or at other times at the
discretion of the Compensation Committee. Each option grant is
designed to align the interests of the executive officer with
those of the stockholders and provide each individual with a
significant incentive to manage the Company from the perspective
of an owner with an equity stake in its business. Each grant
allows the officer to acquire shares of the Companys
Common Stock at a fixed price per share (generally the market
price on the grant date) over a specified period of time (up to
ten years). Generally, each option becomes exercisable in a
series of installments over a three-year period, contingent upon
the officers continued employment with the Company.
Accordingly, the option will provide a return to the executive
officer only if he or she remains employed by the Company during
the vesting period, and then only if the market price of the
shares appreciates over the option term.
The size of the option grant to each executive officer is set by
the Compensation Committee at a level that is intended to create
a meaningful opportunity for stock ownership based upon the
individuals current position with the Company, the
individuals personal performance in recent periods and his
or her potential for future responsibility and promotion over
the option term. The Compensation Committee also takes into
account the number of unvested options held by the executive
officer in order to maintain an appropriate level of equity
incentive for that individual. The relevant weight given to each
of these factors varies from individual to individual. Options
granted during 2005 are shown above under the heading Stock
option grants in last fiscal year.
Currently, grants of restricted stock generally vest over a
five-year period, subject to accelerated vesting upon the
Companys attainment of pre-established performance goals.
The size of each restricted stock grant is set by the
Compensation Committee in accordance with the criteria described
above for stock options.
CEO Compensation. In setting the total compensation
payable to the Companys Chief Executive Officer, the
Compensation Committee sought to make that compensation
competitive with the compensation paid to the chief executive
officers of similar companies, while at the same time assuring
that a significant percentage of compensation was tied to
Company performance and stock price appreciation.
Mr. McVeys base salary of $300,000 was set in
accordance with the new employment agreement entered into in
March 2004. The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. McVey an
annual bonus of $700,000 with respect to 2005 performance, which
was paid under the 2004 Annual Performance Incentive Plan.
A portion of Mr. McVeys compensation is also paid in
the form of restricted stock and stock options in order to
further align his compensation to Company performance and stock
price appreciation. Specifically, Mr. McVey was granted
405,000 shares of restricted stock in January 2006. This
grant is presently expected to constitute the only shares of
restricted stock to be granted to Mr. McVey over the next
three calendar years. This three-year approach is consistent
with the Companys practice of making three-year grants to
Mr. McVey as it did in 2000 and 2003. Mr. McVey
remains eligible to receive future grants of stock options and
other forms of equity awards.
31
Compliance with Internal Revenue Code
Section 162(m). In general, Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, disallows a tax
deduction to publicly-held companies for compensation paid to
certain of their executive officers, to the extent that
compensation exceeds $1 million per covered officer in any
fiscal year. In general, the deduction limit under
Section 162(m) does not currently apply to the Company
because, in general, Section 162(m) allows a three-year
transition period after a company becomes publicly traded in
connection with an initial public offering. However, the
deduction limit will apply to any awards made under the Amended
and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. Our policy with respect
to the deductibility limit of Section 162(m) generally is
to preserve the federal income tax deductibility of compensation
paid when it is appropriate under the circumstances and is in
the best interest of us and our stockholders. However, we
reserve the right to authorize the payment of non-deductible
compensation if we deem that it is appropriate.
It is the opinion of the Compensation Committee that the
executive compensation policies and plans provide the necessary
total remuneration program to properly align the Companys
performance and the interests of the Companys stockholders
through the use of competitive and equitable executive
compensation in a balanced and reasonable manner, for both the
short and long term.
|
|
|
Submitted by the Compensation Committee |
|
of the Companys Board of Directors |
|
|
Wayne D. Lyski |
|
Nicolas S. Rohatyn |
April 17, 2006
32
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph shows a comparison from November 5,
2004 (the date our Common Stock commenced trading on The NASDAQ
National Market) through December 31, 2005 of (i) the
cumulative total return for our Common Stock, (ii) the
NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S.) Index and (iii) a Peer Group
consisting of the following companies: Archipelago Holdings
Inc., Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., eSpeed, Inc.,
GFI Group Inc., International Securities Exchange, Inc.,
Investment Technology Group, Inc., Knight Trading Group, Inc.,
LaBranche & Co Inc. and The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
We have added International Securities Exchange, Inc. to the
peer group used last year following its initial public offering
in March 2005, and have removed Instinet Group Incorporated from
the peer group used last year following its acquisition by The
NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. in December 2005.
The figures in this graph assume an initial investment of $100
at the closing price on November 5, 2004 of our Common
Stock and the companies in our Peer Group and an initial
investment of $100 on October 31, 2004 in the NASDAQ Stock
Market (U.S.) Index.
The returns illustrated below are based on historical results
during the period indicated and should not be considered
indicative of future stockholder returns. Data for the NASDAQ
Stock Market (U.S.) Index and for the Peer Group assume
reinvestment of dividends. We have never paid dividends on our
Common Stock and have no present plans to do so. All performance
data provided by Research Data Group, Inc.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of
the Companys previous or future filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, that might incorporate by reference
this Proxy Statement or future filings made by MarketAxess under
those statutes, the Audit Committee Report, reference to the
independence of the Audit Committee members, the Compensation
Committee Report and the Stock Performance Graph are not deemed
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are not
deemed soliciting material and shall not be deemed incorporated
by reference into any of those prior filings or into any future
filings made by the Company under those statutes, except to the
extent that we specifically incorporate such information by
reference into a previous or future filing, or specifically
request that such information be treated as soliciting material,
in each case under those statutes.
33
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Our related parties include our directors, director nominees,
executive officers and holders of more than five percent of the
outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Set forth in this
section is information concerning transactions with our related
parties.
Principal stockholder broker-dealer clients
Six of our broker-dealer clients or their affiliates each own
more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our Common
Stock. See Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management. These broker-dealer clients are: Banc of
America Securities, Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank,
JPMorgan and Lehman Brothers (collectively, the Principal
Stockholder Broker-Dealer Clients).
We have separate agreements with each of our broker-dealer
clients including each of our Principal Stockholder
Broker-Dealer Clients. These agreements govern each such
broker-dealers access to, and activity on, our electronic
trading platform. The term of the agreements is generally three
years, with automatic annual renewal thereafter unless notice to
terminate is given by a party at least thirty days prior to
automatic renewal. Under each agreement, the broker-dealer is
granted a worldwide, non-exclusive and non-transferable license
to use our electronic trading platform. The broker-dealer agrees
to supply us, on a non-exclusive basis, with one or more of the
following: indicative prices and quantities of a minimum number
of fixed-income instruments for our inventory pages; new issue
descriptions and content; and credit research reports. These
agreements also govern use of and access to our electronic
trading platform. We may only provide the pricing, research and
other content provided by a broker-dealer to those of our
institutional investor clients approved by the broker-dealer to
receive such content. Additionally, institutional investors must
be approved by a broker-dealer before being able to engage in
transactions on our platform. These agreements also provide for
the fees and expenses to be paid by the broker-dealers for their
use of our electronic trading platform.
We have historically earned a substantial portion of our
revenues from our Principal Stockholder Broker-Dealer Clients.
In particular, for the year ended December 31, 2005,
$39.0 million (49.7% of our total revenues), were generated
by our Principal Stockholder Broker-Dealer Clients.
|
|
|
Indemnification agreements |
We have entered into an indemnification agreement with each of
our outside directors. The indemnification agreements and our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws require us to indemnify
our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by
Delaware law.
|
|
|
Registration rights agreement |
Our Principal Stockholder Broker-Dealer Clients, along with
certain other holders of our Common Stock, are party to our
sixth amended and restated registration rights agreement.
Stockholders who are a party to this agreement are provided
certain rights to demand registration of shares of Common Stock
and to participate in a registration of our Common Stock that we
may decide to do, from time to time. Generally, we have agreed
to pay all expenses of any registration pursuant to the
registration rights agreement, except for underwriters
discounts and commissions.
|
|
|
Appointment of one of our directors by one of our
Principal Stockholder Broker-Dealer Clients |
Mr. Hersch was originally appointed to our Board pursuant
to the terms of an agreement among certain of our stockholders.
This agreement terminated upon the initial public offering of
our Common Stock.
34
OTHER MATTERS
Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting
compliance
The members of our Board of Directors, our executive officers
and persons who hold more than 10% of our outstanding Common
Stock are subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, which requires them to file reports with respect to
their ownership of our Common Stock and their transactions in
such Common Stock. Based solely upon a review of (i) the
copies of Section 16(a) reports that MarketAxess has
received from such persons or entities for transactions in our
Common Stock and their Common Stock holdings for the 2005 fiscal
year, the Company believes that all reporting requirements under
Section 16(a) for such fiscal year were met in a timely
manner by its directors, executive officers and beneficial
owners of more than 10% of its Common Stock, except that each of
Messrs. McVey, Baillie, Rucker, Themelis and Ziegelbaum
filed one late report with respect to the grants of shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase shares of Common Stock
on January 6, 2005.
Other matters
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Company knows of no
other matters that will be presented for consideration at the
Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the
Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the
enclosed Proxy Card to vote the shares they represent as such
persons deem advisable. Discretionary authority with respect to
such other matters is granted by the execution of the enclosed
proxy card.
Stockholder proposals for 2007 Annual Meeting
In order to be considered for inclusion in the Companys
Proxy Statement and proxy card relating to the 2007 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, any proposal by a stockholder submitted
pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, must be received by
the Company at its principal executive offices in New York, New
York, on or before December 29, 2006. In addition, under
the Companys bylaws, any proposal for consideration at the
2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders submitted by a stockholder
other than pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 will be
considered timely if it is received by the Secretary of the
Company at its principal executive offices between the close of
business on December 3, 2006, and the close of business on
January 2, 2007, and is otherwise in compliance with the
requirements set forth in the Companys bylaws.
35
Appendix A
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(Amended and Restated Effective April 28, 2006)
A-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
ARTICLE 1 PURPOSE
|
|
A-3 |
|
ARTICLE 2 DEFINITIONS |
|
A-3 |
|
ARTICLE 3 ADMINISTRATION |
|
A-8 |
|
ARTICLE 4 SHARE LIMITATION |
|
A-10 |
|
ARTICLE 5 ELIGIBILITY |
|
A-12 |
|
ARTICLE 6 STOCK OPTIONS |
|
A-12 |
|
ARTICLE 7 STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
|
A-15 |
|
ARTICLE 8 RESTRICTED STOCK |
|
A-17 |
|
ARTICLE 9 PERFORMANCE SHARES |
|
A-19 |
|
ARTICLE 10 PERFORMANCE UNITS |
|
A-20 |
|
ARTICLE 11 OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS |
|
A-22 |
|
ARTICLE 12 CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS |
|
A-23 |
|
ARTICLE 13 TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN |
|
A-24 |
|
ARTICLE 14 UNFUNDED PLAN |
|
A-24 |
|
ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
A-24 |
|
ARTICLE 16 EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN |
|
A-27 |
|
ARTICLE 17 TERM OF PLAN |
|
A-27 |
|
ARTICLE 18 NAME OF PLAN |
|
A-27 |
A-2
ARTICLE 1
Purpose
The purpose of this MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, is to enhance the
profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its
stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible
Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors stock-based
incentives in the Company, thereby creating a means to raise the
level of equity ownership by such individuals in order to
attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the
mutuality of interests between such individuals and the
Companys stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the
date set forth in Article 16 and is an amendment and
restatement of the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan (the Initial Plan) which was
initially effective April 1, 2004.
ARTICLE 2
Definitions
For purposes of this Plan, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
2.1 Acquisition
Event has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.
2.2 Affiliate
means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary;
(b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business
(including, without limitation, a partnership or limited
liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled
50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an
equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company
or one of its Affiliates; (d) any trade or business
(including, without limitation, a partnership or limited
liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or
more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent
ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; and
(e) any other entity in which the Company or any of its
Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is
designated as an Affiliate by resolution of the
Committee; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Award constitutes
service recipient stock for purposes of
Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the
Award to Section 409A of the Code.
2.3 Award means
any award under this Plan of any Stock Option, Stock
Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares,
Performance Units or Other Stock-Based Award. All Awards shall
be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, a
written agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.
2.4 Board means
the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 Cause means
with respect to a Participants Termination of Employment
or Termination of Consultancy, the following: (a) in the
case where there is no employment agreement, consulting
agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in
effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant
at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an
agreement but it does not define cause (or words of
like import)), termination due to a Participants
insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral
turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform his or her
duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or
incapacity or materially unsatisfactory performance of his or
her duties for the Company or an Affiliate, as determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion; or (b) in the case where
there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change
in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the
Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the
grant of the Award that defines cause (or words of
like import), cause as defined under such agreement;
provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which
the definition of cause only applies on occurrence
of a change in control, such definition of cause
shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place
and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With
respect to a Participants Termination of Directorship,
cause means an act or failure to act that
constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable
Delaware law.
2.6 Change in
Control has the meaning set forth in Article 12.
2.7 Change in Control
Price has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.
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2.8 Code means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to
any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any
successor provision and any Treasury Regulation promulgated
thereunder.
2.9 Committee
means: (a) with respect to the application of this Plan to
Eligible Employees and Consultants, a committee or subcommittee
of the Board appointed from time to time by the Board, which
committee or subcommittee shall consist of two or more
non-employee directors, each of whom is intended to be
(i) to the extent required by
Rule 16b-3
promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, a
non-employee director as defined in
Rule 16b-3;
(ii) to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the
Code, an outside director as defined under
Section 162(m) of the Code; and (iii) an
independent director as defined under NASD
Rule 4200(a)(15) or such other applicable stock exchange
rule; and (b) with respect to the application of this Plan
to Non-Employee Directors, the Board. To the extent that no
Committee exists which has the authority to administer this
Plan, the functions of the Committee shall be exercised by the
Board. If for any reason the appointed Committee does not meet
the requirements of
Rule 16b-3 or
Section 162(m) of the Code, such noncompliance shall not
affect the validity of Awards, grants, interpretations or other
actions of the Committee.
2.10 Common
Stock means the Common Stock, $.003 par value per
share, of the Company.
2.11 Company
means MarketAxess Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its
successors by operation of law.
2.12 Consultant
means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant to the
Company or its Affiliates.
2.13 Detrimental
Activity means: (a) the disclosure to anyone
outside the Company or its Affiliates, or the use in any manner
other than in the furtherance of the Companys or its
Affiliates business, without written authorization from
the Company, of any confidential information or proprietary
information, relating to the business of the Company or its
Affiliates that is acquired by a Participant prior to the
Participants Termination; (b) activity while employed
or performing services that results, or if known could result,
in the Participants Termination that is classified by the
Company as a termination for Cause; (c) any attempt,
directly or indirectly, to solicit, induce or hire (or the
identification for solicitation, inducement or hiring of) any
non-clerical employee of the Company or its Affiliates to be
employed by, or to perform services for, the Participant or any
Person with which the Participant is associated (including, but
not limited to, due to the Participants employment by,
consultancy for, equity interest in, or creditor relationship
with such Person) or any Person from which the Participant
receives direct or indirect compensation or fees as a result of
such solicitation, inducement or hire (or the identification for
solicitation, inducement or hire) without, in all cases, written
authorization from the Company; (d) any attempt, directly
or indirectly, to solicit in a competitive manner any current or
prospective customer of the Company or its Affiliates without,
in all cases, written authorization from the Company;
(e) the Participants Disparagement, or inducement of
others to do so, of the Company or its Affiliates or their past
and present officers, directors, employees or products;
(f) without written authorization from the Company, the
rendering of services for any organization, or engaging,
directly or indirectly, in any business, which is competitive
with the Company or its Affiliates, or the rendering of services
to such organization or business if such organization or
business is otherwise prejudicial to or in conflict with the
interests of the Company or its Affiliates provided, however,
that competitive activities shall only be those competitive with
any business unit or Affiliate of the Company with regard to
which the Participant performed services at any time within the
two years prior to the Participants Termination; or
(g) breach of any agreement between the Participant and the
Company or an Affiliate (including, without limitation, any
employment agreement or noncompetition or nonsolicitation
agreement). For purposes of subsections (a), (c), (d) and
(f) above, the General Counsel or the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company shall have authority to provide the
Participant with written authorization to engage in the
activities contemplated thereby and no other person shall each
have authority to provide the Participant with such
authorization.
2.14 Disability
means with respect to a Participants Termination, a
permanent and total disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be
deemed to occur at the time of the
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determination by the Committee of the Disability.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to
Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a
Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or
(ii) of the Code.
2.15 Disparagement
means making comments or statements to the press, the
Companys or its Affiliates employees, consultants or
any individual or entity with whom the Company or its Affiliates
has a business relationship which could reasonably be expected
to adversely affect in any manner: (a) the conduct of the
business of the Company or its Affiliates (including, without
limitation, any products or business plans or prospects); or
(b) the business reputation of the Company or its
Affiliates, or any of their products, or their past or present
officers, directors or employees.
2.16 Effective
Date means the effective date of this Plan as defined
in Article 16.
2.17 Eligible
Employees means each employee of the Company or an
Affiliate.
2.18 Exchange
Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Any references to any section of the Exchange Act shall
also be a reference to any successor provision.
2.19 Fair Market
Value means, for purposes of this Plan, unless
otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or
any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as
provided below, the last sales price reported for the Common
Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the
principal national securities exchange in the United States on
which it is then traded or The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.; or
(b) if not traded on any such national securities exchange
or The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., as quoted on an automated
quotation system sponsored by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or if the Common Stock shall not have
been reported or quoted on such date, on the first day prior
thereto on which the Common Stock was reported or quoted. For
purposes of the grant of any Award, the applicable date shall be
the trading day on which the Award is granted, or if such grant
date is not a trading day, the trading day immediately prior to
the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the
exercise of any Award the applicable date shall be the date a
notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a day
on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is
open.
2.20 Family
Member means family member as defined in
Section A.1.(5) of the general instructions of
Form S-8.
2.21 Good Reason
means, with respect to a Participants Termination of
Employment: (a) in the case where there is no employment
agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in
effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant
at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an
agreement but it does not define good reason (or
words or a concept of like import)), a voluntary termination due
to good reason, as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
decides to treat as a Good Reason termination; or (b) in
the case where there is an employment agreement, change in
control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the
Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the
grant of the Award that defines good reason (or
words or a concept of like import), a termination due to good
reason (or words or a concept of like import), as defined in
such agreement at the time of the grant of the Award, and, for
purposes of the Plan, as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion; provided that any definition that is effective under
an employment agreement, change in control agreement or similar
agreement after a change in control shall only be effective for
purposes of this Plan after a change in control.
2.22 Incentive Stock
Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible
Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if
any) under this Plan intended to be and designated as an
Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Code.
2.23 Non-Employee
Director means a director of the Company who is not an
active employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.24 Non-Qualified Stock
Option means any Stock Option awarded under this Plan
that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
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2.25 Other Stock-Based
Award means an Award under Article 11 of this
Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is
payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including,
without limitation, an Award valued by reference to an Affiliate.
2.26 Parent
means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning
of Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.27 Participant
means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant
to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to this Plan.
2.28 Performance
Cycle has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1.
2.29 Performance
Period has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
2.30 Performance
Share means an Award made pursuant to Article 9
of this Plan of the right to receive Common Stock or cash of an
equivalent value at the end of a specified Performance Period.
2.31 Performance
Unit means an Award made pursuant to Article 10
of this Plan of the right to receive a fixed dollar amount,
payable in cash or Common Stock or a combination of both.
2.32 Person
means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, firm, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, incorporated organization, governmental or
regulatory or other entity.
2.33 Plan means
this MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as
amended and restated effective April 28, 2006, and as
further amended from time to time.
2.34 Reference Stock
Option has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
2.35 Restricted
Stock means an Award of shares of Common Stock under
this Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article 8.
2.36 Restriction
Period has the meaning set forth in
Subsection 8.3.1.A with respect to Restricted Stock.
2.37 Retirement
means a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy
other than a termination for Cause at or after age 65 or
such earlier date after age 50 as may be approved by the
Committee with regard to such Participant, in its sole
discretion, at the time of grant, or thereafter provided that
the exercise of such discretion does not make the applicable
Award subject to Section 409A of the Code. With respect to
a Participants Termination of Directorship, Retirement
means the failure to stand for reelection or the failure to be
reelected on or after a Participant has attained age 65 or,
with the consent of the Board, provided that the exercise of
such discretion does not make the applicable Award subject to
Section 409A of the Code, before age 65 but after
age 50.
2.38 Rule 16b-3
means Rule 16b-3
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect
or any successor provision.
2.39 Section 162(m)
of the Code means the exception for performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code and any
applicable Treasury regulations thereunder.
2.40 Section 409A of
the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation
rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable
Treasury regulations thereunder.
2.41 Securities
Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and
all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Any reference
to any section of the Securities Act shall also be a reference
to any successor provision.
2.42 Stock Appreciation
Right shall mean the right pursuant to an Award
granted under Article 7. A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right
shall mean the right to surrender to the Company all (or a
portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount in cash
and/or stock equal to the difference between (i) the Fair
Market Value on the date such Stock Option (or such portion
thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock
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covered by such Stock Option (or such portion thereof), and
(ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Option (or
such portion thereof). A Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right
shall mean the right to receive an amount in cash and/or stock
equal to the difference between (x) the Fair Market Value
of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised,
and (y) the aggregate exercise price of such right,
otherwise than on surrender of a Stock Option.
2.43 Stock
Option or Option means any option
to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible
Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants granted
pursuant to Article 6.
2.44 Subsidiary
means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the
meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
2.45 Ten Percent
Stockholder means a person owning stock possessing
more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.
2.46 Termination
means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship
or Termination of Employment, as applicable.
2.47 Termination of
Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no
longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or
(b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a
Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant
otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company
or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an
Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible
Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of his
or her consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy
shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is
no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee
Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may
otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award
agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may
otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter.
2.48 Termination of
Directorship means that the Non-Employee Director has
ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if a
Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a
Consultant upon the termination of his or her directorship, his
or her ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be
treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the
Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of
Consultancy, as the case may be.
2.49 Termination of
Employment means: (a) a termination of employment
(for reasons other than a military or personal leave of absence
granted by the Company) of a Participant from the Company and
its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing a
Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant
otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or
another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an
Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a
Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of
his or her employment, unless otherwise determined by the
Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment
shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible
Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a
Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the
Award agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced,
may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter.
2.50 Transfer
means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect
transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance
or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in a
Person), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or
involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when
used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell,
assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of (including the issuance of equity in a Person)
whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or
involuntarily (including by operation of law).
Transferred and Transferable shall have
a correlative meaning.
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ARTICLE 3
Administration
3.1 The Committee. The Plan
shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee.
3.2 Grants of Awards. The
Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the
terms of this Plan, to Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Non-Employee Directors: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock
Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock,
(iv) Performance Shares, (v) Performance Units; and
(vi) Other Stock-Based Awards. In particular, the Committee
shall have the authority:
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3.2.1 to select the Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Non-Employee Directors to whom Awards may from time to time be
granted hereunder; |
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3.2.2 to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any
combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more
Eligible Employees, Consultants or Non-Employee Directors; |
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3.2.3 to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Award granted hereunder; |
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3.2.4 to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of this Plan, of any Award granted hereunder
(including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price
(if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or
acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver
thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock
relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the
Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion); |
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3.2.5 to determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under this Plan
are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or
apart from other awards made by the Company outside of this Plan; |
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3.2.6 to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock
Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted
Stock under Section 6.4.4; |
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3.2.7 to determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Common Stock and other amounts payable with
respect to an Award under this Plan shall be deferred either
automatically or at the election of the Participant in any case,
subject to, and in accordance with, Section 409A of the
Code; |
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3.2.8 to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock
Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option; |
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3.2.9 to determine whether to require a Participant, as a
condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise
dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award
for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole
discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award; |
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3.2.10 to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to
Article 13 and Section 6.4.12 herein, provided,
however, that such action does not subject the Award to
Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the
Participant; |
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3.2.11 to offer to buy out an Award previously granted, based on
such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish and
communicate to the Participant at the time such offer is made;
provided that any such purchase of an Award shall be limited to
no more than the fair market value of the Award on the date of
such purchase; and |
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3.2.12 solely to the extent
permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what
extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may
be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the
Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise
Options under the Plan. |
3.3 Guidelines. Subject to
Article 13 hereof, the Committee shall have the authority
to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines
and practices governing this Plan and perform all acts,
including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent
permitted by applicable law and applicable stock
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exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable;
to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan
and any Award issued under this Plan (and any agreements
relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration
of this Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any
omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any
agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it
shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of
this Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and
provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or
subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions
to comply with applicable tax and securities laws of such
domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no action of the Committee under this
Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant
without the Participants consent. To the extent
applicable, this Plan is intended to comply with the applicable
requirements of
Rule 16b-3 and
with respect to Awards intended to be
performance-based, the applicable provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code, and this Plan shall be limited,
construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.
3.4 Decisions Final. Any
decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good
faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the
Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in
connection with this Plan shall be within the absolute
discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and
shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all
employees and Participants and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns.
3.5 Procedures. If the
Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the
members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall
hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such
times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without
limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the
extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee
members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the
Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any
decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all
the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the
Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a
vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep
minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and
regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem
advisable.
3.6 Designation of Consultants/
Liability.
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3.6.1 The Committee may designate
employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the
Committee in the administration of this Plan and (to the extent
permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may
grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute
agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee. |
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3.6.2 The Committee may employ such
legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable
for the administration of this Plan and may rely upon any
opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any
computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses
incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any
such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company.
The Committee, its members and any person designated pursuant to
subsection 3.6.1 above shall not be liable for any action
or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of
the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of
the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made
in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award granted
under it. |
3.7 Indemnification. To the
maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent
not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each
officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate and member
or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or
expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum
paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the
Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing
at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted,
arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the
administration of this Plan, except to the extent arising out of
such employees, officers, members or former
members own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall
be in addition to any rights of indemnification the employees,
officers, directors or members or former officers, directors or
members may
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have under applicable law or under the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate.
Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will
not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual
with regard to Awards granted to him or her under this Plan.
ARTICLE 4
Share Limitation
4.1 Shares. (a) The
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or
used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may
be granted under this Plan shall not exceed
9,754,802 shares (subject to any increase or decrease
pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized
and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired
for the treasury of the Company or both. With respect to Stock
Appreciation Rights settled in Common Stock, upon settlement,
only the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to a
Participant (based on the difference between the Fair Market
Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock
Appreciation Right on the date such Stock Appreciation Right is
exercised and the exercise price of each Stock Appreciation
Right on the date of such Stock Appreciation Right was awarded)
shall count against the aggregate and individual share
limitations set forth under Sections 4.1(a) and (b). If any
Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Awards
granted under this Plan expires, terminates or is canceled for
any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying any unexercised Award shall
again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan. If
any shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Units, Performance
Shares or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of
Common Stock awarded under this Plan to a Participant are
forfeited for any reason, the number of forfeited shares of
Restricted Stock, Performance Units, Performance Shares or Other
Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock shall
again be available for the purposes of Awards under the Plan. If
a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or a Limited Stock
Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option, such
grant shall only apply once against the maximum number of shares
of Common Stock which may be issued under this Plan.
(b) Individual Participant Limitations.
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4.1.1.A The maximum number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Stock Options, or
Stock Appreciation Rights, or shares of Restricted Stock or
Other Stock-Based Awards for which the grant of such Award or
the lapse of the relevant Restriction Period is subject to the
attainment of Performance Goals in accordance with
Section 8.3.1.B herein which may be granted under this Plan
during any fiscal year of the Company to each Eligible Employee
or Consultant shall be 950,000 shares per type of Award
(which shall be subject to any further increase or decrease
pursuant to Section 4.2), provided that the maximum number
of shares of Common Stock for all types of Awards does not
exceed 1,900,000 (which shall be subject to any further increase
or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) during any fiscal year
of the Company. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted
or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with
a Stock Option, it shall apply against the Eligible
Employees or Consultants individual share
limitations for both Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options. |
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4.1.1.B The maximum number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any Award which may be granted
under this Plan during any fiscal year of the Company to each
Non-Employee Director shall be 50,000 shares (which shall
be subject to any further increase or decrease pursuant to
Section 4.2). |
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4.1.1.C There are no annual
individual Eligible Employee or Consultant share limitations on
Restricted Stock for which the grant of such Award or the lapse
of the relevant Restriction Period is not subject to attainment
of Performance Goals in accordance with Section 8.3.1.B
hereof. |
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4.1.1.D The maximum number of
shares of Common Stock subject to any Award of Performance
Shares which may be granted under this Plan during any fiscal
year of the Company to each Eligible Employee or Consultant
shall be 200,000 (which shall be subject to any further increase
or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2) with respect to any
fiscal year of the Company. Each Performance Share shall be
referenced to one share of Common Stock. |
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4.1.1.E The maximum value of the
payment of Performance Units which may be granted under this
Plan with respect to any fiscal year of the Company to each
Eligible Employee or Consultant shall be $500,000. |
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4.1.1.F The individual Participant
limitations set forth in this Section 4.1(b) (other than
4.1.1.E) shall be cumulative; that is, to the extent that shares
of Common Stock for which Awards are permitted to be granted to
an Eligible Employee or a Consultant during a fiscal year are
not covered by an Award to such Eligible Employee or Consultant
in a fiscal year, the number of shares of Common Stock available
for Awards to such Eligible Employee or Consultant shall
automatically increase in the subsequent fiscal years during the
term of the Plan until used. |
4.2 Changes.
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4.2.1 The existence of this Plan
and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the
right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company
to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization,
reorganization or other change in the Companys capital
structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation
of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of
bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of
or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale
or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the
Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or
proceeding. |
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4.2.2 Subject to the provisions of
Section 4.2.4, in the event of any such change in the
capital structure or business of the Company by reason of any
stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary
dividend (whether cash or stock), combination or
reclassification of shares, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, reorganization, partial or complete
liquidation, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase any
Common Stock or securities convertible into Common Stock, any
sale or transfer of all or part of the Companys assets or
business, or any other corporate transaction or event having an
effect similar to any of the foregoing and effected without
receipt of consideration by the Company and the Committee
determines in good faith that an adjustment is necessary or
appropriate under the Plan to prevent substantial dilution or
enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for,
Participants under the Plan, then the aggregate number and kind
of shares that thereafter may be issued under this Plan, the
number and kind of shares or other property (including cash) to
be issued upon exercise of an outstanding Award or under other
Awards granted under this Plan and the purchase price thereof
shall be appropriately adjusted consistent with such change in
such manner as the Committee may deem equitable to prevent
substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or
available for, Participants under this Plan, and any such
adjustment determined by the Committee in good faith shall be
final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all
Participants and employees and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns. In connection
with any event described in this paragraph, the Committee may
provide, in its sole discretion, for the cancellation of any
outstanding Awards and payment in cash or other property in
exchange therefor. Except as provided in this Section 4.2
or in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant shall have
no rights by reason of any issuance by the Company of any class
or securities convertible into stock of any class, any
subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class,
the payment of any stock dividend, any other increase or
decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class, any sale
or transfer of all or part of the Companys assets or
business or any other change affecting the Companys
capital structure or business. |
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4.2.3 Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any
adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2.1 or 4.2.2
shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of
exercise by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and
rounding-up for
fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements
shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by
rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the
Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and
such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be
effective and binding for all purposes of this Plan. |
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4.2.4 In the event of a merger or consolidation in which the
Company is not the surviving entity or in the event of any
transaction that results in the acquisition of substantially all
of the Companys |
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outstanding Common Stock by a single person or entity or by a
group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, or in the
event of the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the
Companys assets (all of the foregoing being referred to as
an Acquisition Event), then the Committee may, in
its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised
Stock Options, or Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other
Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant elected
exercise effective as of the date of the Acquisition Event, by
delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least
20 days prior to the date of consummation of the
Acquisition Event, in which case during the period from the date
on which such notice of termination is delivered to the
consummation of the Acquisition Event, each such Participant
shall have the right to exercise in full all of his or her
Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any
limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award
agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the
occurrence of the Acquisition Event, and, provided that, if the
Acquisition Event does not take place within a specified period
after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice
and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void. |
If an Acquisition Event occurs but the Committee does not
terminate the outstanding Awards pursuant to this
Section 4.2.4, then the provisions of Section 4.2.2
and Article 12 shall apply.
4.3 Minimum Purchase Price.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if
authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are
issued under this Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a
consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable
law.
ARTICLE 5
Eligibility
5.1 General Eligibility. All
Eligible Employees, prospective employees and Consultants of the
Company and its Affiliates, and Non-Employee Directors of the
Company, are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the
grant of Awards and actual participation in this Plan shall be
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
5.2 Incentive Stock Options.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the
Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible
to be granted Incentive Stock Options under this Plan.
Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and
actual participation in this Plan shall be determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion.
5.3 General Requirement. The
vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective employee
or consultant are conditioned upon such individual actually
becoming an Eligible Employee or Consultant.
ARTICLE 6
Stock Options
6.1 Options. Stock Options
may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted
under this Plan. Each Stock Option granted under this Plan shall
be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or
(b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.2 Grants. The Committee
shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one
or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or
both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall have the
authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one
or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any
Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option
(whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its
exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof
which does not qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified
Stock Option.
6.3 Incentive Stock Options.
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of
this Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be
interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or
authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to
disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code,
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or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to
disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such
Section 422.
6.4 Terms of Options.
Options granted under this Plan shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and
contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of this Plan, as the Committee shall deem
desirable:
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6.4.1 Exercise Price. The
exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock
Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of
grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock
Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder,
110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time
of grant. |
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6.4.2 Stock Option Term. The
term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee,
provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than
10 years after the date the Option is granted; and provided
further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a
Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years. |
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6.4.3 Exercisability. Stock
Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject
to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the
Committee at grant. If the Committee provides, in its
discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to
certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such
Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within
certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations
on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or
in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the
installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at
which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such
factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole
discretion. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at
grant, the Option agreement shall provide that (i) in the
event the Participant engages in Detrimental Activity prior to
any exercise of the Stock Option, all Stock Options held by the
Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire, (ii) as a
condition of the exercise of a Stock Option, the Participant
shall be required to certify (or shall be deemed to have
certified) at the time of exercise in a manner acceptable to the
Company that the Participant is in compliance with the terms and
conditions of the Plan and that the Participant has not engaged
in, and does not intend to engage in, any Detrimental Activity,
and (iii) in the event the Participant engages in
Detrimental Activity during the one year period commencing on
the date the Stock Option is exercised or becomes vested, the
Company shall be entitled to recover from the Participant at any
time within one year after such exercise or vesting, and the
Participant shall pay over to the Company, an amount equal to
any gain realized as a result of the exercise (whether at the
time of exercise or thereafter). The foregoing provisions
described in subsections (i), (ii) and (iii) shall
cease to apply upon a Change in Control. |
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6.4.4 Method of Exercise.
Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period
provisions apply under subsection 6.4.3 above, to the
extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in
part at any time during the Option term, by giving written
notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of
shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be
accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows:
(i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable
to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent
permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a
national securities exchange, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or
quoted on a national quotation system sponsored by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, and the Committee authorizes,
through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable
instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee
to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the
purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions
as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without
limitation, the relinquishment of Stock Options or by payment in
full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the
Participant based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares
of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as
provided herein, has been made or provided for. |
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6.4.5 Non-Transferability of
Options. No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the
Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, and all Stock Options shall be |
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exercisable, during the Participants lifetime, only by the
Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may
determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or
thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise
not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a
Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and
under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A
Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family
Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be
subsequently Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the
terms of this Plan and the applicable Award agreement. Any
shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a
Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a
Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant
to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock
Option shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the
applicable Award agreement. |
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6.4.6 Termination by Death,
Disability or Retirement. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee at grant, or if no rights of the Participant are
reduced, thereafter, if Participants Termination is by
reason of death, Disability or Retirement, all Stock Options
that are held by such Participant that are vested and
exercisable at the time of the Participants Termination
may be exercised by the Participant (or, in the case of death,
by the legal representative of the Participants estate) at
any time within a period of one year from the date of such
Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated
term of such Stock Options; provided, however, that in the case
of Retirement, if the Participant dies within such exercise
period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant
shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they
were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one year
from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the
expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options. |
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6.4.7 Involuntary Termination
Without Cause or for Good Reason. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at grant, or if no rights of the
Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participants
Termination is by involuntary termination without Cause or for
Good Reason, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant
that are vested and exercisable at the time of the
Participants Termination may be exercised by the
Participant at any time within a period of 90 days from the
date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration
of the stated term of such Stock Options. |
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6.4.8 Voluntary Termination.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, or if no
rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a
Participants Termination is voluntary (other than a
voluntary termination described in subsection 6.4.9(y)
below), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that
are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participants
Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time
within a period of 30 days from the date of such
Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated
term of such Stock Options. |
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6.4.9 Termination for Cause.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, or if no
rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a
Participants Termination (x) is for Cause or
(y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in
subsection 6.4.8 above) after the occurrence of an event
that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock
Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such
Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date
of such Termination. |
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6.4.10 Unvested Stock
Options. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at
grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced,
thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of
a Participants Termination for any reason shall terminate
and expire as of the date of such Termination. |
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6.4.11 Incentive Stock Option
Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock
with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable
for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar
year under this Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the
Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. Should
any provision of this Plan not be necessary in order for the
Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should
any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend
this Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the
approval of the stockholders of the Company. |
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6.4.12 Form, Modification,
Extension and Renewal of Stock Options. Subject to the terms
and conditions and within the limitations of this Plan, Stock
Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as
is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may
(i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options
granted under this Plan (provided that the rights of a
Participant are not reduced without his or her consent and
provided further that such action does not subject the Stock
Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of
the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of
outstanding Stock Options (up to the extent not theretofore
exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in
substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be
modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new
Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option
(other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with
Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the
stockholders of the Company. |
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6.4.13 Buyout and Settlement
Provisions. The Committee may at any time offer to buy out
an Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions
as the Committee shall establish and communicate to the
Participant at the time that such offer is made; provided that
such purchase of an Option shall be limited to no more than the
Fair Market Value of the Option on the date of purchase. |
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6.4.14 Deferred Delivery of
Common Shares. The Committee may in its discretion permit
Participants to defer delivery of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a Participants exercise of an Option in accordance with
the terms and conditions established by the Committee in the
applicable Award agreement. |
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6.4.15 Early Exercise. The
Committee may provide that a Stock Option include a provision
whereby the Participant may elect at any time before the
Participants Termination to exercise the Stock Option as
to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the
Stock Option prior to the full vesting of the Stock Option and
such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Article 8
and treated as Restricted Stock. Any unvested shares of Common
Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in
favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Committee
determines to be appropriate. |
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6.4.16 Other Terms and
Conditions. Stock Options may contain such other provisions,
which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of this
Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate including, without
limitation, permitting reloads such that the same
number of Stock Options are granted as the number of Stock
Options exercised, shares used to pay for the exercise price of
Stock Options or shares used to pay withholding taxes
(Reloads). With respect to Reloads, the exercise
price of the new Stock Option shall be the Fair Market Value on
the date of the reload and the term of the Stock
Option shall be the same as the remaining term of the Stock
Options that are exercised, if applicable, or such other
exercise price and term as determined by the Committee. |
ARTICLE 7
Stock Appreciation Rights
7.1 Tandem Stock Appreciation
Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in
conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option (a
Reference Stock Option) granted under this Plan
(Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights). In the case of a
Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be granted either at
or after the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.
In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be
granted only at the time of the grant of such Reference Stock
Option.
7.2 Terms and Conditions of
Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Tandem Stock Appreciation
Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and
conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan,
as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and
the following:
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7.2.1 Exercise Price. The
exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem
Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at
the time of grant, provided that the per |
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share exercise price of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall
not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common
Stock at the time of grant. |
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7.2.2 Term. A Tandem Stock
Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with
respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate and no
longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the
Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise determined
by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant,
a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less
than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock
Option shall not be reduced until and then only to the extent
the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes
the number of shares covered by the Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and
unexercised under the Reference Stock Option. |
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7.2.3 Exercisability. Tandem
Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time
or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock Options to
which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the
provisions of Article 6, and shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 6.4.3. |
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7.2.4 Method of Exercise. A
Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the
Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the
Reference Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the
Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in
the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2. Stock Options
which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no
longer be exercisable to the extent the related Tandem Stock
Appreciation Rights have been exercised. |
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7.2.5 Payment. Upon the
exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant
shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an amount
in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its
sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market
Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise
price per share specified in the Reference Stock Option
agreement multiplied by the number of shares in respect of which
the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised,
with the Committee having the right to determine the form of
payment. |
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7.2.6 Deemed Exercise of
Reference Stock Option. Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock
Appreciation Right, the Reference Stock Option or part thereof
to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be
deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation
set forth in Article 4 of the Plan on the number of shares
of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan. |
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7.2.7 Non-Transferability.
Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable only when
and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be
Transferable under Section 6.4.5 of the Plan. |
7.3 Non-Tandem Stock
Appreciation Rights. Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights
may also be granted without reference to any Stock Options
granted under this Plan.
7.4 Terms and Conditions of
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. Non-Tandem Stock
Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such
terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the
Committee, and the following:
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7.4.1 Exercise Price. The
exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem
Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at
the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of
a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of
grant. |
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7.4.2 Term. The term of each
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the
Committee, but shall not be greater than 10 years after the
date the right is granted. |
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7.4.3 Exercisability.
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable at
such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as
shall be determined by the Committee at grant. If the Committee
provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable
subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation,
that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain
time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the
exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part
(including, without limitation, waiver of the installment
exercise provisions or acceleration of the |
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time at which such right may be exercised), based on such
factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole
discretion. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at
grant, the Award agreement shall provide that (i) in the
event the Participant engages in Detrimental Activity prior to
any exercise of the Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, all
Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights held by the Participant
shall thereupon terminate and expire, (ii) as a condition
of the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the
Participant shall be required to certify (or shall be deemed to
have certified) at the time of exercise in a manner acceptable
to the Company that the Participant is in compliance with the
terms and conditions of the Plan and that the Participant has
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, any
Detrimental Activity, and (iii) in the event the
Participant engages in Detrimental Activity during the one year
period commencing on the date the Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation
Right is exercised or becomes vested, the Company shall be
entitled to recover from the Participant at any time within one
year after such exercise or vesting, and the Participant shall
pay over to the Company, an amount equal to any gain realized as
a result of the exercise (whether at the time of exercise or
thereafter). The foregoing provisions described in subsections
(i), (ii) and (iii) shall cease to apply upon a Change
in Control. |
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7.4.4 Method of Exercise.
Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period
provisions apply under subsection 7.4.3 above, Non-Tandem
Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part
at any time in accordance with the applicable Award agreement,
by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying
the number of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights to be
exercised. |
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7.4.5 Payment. Upon the
exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant
shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to,
but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as
chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value
to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common
Stock on the date the right is exercised over the Fair Market
Value of one share of Common Stock on the date the right was
awarded to the Participant. |
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7.4.6 Non-Transferability.
No Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable by
the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable,
during the Participants lifetime, only by the Participant. |
7.5 Limited Stock Appreciation
Rights. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant
Tandem and Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights either as a
general Stock Appreciation Right or as a Limited Stock
Appreciation Right. Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be
exercised only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or
such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
designate at the time of grant or thereafter. Upon the exercise
of Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, except as otherwise
provided in an Award agreement, the Participant shall receive in
cash and/or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, an
amount equal to the amount (i) set forth in
Section 7.2.5 with respect to Tandem Stock Appreciation
Rights or (ii) set forth in Section 7.4.5 with respect
to Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.
ARTICLE 8
Restricted Stock
8.1 Awards of Restricted
Stock. Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone
or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The
Committee shall determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants
and Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at
which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of
shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the
Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times
within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the
vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all
other terms and conditions of the Awards.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, each
Award of Restricted Stock shall provide that in the event the
Participant engages in Detrimental Activity prior to, or during
the one year period after, any vesting of Restricted Stock, the
Committee may direct that all unvested Restricted Stock shall be
immediately forfeited to the Company and that the Participant
shall pay over to the Company an amount
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equal to the Fair Market Value at the time of vesting of any
Restricted Stock which had vested in the period referred to
above. The foregoing provision shall cease to apply upon a
Change in Control.
The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted
Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets
(including, the Performance Goals specified in Exhibit A
attached hereto) or such other factors as the Committee may
determine, in its sole discretion, including to comply with the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
8.2 Awards and Certificates.
Eligible Employees, Consultants and Non-Employee Directors
selected to receive Restricted Stock shall not have any rights
with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant
has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement evidencing
the Award to the Company and has otherwise complied with the
applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further, such
Award shall be subject to the following conditions:
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8.2.1 Purchase Price. The
purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the
Committee. Subject to Section 4.3, the purchase price for
shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted
by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such
purchase price may not be less than par value. |
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8.2.2 Acceptance. Awards of
Restricted Stock must be accepted within a period of
60 days (or such shorter period as the Committee may
specify at grant) after the grant date, by executing a
Restricted Stock agreement and by paying whatever price (if any)
the Committee has designated thereunder. |
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8.2.3 Legend. Each
Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock
certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock,
unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book
entries by the transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares
of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the
name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends
required by applicable securities laws, bear an appropriate
legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions
applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form: |
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The anticipation, alienation, attachment, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge of the shares of stock
represented hereby are subject to the terms and conditions
(including forfeiture) of the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the
Company) 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
restated as of April 28, 2006 (the Plan), and
an Agreement entered into between the registered owner and the
Company
dated .
Copies of such Plan and Agreement are on file at the principal
office of the Company. |
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8.2.4 Custody. If stock
certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted
Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates
evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until
the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a
condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant
shall have delivered a duly signed stock power, endorsed in
blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such Award. |
8.3 Restrictions and
Conditions. The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant
to this Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and
conditions:
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8.3.1 Restriction Period. |
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8.3.1.A The Participant shall not
be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded
under this Plan during the period or periods set by the
Committee (the Restriction Period) commencing on the
date of such Award, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award
agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule
and any events which would accelerate vesting of the shares of
Restricted Stock. Within these limits, based on service,
attainment of performance goals pursuant to Section 8.3.1.B
below and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may
determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition
the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in
installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting
of all or any part of |
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any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations
for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award. |
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8.3.1.A Objective Performance
Goals, Formulae or Standards. If the grant of shares of
Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions is based on the
attainment of performance goals, the Committee shall establish
the objective performance goals and the applicable vesting
percentage of the Restricted Stock applicable to each
Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the
beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as
otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of
the performance goals are substantially uncertain. Such
performance goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding
(or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate
transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and
acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances.
With regard to a Restricted Stock Award that is intended to
comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent any
such provision would create impermissible discretion under
Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise violate
Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be of no
force or effect. The applicable performance goals shall be based
on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in
Exhibit A hereto. |
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8.3.2 Rights as a
Stockholder. Except as provided in this
subsection 8.3.2 and subsection 8.3.1 above and as
otherwise determined by the Committee, the Participant shall
have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the
rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company
including, without limitation, the right to receive any
dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to and
conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock,
the right to tender such shares. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, determine at the time of grant that the payment of
dividends shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the
expiration of the applicable Restriction Period. |
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8.3.3 Termination. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights
of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the
applicable provisions of the Restricted Stock Award agreement
and this Plan, upon a Participants Termination for any
reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted
Stock still subject to restriction will vest or be forfeited in
accordance with the terms and conditions established by the
Committee at grant or thereafter. |
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8.3.4 Lapse of Restrictions.
If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior
forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such
shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall
be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the
Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or
other limitations imposed by the Committee. |
ARTICLE 9
Performance Shares
9.1 Award of Performance
Shares. Performance Shares may be awarded either alone or in
addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Committee
shall determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which,
Performance Shares shall be awarded, the number of Performance
Shares to be awarded to any person, the duration of the period
(the Performance Period) during which, and the
conditions under which, receipt of the Shares will be deferred,
and the other terms and conditions of the Award in addition to
those set forth in Section 9.2.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, each
Award of Performance Shares shall provide that in the event the
Participant engages in Detrimental Activity prior to, or during
the one year period after, any vesting of Performance Shares,
the Committee may direct (at any time within one year
thereafter) that all unvested Performance Shares shall be
immediately forfeited to the Company and that the Participant
shall pay over to the Company an amount equal to any gain the
Participant realized from any Performance Shares which had
vested in the period referred to above. The foregoing provision
shall cease to apply upon a Change in Control.
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Except as otherwise provided herein, the Committee shall
condition the right to payment of any Performance Share upon the
attainment of objective performance goals established pursuant
to Section 9.2.3 below.
9.2 Terms and Conditions.
Performance Shares awarded pursuant to this Article 9 shall
be subject to the following terms and conditions:
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9.2.1 Earning of Performance Share Award. At the
expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee
shall determine the extent to which the performance goals
established pursuant to Section 9.2.3 are achieved and the
percentage of each Performance Share Award that has been earned. |
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9.2.2 Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable
provisions of the Award agreement and this Plan, Performance
Shares may not be Transferred during the Performance Period. |
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9.2.3 Objective Performance Goals, Formulae or Standards.
The Committee shall establish the objective performance goals
for the earning of Performance Shares based on a Performance
Period applicable to each Participant or class of Participants
in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance
Period or at such later date as permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the
performance goals are substantially uncertain. Such performance
goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or
adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate
transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and
acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To
the extent any such provision would create impermissible
discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise
violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be
of no force or effect. The applicable performance goals shall be
based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in
Exhibit A hereto. |
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9.2.4 Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee at the time of grant, amounts equal to any dividends
declared during the Performance Period with respect to the
number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Share
will not be paid to the Participant. |
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9.2.5 Payment. Following the Committees
determination in accordance with subsection 9.2.1 above,
shares of Common Stock or, as determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion, the cash equivalent of such shares shall be
delivered to the Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee
Director, or his legal representative, in an amount equal to
such individuals earned Performance Share. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, award
an amount less than the earned Performance Share and/or subject
the payment of all or part of any Performance Share to
additional vesting, forfeiture and deferral conditions as it
deems appropriate. |
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9.2.6 Termination. Subject to the applicable provisions
of the Award agreement and this Plan, upon a Participants
Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a
given Award, the Performance Shares in question will vest or be
forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions
established by the Committee at grant. |
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9.2.7 Accelerated Vesting.
Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or
criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee
may, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any
part of any Performance Share Award. |
ARTICLE 10
Performance Units
10.1 Award of Performance
Units. Performance Units may be awarded either alone or in
addition to other Awards granted under this Plan. The Committee
shall determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which,
Performance Units shall be awarded, the number of Performance
Units to be awarded to any person, the duration of the period
(the Performance Cycle) during which, and the
conditions under which, a Participants right to
Performance Units will be vested, the ability of Participants to
defer the receipt of payment of such Units, and the other terms
and conditions of the Award in addition to those set forth in
Section 10.2.
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A Performance Unit shall have a fixed dollar value.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant, each
Award of Performance Units shall provide that in the event the
Participant engages in Detrimental Activity prior to, or during
the one year period after, any vesting of Performance Units, the
Committee may direct (at any time within one year thereafter)
that all unvested Performance Units shall be immediately
forfeited to the Company and that the Participant shall pay over
to the Company an amount equal to any gain the Participant
realized from any Performance Units which had vested in the
period referred to above. The foregoing provision shall cease to
apply upon a Change in Control.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Committee shall
condition the vesting of Performance Units upon the attainment
of objective performance goals established pursuant to
Section 10.2.1.
10.2 Terms and Conditions.
The Performance Units awarded pursuant to this Article 10
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
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10.2.1 Performance Goals.
The Committee shall establish the objective performance goals
for the earning of Performance Units based on a Performance
Cycle applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in
writing prior to the beginning of the applicable Performance
Cycle or at such later date as permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the
performance goals are substantially uncertain. Such performance
goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or
adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate
transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and
acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To
the extent any such provision would create impermissible
discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise
violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be
of no force or effect. The applicable performance goals shall be
based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in
Exhibit A hereto. |
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10.2.2 Non-Transferability.
Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and
this Plan, Performance Unit Awards may not be Transferred. |
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10.2.3 Vesting. At the
expiration of the Performance Cycle, the Committee shall
determine the extent to which the performance goals have been
achieved, and the percentage of the Performance Unit Award of
each Participant that has vested. |
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10.2.4 Payment. Subject to
the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and this Plan,
at the expiration of the Performance Cycle, cash and/or share
certificates of an equivalent value (as the Committee may
determine in its sole discretion) shall be delivered to the
Participant, or his legal representative, in payment of the
vested Performance Units covered by the Performance Unit Award. |
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10.2.5 Termination. Subject
to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and this
Plan, upon a Participants Termination for any reason
during the Performance Cycle for a given Award, the Performance
Units in question will vest or be forfeited in accordance with
the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant. |
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10.2.6 Accelerated Vesting.
Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or
criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee
may, at or after grant, accelerate the vesting of all or any
part of any Performance Unit and/or waive the deferral
limitations for all or any part of such Award. |
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ARTICLE 11
Other Stock-Based Awards
11.1 Other Awards. The
Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Employees,
Consultants and Non-Employee Directors Other Stock-Based Awards
that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to,
or otherwise based on or related to shares of Common Stock,
including but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded
purely as a bonus and not subject to any restrictions or
conditions, shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due
under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained
by the Company or an Affiliate, stock equivalent units,
restricted stock units, and Awards valued by reference to book
value of shares of Common Stock. Other Stock-Based Awards may be
granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other
Awards granted under the Plan.
Subject to the provisions of this Plan, the Committee shall have
authority to determine the Eligible Employees, Consultants and
Non-Employee Directors, to whom, and the time or times at which,
such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock
to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions
of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of
Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a
specified performance period.
The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other
Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified performance
criteria set forth on Exhibit A as the Committee may
determine, in its sole discretion; provided that to the extent
that such Other Stock-Based Awards are intended to comply with
Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall establish
the objective performance goals for the grant or vesting of such
Other Stock-Based Awards based on a performance period
applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in
writing prior to the beginning of the applicable performance
period or at such later date as permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code and while the outcome of the
performance goals are substantially uncertain. Such performance
goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under
Section 162(m) of the Code, provisions for disregarding (or
adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate
transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and
acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To
the extent any such provision would create impermissible
discretion under Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise
violate Section 162(m) of the Code, such provision shall be
of no force or effect. The applicable performance goals shall be
based on one or more of the performance criteria set forth in
Exhibit A hereto.
11.2 Terms and Conditions.
Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article 11
shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
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11.2.1 Non-Transferability.
Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award agreement and
this Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under
this Article 11 may not be Transferred prior to the date on
which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any
applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses. |
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11.2.2 Dividends. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of Award,
subject to the provisions of the Award agreement and this Plan,
the recipient of an Award under this Article 11 shall not
be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis,
dividends or dividend equivalents with respect to the number of
shares of Common Stock covered by the Award, as determined at
the time of the Award by the Committee, in its sole discretion. |
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11.2.3 Vesting. Any Award
under this Article 11 and any Common Stock covered by any
such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided
in the Award agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion. |
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11.2.4 Price. Common Stock
issued on a bonus basis under this Article 11 may be issued
for no cash consideration; Common Stock purchased pursuant to a
purchase right awarded under this Article 11 shall be
priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. |
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ARTICLE 12
Change in Control Provisions
12.1 Benefits. In the event
of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and
except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award
agreement, a Participants unvested Award shall not vest
and a Participants Award shall be treated in accordance
with one of the following methods as determined by the Committee:
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12.1.1 Awards, whether or not then
vested, shall be continued, assumed, have new rights substituted
therefor or be treated in accordance with Section 4.2.4
hereof, as determined by the Committee, and restrictions to
which any shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted
prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon
a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award
shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the
Committee, receive the same distribution as other Common Stock
on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that, the
Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or
other Award in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock
Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply
with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.424-1
(and any amendments thereto). |
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12.1.2 The Committee, in its sole
discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the
Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the
excess of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the
shares of Common Stock covered by such Awards, over the
aggregate exercise price of such Awards. For purposes of this
Section 12.1, Change in Control Price shall mean the
highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction
related to a Change in Control of the Company. |
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12.1.3 Notwithstanding anything
else herein, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide
for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at
any time. |
12.2 Change in Control.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable
Award agreement or other written agreement approved by the
Committee, a Change in Control shall be deemed to
occur if (i) any person as such term is used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than
the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities
under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company
owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership
of Common Stock), is or becomes the beneficial owner
(as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of
the Companys then outstanding securities; (ii) during
any period of two consecutive years individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new
director (other than a director designated by a person who has
entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a
transaction described in paragraph (i), (iii), or
(iv) of this section) whose election by the Board or
nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then
still in office who either were directors at the beginning of
the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election
was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute
at least a majority of the Board; (iii) a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other
than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity)
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided,
however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in
which no person (other than those covered by the
exceptions in (i) above) acquires more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding
securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of the
Company; or (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a
plan of complete liquidation of the Company or the consummation
of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Companys assets other than
(x) the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company to a person or persons who
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 50% or more
of the combined voting
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power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the
time of the sale or (y) pursuant to a spinoff type
transaction, directly or indirectly, of such assets to the
stockholders of the Company.
ARTICLE 13
Termination or Amendment of Plan
13.1 Termination or
Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan,
the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in
whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan
(including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the
Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to
in Article 15 or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend
or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided,
however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically
provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to
Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or
termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such
Participant and, provided further, without the approval of the
holders of the Companys Common Stock entitled to vote in
accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made which
would (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued under this Plan (except by operation of
Section 4.2); (ii) increase the maximum individual
Participant limitations for a fiscal year under
Section 4.1(b) (except by operation of Section 4.2);
(iii) change the classification of individuals eligible to
receive Awards under this Plan; (iv) decrease the minimum
option price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right;(v)
extend the maximum option period under Section 6.4;
(vi) alter the performance goals for Restricted Stock,
Performance Units, Performance Shares or Other Stock-Based
Awards as set forth in Exhibit A; (vii) award any
Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in replacement of a
canceled Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a higher
exercise price than the replacement award, except in accordance
with Section 6.4.12; or (viii) require stockholder
approval in order for this Plan to continue to comply with the
applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code or, to
the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options,
Section 422 of the Code. In no event may this Plan be
amended without the approval of the stockholders of the Company
in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware
to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that
may be issued under this Plan, decrease the minimum exercise
price of any Award, or to make any other amendment that would
require stockholder approval under NASD Rule 4350(i)(1)(A)
or such other rules of any exchange or system on which the
Companys securities are listed or traded at the request of
the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
the Board may amend the Plan or any Award agreement at any time
without a Participants consent to comply with applicable
law including Section 409A of the Code.
The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore
granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to
Article 4 above or as otherwise specifically provided
herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall
impair the rights of any holder without the holders
consent.
ARTICLE 14
Unfunded Plan
14.1 Unfunded Status of
Plan. This Plan is intended to constitute an
unfunded plan for incentive and deferred
compensation. With respect to any payments as to which a
Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not
yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained
herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are
greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the
Company.
ARTICLE 15
General Provisions
15.1 Legend. The Committee
may require each person receiving shares of Common Stock
pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the
Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to
distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required
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by this Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any
legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any
restrictions on Transfer.
All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the
Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the
rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common
Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system
upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any
applicable Federal or state securities law, and any applicable
corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends
to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference
to such restrictions.
15.2 Other Plans. Nothing
contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting
other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to
stockholder approval if such approval is required; and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable
only in specific cases.
15.3 No Right to
Employment/Directorship/ Consultancy. Neither this Plan nor
the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any
Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee
Director any right with respect to continuance of employment,
consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor
shall they be a limitation in any way on the right of the
Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a
Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate his
or her employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.
15.4 Withholding of Taxes.
The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to
be made pursuant to this Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to
the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock or the
payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of,
any Federal, state or local taxes required by law to be
withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award
that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under
Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all
required withholding to the Company. Any statutorily required
withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be
satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing
the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by
delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of
a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations
shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in
cash by the Participant.
15.5 No Assignment of
Benefits. No Award or other benefit payable under this Plan
shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or
permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and
any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any
such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to
the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any
person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be
subject to attachment or legal process for or against such
person.
15.6 Listing and Other
Conditions.
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15.6.1 Unless otherwise determined
by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a
national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national
securities association, the issue of any shares of Common Stock
pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being
listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no
obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are
so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award
with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such
listing has been effected. |
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15.6.2 If at any time counsel to
the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of
shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is
or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the
imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes,
rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company
shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to
make any application or to effect or to maintain any
qualification or registration under the Securities Act or
otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and
the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be
suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or
delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of
excise taxes on the Company. |
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15.6.3 Upon termination of any
period of suspension under this Section 15.6, any Award
affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or
terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before
such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have
become available during the period of such suspension, but no
such suspension shall extend the term of any Award. |
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15.6.4 A Participant shall be
required to supply the Company with any certificates,
representations and information that the Company requests and
otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing,
registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the
Company deems necessary or appropriate. |
15.7 Stockholders Agreement and
Other Requirements. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common
Stock pursuant to an Award under this Plan, to the extent
required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and
deliver a stockholders agreement or such other
documentation which shall set forth certain restrictions on
transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon
exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Board or
Committee shall from time to time establish. Such
stockholders agreement or other documentation shall apply
to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by such
stockholders agreement or other documentation. The Company
may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to
become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or
other agreement).
15.8 Governing Law. This
Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern
under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).
15.9 Construction. Wherever
any words are used in this Plan in the masculine gender they
shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine
gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever any
words are used herein in the singular form they shall be
construed as though they were also used in the plural form in
all cases where they would so apply.
15.10 Other Benefits. No
Award granted or paid out under this Plan shall be deemed
compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any
retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any
benefits under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in
effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is
related to the level of compensation.
15.11 Costs. The Company
shall bear all expenses associated with administering this Plan,
including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to any
Awards hereunder.
15.12 No Right to Same
Benefits. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with
respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual
Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.
15.13 Death/Disability. The
Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a
Participant to supply it with written notice of the
Participants death or Disability and to supply it with a
copy of the will (in the case of the Participants death)
or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to
establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The
Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee
to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.
15.14 Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act. All elections and transactions under this Plan
by persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act
involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any
applicable exemptive condition under
Rule 16b-3. The
Committee may establish and adopt written administrative
guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary
or proper for the administration and operation of this Plan and
the transaction of business thereunder.
15.15 Section 409A of the
Code. The Plan is intended to comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be
limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such
intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to
Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that
will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including
proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance
issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue
Service with respect thereto. Notwithstand-
A-26
ing anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan
that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be
deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the
Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to
comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void.
15.16 Successor and Assigns.
The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted
assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the
estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or
trustee of such estate.
15.17 Severability of
Provisions. If any provision of the Plan shall be held
invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall
be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been
included.
15.18 Payments to Minors,
Etc. Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor,
an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipt
thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such persons
guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to
provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall
fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its
Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with
respect thereto.
15.19 Headings and Captions.
The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and
convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and
shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.
ARTICLE 16
Effective Date of Plan
The Plan was originally adopted by the Board in its resolution
adopting the Plan on April 1, 2004 and was approved by the
stockholders of the Company in 2004 thereafter. The Board
subsequently approved the amendment and restatement of the Plan
effective as of April 28, 2006 (the Amended and
Restated Plan), subject to stockholder approval. The
Amended and Restated Plan shall become effective upon the date
specified by the Board in its resolution adopting the Amended
and Restated Plan, subject to stockholder approval at the
Companys 2006 annual stockholders meeting; provided
that if the Amended and Restated Plan is not approved by the
stockholders, all provisions of the Initial Plan shall remain
effective.
ARTICLE 17
Term of Plan
No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after
April 1, 2014, but Awards granted prior to such date may
extend beyond that date; provided that no Award (other than
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) that is intended to be
performance-based under Section 162(m) of the
Code shall be granted on or after the fifth anniversary of the
stockholder approval of the Amended and Restated Plan unless the
performance criteria set forth on Exhibit A are reapproved
(or other designated performance goals are approved) by the
stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that
occurs in the fifth year following the year in which
stockholders approve the performance goals set forth on
Exhibit A.
ARTICLE 18
Name of Plan
This Plan shall be known as The MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
2004 Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated Effective
April 28, 2006).
A-27
EXHIBIT A
PERFORMANCE GOALS
Performance goals established for purposes of the grant and/or
vesting of performance-based Awards of Restricted Stock, Other
Stock-Based Awards, Performance Units and/or Performance Shares
intended to be performance-based under
Section 162(m) of the Code shall be based on one or more of
the following performance goals (Performance Goals):
(i) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a
specified increase in, enterprise value or value creation
targets of the Company (or any subsidiary, division or other
operational unit of the Company); (ii) the attainment of
certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in after-tax
or pre-tax profits of the Company, including without limitation
that attributable to continuing and/or other operations of the
Company (or in either case a subsidiary, division, or other
operational unit of the Company); (iii) the attainment of
certain target levels of, or a specified increase in,
operational cash flow of the Company (or a subsidiary, division,
or other operational unit of the Company); (iv) the
attainment of a certain level of reduction of, or other
specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of
increase in all or a portion of, the Companys bank debt or
other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other
similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be
calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and
adjustments as may be established by the Committee; (v) the
attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per
share or earnings per share from continuing operations of the
Company (or a subsidiary, division or other operational unit of
the Company); (vi) the attainment of certain target levels
of, or a specified percentage increase in, net sales, revenues,
net income or earnings before income tax or other exclusions of
the Company (or a subsidiary, division, or other operational
unit of the Company); (vii) the attainment of certain
target levels of, or a specified increase in, return on capital
employed or return on invested capital of the Company (or any
subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company);
(viii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a
percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax return on
stockholder equity of the Company (or any subsidiary, division
or other operational unit of the Company); (ix) the
attainment of certain target levels of in the fair market value
of the shares of the Companys Common Stock; (xi) the
growth in the value of an investment in the Companys
Common Stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; or
(xii) a transaction that results in the sale of all or
substantially all of the stock or assets of the Company.
In addition, such Performance Goals may be based upon the
attainment of specified levels of Company (or subsidiary,
division or other operational unit of the Company) performance
under one or more of the measures described above relative to
the performance of other corporations. To the extent permitted
under Section 162(m) of the Code, but only to the extent
permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code (including,
without limitation, compliance with any requirements for
shareholder approval), the Committee may: (i) designate
additional business criteria on which the Performance Goals may
be based or (ii) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned
business criteria.
A-28
Appendix B
FORM OF INCENTIVE
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28,
2006)
AGREEMENT (Agreement), dated as
of ,
20 by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the
Company)
and (the
Participant).
Preliminary Statement
The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) or
a committee appointed by the Board (the Committee)
to administer the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive
Plan (Amended and Restated effective April 28, 2006) (the
Plan), has authorized this grant of an incentive
stock option (the Option)
on ,
20 (the Grant Date) to purchase the number of
shares of the Companys common stock, par value
$.003 per share (the Common Stock) set forth
below to the Participant, as an Eligible Employee of the Company
or an Affiliate (collectively, the Company and all Subsidiaries
and Parents of the Company shall be referred to as the
Employer). Unless otherwise indicated, any
capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the
meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. A copy of the Plan
has been delivered to the Participant. By signing and returning
this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges having received and
read a copy of the Plan and agrees to comply with it, this
Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Tax Matters. The Option granted hereby is
intended to qualify as an incentive stock option
under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Option will not qualify as an incentive stock
option, among other events, (i) if the Participant
disposes of the Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option at
any time during the two (2) year period following the date
of this Agreement or the one (1) year period following the
date on which the Option is exercised; (ii) except in the
event of the Participants death or disability, as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, if the Participant is not
employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all
times during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement
and ending on the day three (3) months before the date of
exercise of the Option; or (iii) to the extent the
aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the
Option is granted) of the Common Stock subject to
incentive stock options which become exercisable for
the first time in any calendar year exceeds $100,000. To the
extent that the Option does not qualify as an incentive
stock option, it shall not effect the validity of the
Option and shall constitute a separate non-qualified stock
option.
2. Grant of Option. Subject in all respects
to the Plan and the terms and conditions set forth herein and
therein, the Participant is hereby granted an Option to purchase
from the
Company shares
of Common Stock, at a price per share of
$ (the
Option Price).
3. Exercise. (a) Except as set forth in
subsections (b) and (c) below, the Option shall vest and
become exercisable as follows, provided that the Participant has
not incurred a Termination prior to that date:
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Vesting Date |
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Number of Shares | |
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One year anniversary of the Grant Date
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13 through 35 month anniversary of the Grant Date
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36 month anniversary of the Grant Date
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B-1
To the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable
with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided
above, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the
Participant, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to
time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein
and in accordance with Section 6.4(d) of the Plan,
including, without limitation, by the filing of any written form
of exercise notice as may be required by the Committee and
payment in full of the Option Price multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying the portion of the Option
exercised. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be
canceled and no longer exercisable.
There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the
periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur
only on the appropriate vesting date.
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(a) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for
accelerated vesting of the Option at any time. |
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(b) The provisions in Section 6.4(c) of the Plan
regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Option. |
4. Option Term. The term of each Option shall
be ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to earlier
termination in the event of the Participants Termination
as specified in Section 5 below.
5. Termination.
Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option,
to the extent vested at the time of the Participants
Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:
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(a) In the event of the Participants Termination by
reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, the vested portion
of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) one (1) year from the date of such Termination or
(ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option
pursuant to Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that in
the case of Retirement, if the Participant dies within such one
(1) year exercise period, any unexercised Option held by
the Participant shall thereafter be exercisable by the legal
representative of the Participants estate, to the extent
to which it was exercisable at the time of death, for a period
of one (1) year from the date of death, but in no event
beyond the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant
to Section 4 hereof. |
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(b) In the event of the Participants involuntary
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason, the vested portion
of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination
or (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option
pursuant to Section 4 hereof. |
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(c) In the event of the Participants voluntary
Termination (other than a voluntary termination described in
Section 5(d) below), the vested portion of the Option shall
remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) thirty
(30) days from the date of such Termination or
(ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option
pursuant to Section 4 hereof. |
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(d) In the event of the Participants Termination for
Cause or in the event of the Participants voluntary
Termination within ninety (90) days after an event that
would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, the
Participants entire Option (whether or not vested) shall
terminate and expire upon such Termination. |
Any portion of the Option that is not vested as of the date of
the Participants Termination for any reason shall
terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.
6. Restriction on Transfer of Option. No part
of the Option shall be Transferred other than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of the
Participant, may be exercised only by the Participant or the
Participants guardian or legal representative. In
addition, the Option shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged
or hypothecated in any way (except as provided by law or
herein), and the Option shall not be subject to execution,
attachment or similar process. Upon any attempt to Transfer the
Option or in the event of any levy upon the Option by reason of
any execution, attachment or similar process contrary to the
B-2
provisions hereof, such transfer shall be void and of no effect
and the Company shall have the right to disregard the same on
its books and records and to issue stop transfer
instructions to its transfer agent.
7. Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant
shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares
covered by the Option unless and until the Participant has
become the holder of record of the shares, and no adjustments
shall be made for dividends in cash or other property,
distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares,
except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan.
8. Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement
is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the
Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions
thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations
relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as
may be in effect from time to time. The Plan is incorporated
herein by reference. If and to the extent that this Agreement
conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall control, and this
Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly. This
Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof (other than any exercise
notice or other documents expressly contemplated herein or in
the Plan) and supersedes any prior agreements between the
Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter
hereof.
9. Notices. Any notice or communication given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two
(2) days after being sent by United States mail; or
(iii) on the first business day following the date of
deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set
forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time
to time specify):
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Compensation Committee
If to the Participant, to the address on file with the Company.
10. No Obligation to Continue Employment.
This Agreement is not an agreement of employment. This Agreement
does not guarantee that the Employer will employ the Participant
for any specific time period, nor does it modify in any respect
the Employers right to terminate or modify the
Participants employment or compensation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.
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MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. |
[PARTICIPANT]
B-3
Appendix C
FORM OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
NON QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THE
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
(AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE APRIL 28,
2006)
AGREEMENT (Agreement), dated as
of ,
20 by and between MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (the
Company)
and (the
Participant).
Preliminary Statement
The Board of Directors of the Company (the Board),
which is the committee under the MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 2004
Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective
April 28, 2006) (the Plan) with respect to
Non-Employee Directors (the Committee), has
authorized this grant of a non-qualified stock option (the
Option)
on ,
20 (the Grant Date) to purchase the number of
shares of the Companys common stock, par value
$.003 per share (the Common Stock) set forth
below to the Participant, as a Non-Employee Director of the
Company or an Affiliate (collectively, the Company and all
Subsidiaries and Parents of the Company shall be referred to as
the Employer). Unless otherwise indicated, any
capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the
meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan. A copy of the Plan
has been delivered to the Participant. By signing and returning
this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges having received and
read a copy of the Plan and agrees to comply with it, this
Agreement and all applicable laws and regulations.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Tax Matters. No part of the Option granted
hereby is intended to qualify as an incentive stock
option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the Code).
2. Grant of Option. Subject in all respects
to the Plan and the terms and conditions set forth herein and
therein, the Participant is hereby granted an Option to purchase
from the
Company shares
of Common Stock, at a price per share of
$ (the
Option Price).
3. Exercise. (a) Except as set forth in
subsections (b) and (c) below, the Option shall vest
and become exercisable as follows, provided that the Participant
has not incurred a Termination prior to that date:
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Vesting Date |
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Number of Shares | |
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On ,
20
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On ,
20
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To the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable
with respect to a number of shares of Common Stock as provided
above, the Option may thereafter be exercised by the
Participant, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to
time prior to the expiration of the Option as provided herein
and in accordance with Section 6.4(d) of the Plan,
including, without limitation, by the filing of any written form
of exercise notice as may be required by the Committee and
payment in full of the Option Price multiplied by the number of
shares of Common Stock underlying the portion of the Option
exercised. Upon expiration of the Option, the Option shall be
canceled and no longer exercisable.
There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the
periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur
only on the appropriate vesting date.
(b) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for
accelerated vesting of the Option at any time.
C-1
(c) The provisions in Section 6.4(c) of the Plan
regarding Detrimental Activity shall apply to the Option.
4. Option Term. The term of each Option shall
be ten (10) years after the Grant Date, subject to earlier
termination in the event of the Participants Termination
as specified in Section 5 below.
5. Termination.
Subject to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Option,
to the extent vested at the time of the Participants
Termination, shall remain exercisable as follows:
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(a) In the event of the Participants Termination by
reason of death, Disability, or Retirement, the vested portion
of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) one (1) year from the date of such Termination or
(ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option
pursuant to Section 4 hereof; provided, however, that in
the case of Retirement, if the Participant dies within such one
(1) year exercise period, any unexercised Option held by
the Participant shall thereafter be exercisable by the legal
representative of the Participants estate, to the extent
to which it was exercisable at the time of death, for a period
of one (1) year from the date of death, but in no event
beyond the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant
to Section 4 hereof. |
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(b) In the event of the Participants involuntary
Termination without Cause or for Good Reason, the vested portion
of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of
(i) one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of
such Termination or (ii) the expiration of the stated term
of the Option pursuant to Section 4 hereof. |
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(c) In the event of the Participants voluntary
Termination (other than a voluntary termination described in
Section 5(d) below), the vested portion of the Option shall
remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) one hundred
eighty (180) days from the date of such Termination or
(ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option
pursuant to Section 4 hereof. |
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(d) In the event of the Participants Termination for
Cause or in the event of the Participants voluntary
Termination within ninety (90) days after an event that
would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, the
Participants entire Option (whether or not vested) shall
terminate and expire upon such Termination. |
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(e) Any portion of the Option that is not vested as of the
date of the Participants Termination for any reason shall
terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination. |
6. Restriction on Transfer of Option. No part
of the Option shall be Transferred other than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of the
Participant, may be exercised only by the Participant or the
Participants guardian or legal representative.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may be Transferred to
a Family Member, provided that the Option may not be
subsequently Transferred otherwise than by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution and shall remain subject to the
terms of the Plan and this Agreement. In addition, the Option
shall not be assigned, negotiated, pledged or hypothecated in
any way (except as provided by law or herein), and the Option
shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar
process. Upon any attempt to Transfer the Option or in the event
of any levy upon the Option by reason of any execution,
attachment or similar process contrary to the provisions hereof,
such transfer shall be void and of no effect and the Company
shall have the right to disregard the same on its books and
records and to issue stop transfer instructions to
its transfer agent.
7. Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant
shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares
covered by the Option unless and until the Participant has
become the holder of record of the shares, and no adjustments
shall be made for dividends in cash or other property,
distributions or other rights in respect of any such shares,
except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan.
8. Provisions of Plan Control. This Agreement
is subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of the
Plan, including, without limitation, the amendment provisions
thereof, and to such rules, regulations and interpretations
relating to the Plan as may be adopted by the Committee and as
may be in effect from time to
C-2
time. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. If and to
the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with
the terms, conditions and provisions of the Plan, the Plan shall
control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified
accordingly. This Agreement contains the entire understanding of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof (other
than any exercise notice or other documents expressly
contemplated herein or in the Plan) and supersedes any prior
agreements between the Company and the Participant with respect
to the subject matter hereof.
9. Notices. Any notice or communication given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given: (i) when delivered in person; (ii) two
(2) days after being sent by United States mail; or
(iii) on the first business day following the date of
deposit if delivered by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery service, to the appropriate party at the address set
forth below (or such other address as the party shall from time
to time specify):
MarketAxess Holdings Inc.
140 Broadway, 42nd Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Compensation Committee
If to the Participant, to the address on file with the Company.
10. No Obligation to Continue Employment.
This Agreement is not an agreement of employment. This Agreement
does not guarantee that the Employer will employ the Participant
for any specific time period, nor does it modify in any respect
the Employers right to terminate or modify the
Participants employment or compensation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on
the date and year first above written.
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MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC. |
[PARTICIPANT]
C-3
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
June 7, 2006, 10:00 a.m.
The New York Marriott Financial Center
85 West Street
New York, NY 10006
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Richard M. McVey, James N.B. Rucker and Charles R. Hood,
jointly and severally, as proxies and attorneys of the undersigned, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, to vote all shares of stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MarketAxess Holdings Inc. to be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006,
or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.
You are encouraged to indicate your choices by marking the appropriate boxes, as specified on
the reverse side, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board
of Directors recommendations.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side.)
2006 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
MARKETAXESS HOLDINGS INC.
June 7, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
â Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. â
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU INSTRUCT THE PROXIES TO VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK
YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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1. Election of Directors: |
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NOMINEES: |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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Richard M. McVey
Stephen P. Casper |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR ALL NOMINEES
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David G. Gomach
Carlos M. Hernandez |
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Ronald M. Hersch |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below)
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¡
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Wayne D. Lyski
Jerome S. Markowitz |
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Nicolas S. Rohatyn |
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John Steinhardt |
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INSTRUCTION: |
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To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill
in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here: l |
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To change the address on your account, please check
the box at right and indicate your new address in
the address space above. Please note that changes to
the registered name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method. |
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FOR |
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AGAINST |
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ABSTAIN |
2.
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To approve an amendment and restatement of the 2004 Stock
Incentive Plan (the Plan) to, among other things, increase
the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan
by 6,670,000 shares.
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3.
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To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
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UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3 AND WILL BE VOTED BY THE PROXYHOLDERS
AT THEIR DISCRETION AS TO ANY OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY TRANSACTED AT
THE MEETING OR AT ANY POSTPONEMENT OR ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS, JUST SIGN BELOW NO BOXES
NEED BE CHECKED. |
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This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner
directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is
made, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2 and 3. |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Note: |
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Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person. |