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 S
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant £
Check the appropriate box:
S Preliminary Proxy Statement | |
£ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
£ Definitive Proxy Statement | |
£ Definitive Additional Materials | |
£ Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12 |
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
£ | No fee required. | ||
S | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||
(1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. | ||
(2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 9,635,192 shares of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. | ||
(3) | 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): $293,767,364.48, the sum of $145,000,000 in cash plus the value of 9,635,192 shares of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Common Stock ($148,767,364.48 based upon the average high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 18, 2007). | ||
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $293,767,364.48. | ||
(5) | Total fee paid: $58,753.47 computed in accordance with Rule 0-11(c)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. | ||
£ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||
£ | 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. | ||
(1) | Amount previously paid: | ||
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | ||
(3) | Filing Party: | ||
(4) | Date Filed: | ||
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL
CORP. , 2007 Dear Stockholder: On behalf of the board of
directors, I cordially invite you to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. (the
Meeting), which will be held at . We
are excited about our current direction and greatly appreciate the support of our stockholders. The matters to be considered by our
stockholders at the Meeting are described in detail in the
accompanying materials. Among the matters that you will be considering is the proposed issuance of shares of our common stock to
enable us to complete the acquisition of our external manager. It is very important that you be
represented at the Meeting regardless of the number of shares you own or whether you are able to attend the Meeting in person.
Even if you plan to attend the
Meeting, let me urge you to mark, sign and date your proxy card today and return it in the envelope provided. Voting by proxy card
will not prevent you from voting in person, but will ensure that
your vote is counted, if for whatever reason, you are unable to attend. Your continued support and interest
in Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. are sincerely appreciated.
Sincerely,
Peter H. Rothschild
6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
Interim Chairman
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL
CORP. NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS Dear Stockholder: You are cordially invited to attend
the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting) of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. (DFR) to be held on
, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern Daylight Savings Time, at . As you may know, on April 19, 2007
we entered into a merger agreement (the Merger Agreement) with DFR Merger Company, LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary
(Merger Sub), Deerfield &
Company LLC (Deerfield), an entity in which Triarc Companies, Inc. (Triarc) owns a controlling interest,
and Triarc (as the sellers representative), which provides for the merger of Merger Sub
with and into Deerfield (the Merger). If the Merger is completed, Deerfield will become an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of DFR. Since our inception, we have sought
to provide returns to our investors through a combination of dividends and capital appreciation on our investments, which are
primarily mortgage-backed
securities. Historically, all investment management services for DFR have been provided by our external manager, Deerfield Capital
Management LLC (DCM), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Deerfield, under the supervision of our board of directors (the Board), pursuant to a management agreement with DCM.
Our Board has considered whether DFR should acquire Deerfield, which
would result in our becoming a more diversified financial services company with increasingly diversified revenue sources and
convert our current external management structure into an internally-
managed structure. After due deliberation and consideration of the various factors described in the enclosed proxy statement, and
upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee of the
Board comprised solely of directors who have no material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our
stockholders (the Special Committee), the Board determined that the Merger
is advisable and in the best interests of DFR and its stockholders. The members of the Board with a material financial interest in
the Merger that differs from that of our stockholders abstained from
voting to approve the Merger. The Merger is subject to customary
closing conditions, including the approval of the issuance of shares of DFR common stock in the Merger by DFRs stockholders
representing (1) a majority of
the votes cast on the proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares
of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal) and (2) a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal by stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc. If all of the conditions
to the Merger are satisfied or waived, we anticipate completing the
Merger within several business days after the Meeting. The aggregate consideration to be
paid by DFR in connection with the Merger consists of $145 million in cash and 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock. The cash portion
of the aggregate
consideration is subject to various deductions, including an amount equal to the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest
outstanding, if any, under a revolving note of Deerfield immediately
prior to the Merger and an amount equal to the unpaid transaction expenses of Deerfield and Triarc (incurred on behalf of all
Deerfield members generally) immediately prior to the Merger. The
9,635,192 shares of DFRs common stock to be issued upon the completion of the Merger will constitute approximately % of the outstanding shares of DFRs common stock after the Merger.
This issuance will reduce your percentage ownership of our common stock. Of the total of 9,635,192 shares of
DFR common stock to be issued in the Merger, 2,504,817 shares will be deposited into an escrow account and will be available as the
sole recourse to satisfy
the post-closing indemnification obligations of the members of Deerfield. The Merger Agreement also permits Deerfield, prior to the
Merger, to distribute to its members up to approximately $6.0
million of cash (plus amounts for taxes relating to pre-closing periods, minus the amount of certain debt prepayments, if any, made
after the date of the Merger Agreement), and requires Deerfield to
distribute to its members 309,038 shares of DFR common stock owned by Deerfield. Upon the completion of the Merger, DFR will change
its name to Deerfield Capital Corp.
6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
to be held on , 2007
In order to fund the cash portion of the
consideration and our expenses associated with the Merger, we intend to incur $155.0 million of debt financing. At this Meeting, you will be asked
to consider and vote upon the following proposals to:
1.
approve the issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock to the members of Deerfield as part of the consideration for the
merger of Merger Sub with and into Deerfield pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, which will enable us to complete the Merger;
2.
re-elect Robert B. Machinist and Jonathan W. Trutter as Class III directors of DFR to serve on our Board for a three-year term
or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;
3.
ratify the appointment by our audit committee of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as DFRs independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007;
4.
approve an amendment to the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan to increase the shares of common stock reserved
for issuance under the plan from 2,692,313 to 6,136,725;
and
5.
act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the
Meeting. We are seeking your approval of
this issuance of our common stock because the New York Stock Exchange rules require that it be approved by our stockholders
representing a majority of the
votes cast on the proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares of
our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal), and because we
have made the approval of the stock issuance by our stockholders representing a majority of the votes cast on the proposal a
condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement. We have also made the approval of the stock issuance by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by
stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc a condition to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. After careful consideration, the
Special Committee unanimously determined that the Merger is in the best interests of DFR and its stockholders that are not also
beneficial owners of interests in
Deerfield and adopted the Merger Agreement. After careful consideration, including consideration of the unanimous recommendation of
the Special Committee, our Board (excluding those members
who abstained because of a material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our stockholders) has determined
that the Merger is in the best interests of DFR and its stockholders and
adopted the Merger Agreement and now recommends that you vote FOR approval of DFRs issuance of 9,635,192 shares of DFRs
common stock to the members of Deerfield in the Merger to
enable DFR to complete the Merger. In addition, our Board recommends that you vote FOR each other proposal to be voted on at the
Meeting. Your vote is important. You
should read the attached proxy statement and the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement carefully. Whether
or not you plan to attend the
Meeting, you are urged to complete, date and sign the enclosed proxy and return it to us promptly. You may revoke your proxy at any
time before it is voted by giving written notice to our
corporate secretary, by attending the Meeting and voting in person or by submitting a proxy dated a later date. Thank you very much for your
continued support. By order of the Board:
Frederick L. White Rosemont, Illinois
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
, 2007
Q:
Why did DFR send this proxy statement to me?
A:
We sent this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card to you because the Board is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares
at the Meeting. This proxy statement is designed to assist you
in voting and provides the information that we are required to provide to you under the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC. In particular, DFR has agreed to acquire
Deerfield under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A. You are encouraged to
carefully review the Merger Agreement.
For the acquisition to be completed, DFR stockholders must vote to approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in
connection with the Merger. We are seeking your approval of this
issuance of common stock because the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, require that it be approved by our
stockholders representing a majority of the votes cast on the
proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock
entitled to vote on the proposal), and because we have made
the approval of the stock issuance by our stockholders representing a majority of the votes cast on the proposal a condition to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement. We have also made the approval of the stock issuance by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by
stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc a
condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. We are also asking for your approval of
several other matters described in this proxy statement.
Q:
What will happen in the Merger?
A:
If the Merger is completed, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of DFR, will be merged with and into Deerfield and Deerfield
will continue as the surviving entity and become an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of DFR. DFR will be renamed Deerfield Capital Corp. After the Merger, we intend
to continue to maintain our election to be taxed as a REIT under
federal income tax laws and will hold our interests in Deerfield and DCM through domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, or
TRSs.
Q:
What consideration will DFR pay in the Merger?
A:
The aggregate consideration to be paid by DFR in connection with the Merger consists of $145 million in cash and 9,635,192
shares of DFR common stock. The cash portion of the aggregate
consideration is subject to various deductions, including an amount equal to the principal amount and accrued and unpaid
interest outstanding, if any, under a revolving note of Deerfield
immediately prior to the Merger, and an amount equal to the unpaid transaction expenses of Deerfield and Triarc (incurred on
behalf of all Deerfield members generally) immediately prior
to the Merger. The 9,635,192 shares of DFRs common stock to be issued in the Merger, will constitute
approximately % of the outstanding shares of DFRs common stock immediately
following completion of the Merger. This issuance will reduce your percentage ownership of our common stock. i
Of the
total of 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock to be issued in the Merger,
2,504,817 shares will be deposited into an escrow account and will be
available as the sole recourse to satisfy the post-closing indemnification
obligations of the members of Deerfield. The Merger Agreement also permits
Deerfield, prior to the Merger, to distribute to its members up to approximately
$6.0 million of cash (plus amounts for taxes relating to pre-closing
periods, minus the amount of certain debt prepayments, if any, made after
the date of the Merger Agreement), and requires Deerfield to distribute
to its members 309,038 shares of DFR common stock owned by Deerfield.
In order to fund the cash portion of the consideration
and our
expenses associated with the Merger, we and our subsidiaries intend to
incur $155.0 million of debt financing.
Q:
Why is DFR proposing the Merger?
A:
We believe that the proposed Merger provides us with an opportunity to (i) acquire an alternative asset manager that will both
significantly diversify our existing business and sources of
income and (ii) convert our current external management structure into an internally-managed structure. We believe the proposed
Merger will result in our becoming a more diversified
financial services company that generates both non-capital intensive fee-based revenue from DCMs alternative asset
management platform, as well as risk-adjusted spread-based income from
DFRs investment portfolio of mortgage assets and alternative fixed income investments. We believe the combination of the
highly scalable nature of DCMs asset advisory business and the
broader access that DCM may have to capital afforded by its acquisition by a public company will better position us to leverage
DCMs existing infrastructure and investment personnel to
launch new products and business lines. In addition, we believe the internalization of our manager that will result from the
Merger will enhance the efficiency of our cost structure. For these
and other reasons, we believe the proposed Merger will be accretive to our net income and earnings per share and, therefore,
will enhance stockholder value; however, these or any other
benefits may not be realized. See Proposal 1Reasons for the Proposed Merger and Risk
Factors.
Q:
What was the process used to determine the amount of the Merger consideration?
A:
The consideration payable to the members of Deerfield in connection with the Merger was determined following negotiations
between a special committee of our Board, or the Special
Committee, on the one hand, and Deerfield and Triarc, as the sellers representative, on the other hand, in consultation
with their respective legal and financial advisors. See
Proposal 1Background of the Proposed Merger. The members of the Special Committee have no material
financial interest in the Merger that differs from those of our other stockholders.
The Special Committee was authorized by our Board as it deemed appropriate, among other things, to:
review, consider and evaluate any proposals that may be made with respect to any business combination transaction involving the
acquisition by us of Deerfield or its business;
negotiate the terms and conditions of any such proposal (including price, form and structure) and of any and all agreements in
respect of such a transaction;
reject any proposal that may be made with respect to such a transaction;
make and publish recommendations to our Board and our stockholders in respect of any transaction or proposal with respect
thereto; and
select and retain, at our expense, such legal, financial and other advisors or agents to assist it in the performance of its
duties and the exercise of its powers.
The Special Committee determined that, in light of all of the factors that it considered, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the issuance
of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and payment of the cash portion of the Merger
consideration, are in our best interest and in the best interest of
our stockholders that are not also beneficial owners of interests in Deerfield. See Proposal 1Recommendations
of the Special Committee and the BoardSpecial Committee Recommendation;
Reasons for Recommendation.
Q:
When is the Meeting and where will it be held?
A:
The Meeting will be held on , 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings
Time, at .
ii
Q:
What may I vote on?
A:
You may vote on the following matters:
1.
approve the issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock to the members of Deerfield as part of the consideration for the
merger of Merger Sub with and into Deerfield
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, which will enable us to complete the Merger;
2.
re-elect Robert B. Machinist and Jonathan W. Trutter as Class III directors of DFR to serve on our Board for a three-year term
or until their successors have been duly elected
and qualified;
3.
ratify the appointment by our audit committee of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as DFRs independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007;
4.
approve an amendment to the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan to increase the shares of common stock reserved
for issuance under the plan from 2,692,313 to
6,136,725; and
5.
act upon such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the
Meeting.
Q:
How does the Board recommend I vote?
A:
The Board (excluding those members who abstained because of a material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that
of our stockholders) recommends a vote FOR the share
issuance proposal. The Board unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of the other proposals.
Q:
What risks should I consider in deciding whether to vote for the proposals?
A:
You should carefully review the section of this proxy statement entitled Risk Factors beginning on page 13 as well
as those risks discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2007, which are incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement.
Q:
Who is entitled to vote?
A:
Only those stockholders who owned DFR common stock at the close of business on the Record Date, which was , 2007, are entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Q:
How do I vote and how can I revoke my proxy?
A:
You may vote your shares either in person or by proxy. Stockholders may submit their votes by proxy by mail, using the enclosed
proxy card. For further instructions on voting, see your
enclosed proxy card in this proxy statement. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing how you
wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR each of the
proposals and at the Boards discretion on any other matters that properly come before the Meeting. You have the right to
revoke your proxy at any time before the Meeting by:
delivering written notice of such revocation to our Corporate Secretary before the Meeting; submitting a properly executed proxy bearing a
later date; or attending the Meeting and voting in
person.
If you hold your shares in street name (that is, through a broker or other nominee or intermediary), you may vote and revoke a
previous vote only by following the procedures established by
the broker or other nominee or intermediary.
You may provide written notice to our corporate secretary at Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., Attention: Corporate Secretary,
6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois 60018. iii
Q:
How many shares can vote?
A:
DFRs charter authorizes the issuance of up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. On the
Record Date, DFRs issued and outstanding stock consisted of shares of
common stock and no shares of preferred stock. Each holder of DFR common stock is entitled to one vote
for each share held on the Record Date.
Q:
What is a quorum?
A:
A quorum is a majority of the outstanding shares of DFR common stock. These shares may be present at the Meeting or
represented by proxy, and there must be a quorum for the
Meeting to be held. If you submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from voting, you will be considered part
of the quorum. Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes
cast but will be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum.
Q:
What vote is required?
A:
The vote required for each of the proposals is set forth below:
Share Issuance: This resolution requires the affirmative vote of: (i) a majority of the votes cast on the proposal
(provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a
majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal); and (ii) a majority of the votes cast
on the proposal by stockholders who are not affiliates
of Deerfield or Triarc.
Elections of Director Nominees: This resolution requires a plurality of the votes cast.
Ratification of Independent Auditors: This resolution requires the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast on the
proposal.
Increase in number of shares available for issuances under the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan: This
resolution requires the affirmative votes of the majority of
votes cast on the proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares
of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal).
Q:
What if I object to the proposed issuance of shares to complete the Merger? Do I have dissenters or appraisal
rights?
A:
If you object to the issuance of shares, which will enable the Merger, you should vote against this proposal. However, under
applicable Maryland law, DFR stockholders do not have
dissenters or appraisal rights in connection with the issuance of shares to complete the Merger or the other matters
being voted upon at the Meeting.
Q:
What happens if the Merger is not consummated?
A:
If DFR does not complete the Merger, we will continue to operate as an externally managed company. See Risk Factors
beginning on page 13 of this proxy statement for a description of
some of the risks associated with not completing the Merger.
Q:
When do you expect the Merger to be completed?
A:
Assuming all of the other conditions to completion of the Merger have been satisfied, including the approval of the share
issuance, we expect that the Merger will be consummated within
several business days following the Meeting.
For a description of the conditions to completion of the Merger. See Proposal 1Description of the Material
Agreements Relating to the MergerThe Merger AgreementConditions to the
Completion of the Merger. iv
Q:
If my shares of DFR common stock are held in street name by my broker, will my broker automatically vote my shares
for me?
A:
No, with respect to each proposal other than proposals that relate to the election of directors and the ratification of our
independent auditors, your broker will vote your shares only if you
provide instructions on how to vote. You should follow the directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your
broker to vote your shares.
Q:
Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies?
A:
We will pay the SEC a filing fee in connection with this proxy statement and we will pay expenses related to the printing and
mailing of this proxy statement. In addition to solicitation by
mail and, without additional compensation for such services, proxies may be solicited personally, or by telephone or telecopy,
by our directors or officers. We will bear the cost of soliciting
proxies and will pay approximately $ (plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket
expenses) to to assist with the solicitation of proxies. may solicit proxies by telephone or
other electronic means or in person. We also will reimburse for routine
out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this proxy solicitation, which expenses will include a charge of $ for each shareholder successfully contacted. We will also request that banking institutions, brokerage
firms, custodians, trustees, nominees, fiduciaries and other like parties forward the
solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of common stock held of record by such persons, and we will, upon request of
such record holders, reimburse forwarding charges and out-of-
pocket expenses. In addition, we will indemnify against any losses arising
out of the firms proxy soliciting services on our behalf.
If you have further questions, you may contact our proxy solicitor at the address or telephone number indicated
below.
Q:
Who can help answer my questions, and where can I get additional information about matters described in this proxy
statement?
A:
If you have questions about the matters described in this proxy statement, or how to submit your proxy or if you need
additional copies of the proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card or
voting instructions, you should contact , our proxy solicitor,
You may also obtain additional information about DFR from documents filed with the SEC. We file annual, quarterly and special
reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy such material at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. You may also obtain copies of such material from the SEC at
prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also find DFRs SEC filings at the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of this proxy statement and any
other reports or information that we file with the SEC, free of charge, by directing a request to Deerfield Triarc Capital
Corp., Attention: Investor Relations, 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor,
Rosemont, Illinois 60018. Our website is http://www.deerfieldtriarc.com. The information contained on our website is not
incorporated into this proxy statement.
at .
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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1
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2
2
3
3
4
7
7
7
8
8
8
9
9 Opinions of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors,
Inc.
10 Interests of Certain of Our Directors and Officers in the Merger
10
10
10
10
11
11
12
12 No
Dissenters or Appraisal Rights with Respect to the Merger
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12
12
12
12
13
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26
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28
28
29
30 Certain
Interests of Our Officers and Directors in Deerfield
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32
40
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44 i
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101
102
102
103
103
103
104
104
104
104
105
107 Relationships Between DCM and Directors Peltz, Sachs and Trutter
107
108
108
108
110
110
110
110 Power to
Issue Additional Shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock
111
111
113
113
113
113
114
114
114
114
F-1
A
B
C
D
E
F iii
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL
CORP. This proxy statement and the
accompanying form of proxy and Notice of Annual Meeting are provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of
Directors, or the Board, of
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation, for use at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or the Meeting. Unless
otherwise noted or the context otherwise requires, we refer to
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. as DFR, we, us, our, or our company, to
Deerfield & Company LLC and its subsidiaries as Deerfield, to Deerfield Capital Management LLC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Deerfield and our external manager as DCM or our manager, to Triarc Companies Inc. as
Triarc and to DFR Merger Company, LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, as
Merger Sub. Important Note No person is authorized to make any
representation with respect to the matters described in this proxy statement other than those contained, or incorporated by
reference, in this proxy statement
and, if given or made, such representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us, Deerfield or any other person
or entity. This proxy statement provides you with detailed
information about the proposals to be considered and voted upon at the Meeting. The information in this proxy statement is current
as of the date of this proxy statement. Stockholders are urged to
carefully review this proxy statement, including the accompanying annexes, which discuss each of the proposals to be voted upon at
the Meeting. You are encouraged to carefully review the section of
this proxy statement captioned Risk Factors beginning on page 13, which describes certain factors that should be
considered in evaluating the proposals to be considered and voted upon at the
Meeting. This proxy statement does not
constitute the solicitation of a proxy from any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such proxy solicitation. The
delivery of this proxy statement
shall not, under any circumstances, imply that there has not been any change in the information set forth herein since the date of
the proxy statement. Date, Time and Place of the
Meeting The Meeting will be held on , 2007 at , at
10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Mailing Address; Date of
Mailing The mailing address of our
principal executive office is 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois 60018. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of
proxy and Notice of Annual
Meeting are first being mailed to the stockholders on or about , 2007. Each outstanding share of our
common stock entitles its holder to one vote. Only our stockholders of record at the close of business on , 2007, or the Record Date, will be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the Record Date, there were shares of DFR common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Meeting and approximately holders of record. For your comfort and security,
admission to the Meeting will be by ticket only. You also must present
identification containing a photograph. If you are a registered stockholder (your shares are held in your name) and plan to
attend the Meeting, please check the appropriate
box on the enclosed proxy card. Your admission ticket can be
detached from the top portion of the proxy card. If you are a beneficial owner (your shares are held in street name by a bank, broker
or other nominee or 1
PROXY STATEMENT
intermediary) and plan to attend the Meeting, your admission ticket is the left
side of your voting information form. In addition, you can obtain an admission ticket in advance by writing to
Corporate Secretary, Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, and enclose proof of
ownership, such as a bank or brokerage account statement or a
letter from the bank or broker verifying such ownership. Stockholders who do not obtain tickets in advance may obtain them upon
verification of ownership at the registration desk on the day of the
Meeting. Tickets may be issued to others at our discretion. If you complete and properly sign
and return the accompanying proxy card, your shares will be voted as you specify, but if you do not specify a vote with respect to a
proposal, your shares will
be voted as the Board recommends with respect to the proposals. Under our bylaws, business
transacted at the Meeting is confined to the purposes stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting. The proxy being solicited does,
however, convey discretionary authority
to the persons named therein as proxies to vote on matters that are incidental to the conduct of the Meeting. You may revoke your proxy
by:
delivering written notice of such revocation to our Corporate Secretary before the Meeting; submitting a properly executed proxy bearing a
later date; or attending the Meeting and voting in
person. If you hold your shares in street
name (that is, through a broker or other nominee or intermediary), you may vote and revoke a previous vote only by following the
procedures established by the
broker or other nominee or intermediary. Votes Required for Approval of
Each Proposal Share Issuance. For the
proposal to issue 9,635,192 shares of our common stock in connection with the merger of Merger Sub with and into Deerfield, or the
Merger, you may vote in favor of
the proposal, against the proposal or abstain from voting. Under the NYSE rules and the Merger Agreement, if a quorum is present,
ratification of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of: (i) a
majority of the votes cast on the proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the
outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal);
and (ii) a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc. Election of Director Nominees.
For the election of the director nominees, you may vote in favor of some or all of the nominees or withhold your vote as to some
or all of the nominees. If a
quorum is present, then the nominees receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting will be elected directors. Ratification of Independent
Auditors. For the proposal to ratify the appointment of the independent auditors, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against
the proposal or abstain from voting. If
a quorum is present, ratification of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the
proposal. Increase in number of shares
available for issuance under the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan. For the proposal to increase the number of
shares available for issuance under
the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan, or the Stock Incentive Plan, you may vote in favor of the proposal,
against the proposal or abstain from voting. If a quorum is present,
ratification of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal (provided that the
total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding
shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal). Abstentions and Unspecified
Shares Held in Street Name Brokers holding shares for
beneficial owners must vote those shares according to the specific instructions they receive from the beneficial owners, unless the
brokers have been given discretionary
voting power by the beneficial owners. However, brokers or nominees holding shares 2
for a beneficial owner might not have discretionary voting power and might not
have received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. In such cases, a broker may not vote on a
proposal, which is known as a broker non-vote. Broker non-votes will not be
counted as votes cast but will be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. Assuming a quorum is present,
broker non-votes will thus have
no effect on proposals that require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Because the election of directors
and ratification of our independent auditors are routine matters for which specific instructions from beneficial owners will not be
required, no broker non-votes
will arise in the context of these proposals. The approval of other proposals is not considered routine, and broker non-votes may
arise in the context of these proposals. Share Issuance. For the
proposal to issue 9,635,192 shares of our common stock in connection with the Merger, abstentions and broker non-votes are not
considered votes cast and will not be
counted for or against the proposal, or towards the total votes cast on the proposal for the purposes of determining if the
necessary majority of outstanding shares has voted on the proposal. Election of Director Nominees.
You may not abstain from electing a nominee as a director. With respect to each nominee, you must vote for the election of the
nominee or withhold your vote. Votes withheld from the election of a director will have the effect of a vote AGAINST the director
nominee because a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting is required for the election of each
director. Ratification of Independent
Auditors. Abstentions are not considered votes cast and will not be counted for or against the proposal to ratify the appointment
of the independent auditors, but will
be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. Amendment to the Deerfield
Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan. For the proposal to amend the Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan, or
the Stock Incentive Plan, abstentions
and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast and will not be counted for or against the proposal, but will be counted for the
purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. A majority of the votes entitled to
be cast, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. At the close of business on
May , 2007, we had shares of common stock outstanding. The following documents are posted
on our Internet site: http://www.deerfieldtriarc.com (the information on which is not incorporated into this proxy statement),
and can also be obtained from us
by written request to Corporate Secretary, Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois
60018
Our Corporate Charter; Our Bylaws; The Charters of each of our standing Board
committees; Our Corporate Governance
Guidelines; Our Code of Business Conduct; and Our procedures for the submission and treatment
of concerns and complaints by interested persons. We have selected as our proxy solicitor. If you have questions, require assistance voting your shares or
need additional copies of proxy materials, you may call . The date of this proxy statement
is , 2007 3
Certain statements in this proxy
statement and the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement are forward-looking as defined by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These include statements as to such things as future capital expenditures, growth, business strategy and the benefits of
the Merger, including future financial and operating results, cost
savings, enhanced revenues and the accretion/dilution to reported earnings that may be realized from the Merger as well as other
statements of expectations regarding the Merger and the financing
transaction and any other statements regarding pro forma or future results or expectations. Forward looking statements can be
identified by forward looking language, including words such as
believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, intends, may,
plans, projects, will and similar expressions, or the negative of these words. Such
forward-looking statements are based on
facts and conditions as they exist at the time such statements are made as well as predictions as to future facts and conditions
the accurate prediction of which may be difficult and involve the
assessment of events beyond our or Deerfields control. The forward-looking statements are also based on various operating
assumptions. Caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking
statements. Due to known and unknown risks, actual results may differ materially from expectations or projections. We do not
undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement,
whether written or oral, relating to matters discussed in this proxy statement, except as otherwise required by federal securities
laws. The following factors, among
others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: Relating to the Merger:
our ability to integrate the businesses of DFR and Deerfield successfully and the amount of time and expense spent and incurred
in connection with the integration; the ability to realize the economic benefits
that we anticipate as a result of the Merger; the ability to obtain required governmental and
stockholder approvals required in connection with the Merger, and the ability to complete the Merger in the expected
timeframe; federal income tax liability as a result of
owning Deerfield and DCM through taxable REIT subsidiaries and the effect of our acquisition of Deerfield on our ability to continue
to qualify
as a REIT; the impact of owning Deerfield in connection
with our exclusion from the definition of investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; the limitations or restrictions imposed on
DCMs investment and management services as a result of our ownership of DCM; and the impact of the issuance of common stock in
connection with the Merger, which may include dilution of the ownership of our existing stockholders and depression of the market
price of
our common stock. Relating to the ongoing operation of DFR:
higher than expected prepayment rates on the mortgages underlying DFRs mortgage securities holdings; DFRs inability to obtain favorable
interest rates or margin terms on the financing that are needed to leverage DFRs mortgage securities and other
positions; increased rates of default on DFRs loan
portfolio (which risk rises as the portfolio seasons), and decreased recovery rates on defaulted loans; 4
flattening or inversion of the yield curve
(short term interest rates increasing at a greater rate than longer term rates), reducing DFRs net interest income on its
financed mortgage
securities positions; DFRs inability adequately to hedge its
holdings sensitive to changes in interest rates; narrowing of credit spreads, thus decreasing our
net interest income on future credit investments (such as bank loans); changes in REIT qualification requirements,
making it difficult for DFR to conduct its investment strategy; lack of availability of qualifying real
estate-related investments; DFRs inability to continue to issue
collateralized debt obligation vehicles (which can provide DFR with attractive financing for debt securities
investments); adverse changes in accounting principles, tax
law, or legal/regulatory requirements; competition with other REITs for the investments
with limited supply; changes in the general economy or debt markets
in which DFR invests; failure to comply with applicable laws and
regulations; limitations and restrictions contained in
instruments and agreements governing indebtedness and preferred stock; ability to raise additional capital and secure
additional financing; ability to retain key employees; liability resulting from actual or potential
future litigation; competition and the impact of competition;
and actions of domestic and foreign
governments. Relating to the ongoing operation of DCM:
significant reductions in DCMs client assets under management (which would reduce DCMs advisory fee revenue), due
to such factors as weak performance of its investment products
(either on an absolute basis or relative to its competitors or other investment strategies), substantial illiquidity or price
volatility in the fixed income instruments that DCM trades, loss of
key portfolio management or other personnel (or lack of availability of additional key personnel if needed for expansion),
reduced investor demand for the types of investment products
DCM offers, loss of investor confidence due to adverse publicity, and non-renewal or early termination of investment management
agreements; pricing pressure on the advisory fees that DCM
can charge for its investment advisory services; difficulty in increasing assets under
management, or efficiently managing existing assets, due to market-related constraints on trading capacity, inability to hire the
necessary additional
personnel or lack of potentially profitable trading opportunities; DCMs removal as investment advisor of one
or more of the collateral debt obligation vehicles (CDOs) or other accounts DCM manages, or the reduction in DCMs CDO management
fees because of payment defaults by issuers of the underlying collateral or the triggering of certain structural protections
built into CDOs; availability, terms (including changes in
interest rates) and effective deployment of capital; changes in legal or self-regulatory
requirements, including franchising laws, investment management regulations, accounting standards, environmental laws, overtime
rules, minimum wage
rates and taxation rates; 5
the costs, uncertainties and other effects of
legal, environmental and administrative proceedings; and the impact of general economic conditions on
consumer spending or securities investing, including a slower consumer economy and the effects of war or terrorist
activities. These and other factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are set forth in (i) Risk
Factors of this proxy statement,
(ii) Item 1A. Risk Factors of DFRs annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and
(iii) from time to time in DFRs other public filings with the SEC and public statements by DFR. Readers of this proxy
statement are cautioned to consider these risks and uncertainties and not to
place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. 6
You should rely only on the
information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement in deciding how to vote on the proposals to be
considered at the Meeting. We have
authorized no one to provide you with additional or different information. The following is a summary of information in this proxy
statement, particularly as it relates to the Merger. This summary may
not contain all of the information about the Merger or the other proposals that is important to you. For a complete description of
the Merger, we encourage you to read the Merger Agreement attached
as Annex A to this proxy statement. In addition, you are encouraged to read the information incorporated by reference into this
proxy statement, which includes important business and financial
information about us, which has been filed with the SEC. You may obtain this information without charge from us or from the SEC
through its website at http://www.sec.gov. Deerfield Triarc Capital
Corp. We are a diversified financial
company that invests in real estate investments, primarily mortgage-backed securities, as well as corporate investments. We are
externally managed by DCM, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Deerfield. We have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income
tax purposes, and intend to continue to operate so as to qualify as a
REIT. Our objective is to provide attractive returns to our investors through a combination of dividends and capital appreciation.
To achieve this objective, we intend to opportunistically invest in
financial assets to construct an investment portfolio that is leveraged where appropriate in order to achieve attractive
risk-adjusted returns and that is structured to allow us to maintain our
qualification as a REIT and the requirements for exclusion from regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or
1940 Act. Our targeted investments may be
categorized as follows:
Real Estate Investments
Corporate Investments
Residential mortgage-backed securities, or RMBS
Senior secured and unsecured loans
Commercial mortgage-backed securities, or CMBS
Mezzanine loans
Commercial real estate loans
High yield corporate bonds
Distressed and stressed debt securities
Equity securities
Credit default and total return swaps
Other investments In addition, we may invest
opportunistically in other fixed income investments, including investment grade corporate bonds and related derivatives, government
bonds and related derivatives and
other fixed income-related instruments. As noted above, we are externally
managed by DCM, a fixed income asset manager and a SEC registered investment adviser. DCM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deerfield.
Triarc owns a
majority interest in Deerfield. Assuming we complete the Merger, we will acquire DCM and become an internally managed
company. Deerfield is a holding company the
primary assets of which are all of the outstanding membership interests of DCM and capital stock of Deerfield Capital Management
(Europe) Limited, or
DCM (Europe). Deerfields principal executive offices are located at 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois 60018,
and the telephone number is (773) 380-1600. 7
Deerfield Capital Management
LLC DCM is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Deerfield and a Chicago-based, SEC registered asset manager that manages client funds (primarily for institutions) worldwide. DCM
(together with its
predecessor companies) commenced its investment management operations in 1993. As of May 1, 2007, DCM managed approximately $14.2
billion of client funds. Through our management
agreement with DCM, we have had access to its resources in portfolio management and infrastructure support, such as risk
management, credit analysis, operations, systems, accounting, portfolio
valuation, compliance and internal audit. As of May 1, 2007, DCM had 144 employees, including 47 portfolio managers and investment
analysts. Also, as of May 1, 2007, DCM had 33 full-time
investment professionals specializing in mortgage backed securities, or MBS, asset-backed securities, or ABS, loans and leveraged
finance, dedicating a significant part of their time to sourcing
(including performing due diligence) and managing the assets of our portfolio. DCMs investment professionals perform services
for other DCM accounts as well as ours. For the year ended
December 31, 2006 and three months ended March 31, 2007, 21.6% and 31.6% of DCMs revenues were derived from services provided
to us, respectively. DCM primarily invests in a broad
range of debt instruments in managing client portfolios. The primary investment focus is on MBS and other ABS, loans, corporate
bonds, leveraged finance
instruments and government securities. DCM has separate portfolio management teams for each of these areas. Deerfield primarily
utilizes fundamental credit analysis, duration management, yield
curve arbitrage and basis spread techniques in its investing. We are the only account that DCM
manages pursuant to the specific investment strategy it uses for us, although DCM uses some of the components of that strategy for
some of its other clients.
For example, in selecting bank loan investments for us, DCM uses the same or similar analysis that it uses in managing bank loan
portfolios for other clients. The Share Issuance Proposal;
Parties to the Merger At the Meeting, you will be asked
to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in order to complete the transaction
contemplated by the Merger
Agreement that we entered into on April 19, 2007 with Merger Sub, our wholly owned subsidiary, Deerfield, an entity in which Triarc
owns a controlling interest, and Triarc, as the sellers
representative. Since our inception, we have sought
to provide returns to our investors through a combination of dividends and capital appreciation on our real estate investments, which
are primarily in
mortgage-backed securities. These day-to-day operations historically have been managed by DCM, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Deerfield, under the supervision of the Board pursuant to the
management agreement with DCM. If the Merger is completed, Deerfield will become an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DFR. As a
result, our existing business will diversify significantly and
we will become internally managed. Following the Merger, we intend to continue to be taxed as a REIT and will hold our interests in
Deerfield and DCM through domestic taxable REIT
subsidiaries, or TRSs. Consideration to be Paid
in the Merger The aggregate consideration to be
paid by DFR in connection with the Merger consists of $145 million in cash and 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock. The cash portion
of the aggregate
consideration is subject to various deductions, including an amount equal to the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest
outstanding, if any, under a revolving note of Deerfield immediately
prior to the Merger and an amount equal to the unpaid transaction expenses of Deerfield and Triarc (incurred on behalf of all
Deerfield members generally) immediately prior to the Merger. The
9,635,192 shares of DFRs common stock to be issued in the Merger, will constitute approximately % of the outstanding shares of DFRs common stock immediately following completion of
the Merger. This issuance will reduce your percentage ownership of our common stock. 8
Of the total of 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock
to be issued in the Merger, 2,504,817 shares will be deposited into an escrow account and will be available as the sole recourse to
satisfy
the post-closing indemnification obligations of the members of Deerfield. The Merger Agreement also permits Deerfield, prior to the
Merger, to distribute to its members up to approximately $6.0
million of cash (plus amounts for taxes relating to pre-closing periods, minus the amount of certain debt prepayments, if any, made
after the date of the Merger Agreement), and requires Deerfield to
distribute to its members 309,038 shares of DFR common stock owned by Deerfield. In order to fund the cash portion of the
consideration and our expenses associated with the Merger, we and our
subsidiaries intend to incur $155.0 million of debt financing. Principal Reasons for the
Merger We believe that the proposed Merger
provides us with an opportunity to (i) acquire an alternative asset manager, which will both significantly diversify our existing
business and sources of
income and (ii) convert our current external management structure into an internally-managed structure. We believe the proposed
Merger will result in our becoming a more diversified financial
services company that generates both non-capital intensive fee-based revenue from DCMs alternative asset management platform,
as well as risk-adjusted spread-based income from DFRs investment
portfolio of mortgage assets and alternative fixed income investments. We believe the combination of the highly scalable nature of
DCMs asset advisory business and the broader access that DCM
may have to capital afforded by its acquisition by a public company will better position us to leverage DCMs existing
infrastructure and investment personnel to launch new products and business
lines. In addition, we believe the internalization of our manager that will result from the Merger will enhance the efficiency of
our cost structure. For these and other reasons, we believe the proposed
Merger will be accretive to our net income and earnings per share and, therefore, will enhance stockholder value; however, these or
any other benefits may not be realized. See Proposal 1Reasons
for the Proposed Merger and Risk Factors. Recommendation of Special
Committee and Board The Special Committee has
determined that, in light of all of the factors that it considered, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, including the issuance
of 9,635,192 shares our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, are fair to DFR and in our best interest and in the best
interest of our stockholders that are not also beneficial owners of
interests in Deerfield. Accordingly, the Special Committee has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the issuance of our
common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and it has
unanimously recommended that the Board approve the Merger Agreement and the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement and recommend that stockholders vote FOR the
proposed issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. After careful consideration,
including consideration of the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee and the opinions of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., or
Bear Stearns, and Houlihan Lokey
Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors, Inc., or Houlihan Lokey, our Board (excluding those members who abstained because of a
material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our
stockholders) has approved the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
including the issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement. The Board (excluding those members who abstained because of a material financial interest in the
Merger that differs from that of our stockholders) recommends
that stockholders vote FOR the proposed issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
See Proposal 1Recommendations of the Special Committee and the
Board. The Board also unanimously
recommends that you vote FOR each other proposal described in this proxy statement. 9
Opinions of Bear, Stearns &
Co. Inc. and Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors, Inc. In connection with the Merger, Bear
Stearns and Houlihan Lokey, the Special Committees financial advisors, each provided its opinion that, as of April 19, 2007,
based upon and subject to the
assumptions, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinions, the proposed cash and stock consideration
to be paid by us in the Merger, taken in the aggregate, was fair to
DFR, from a financial point of view. The full text of the written opinions of Bear Stearns and Houlihan Lokey, which describe,
among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed,
factors considered and limitations on the review undertaken, are attached as Annex B and Annex C to this proxy statement,
respectively, and are incorporated by reference into this document. You
are encouraged to read the opinions carefully in their entirety. Bear Stearns and Houlihan Lokey each provided its opinion to the
Special Committee to assist the Special Committee in evaluating,
from a financial point of view, the consideration provided for in the Merger Agreement. The opinions do not address any other
aspect of the Merger and do not constitute a recommendation as to
how you should vote in connection with the proposed issuance. Interests of Certain of Our
Directors and Officers in the Merger Three of our directors and certain
of our officers have a material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our stockholders because they or their
affiliates are members of
Deerfield and will receive a portion of the Merger consideration in exchange for their profits interests in Deerfield or, in the
case of Mr. Sachs, certain of his affiliates that are members of Deerfield
have the right under Deerfields existing operating agreement to require Triarc to purchase for cash all or a part of their
membership interests in Deerfield simultaneously with the completion of the
Merger. In addition, all of our officers and three of our directors are also directors, officers, employees or consultants of
Triarc and/or Deerfield or their respective affiliates, certain of whom may
benefit from early vesting of restricted stock awards. See Proposal 1Certain Interests of our Officers and Directors in
Deerfield. Our Management Following the
Merger On May 25, 2007, certain
affiliates of Mr. Sachs irrevocably exercised their right under Deerfields existing operating agreement to require Triarc to
purchase for cash all of their membership
interests in Deerfield simultaneously with the completion of the Merger. In connection with this exercise, Mr. Sachs has tendered
his resignation as a director and as chairman and chief executive
officer of Deerfield and its subsidiaries, effective upon completion of the Merger. It is anticipated, however, that Mr. Sachs will
remain as a director of DFR. With the exception of Mr. Sachs, we
expect substantially all of the key members of DCMs management team who are currently providing services to us will remain
employed by DCM following the Merger, and will continue to provide
services to us through a services agreement with DCM. We have granted rights to a
subsidiary of Triarc and, subject to their execution of the registration rights agreement, the other members of Deerfield who would
receive stock in connection with
the Merger, and to their permitted transferees, in respect of the registration of any shares of DFR common stock issued in exchange
for membership interests of Deerfield, which require us to
register those shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. See Proposal 1Description of
the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerThe Registration Rights
Agreement. We anticipate the completion of the
Merger will occur within several business days following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Merger set forth in the
Merger Agreement (other
than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the completion of the Merger), or on such 10
other date as we and Deerfield may mutually agree. See Proposal
1Description of the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerThe Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of
the
Merger. In the Merger Agreement, we have
agreed, subject to the Boards fiduciary duties and compliance with applicable laws, to cause an individual designated by Triarc
(as the sellers representative)
to be nominated as a Class I director for election to the Board for a three-year term at our annual stockholders meeting to
be held in 2008. The obligation of either party to
complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement,
including:
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended; and the approval of the issuance of 9,635,192 shares
of our common stock by the affirmative vote of our stockholders representing (i) a majority of the total votes cast on the proposal
(provided
that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote
on the proposal) and (ii) a majority of the total votes cast on the
proposal by stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc. The obligation of DFR to complete
the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by DFR, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement, including:
the receipt by DFR of debt financing for the aggregate cash consideration payable in the Merger and related fees and
expenses; the receipt by Deerfield of consents to the
assignment or deemed assignment of advisory contracts from clients constituting at least 80% of its assets under
management; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights of
affiliates of Mr. Sachs; and the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on Deerfield. The obligation of Deerfield to
complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Deerfield, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in
the Merger Agreement, including:
the resale shelf registration statement contemplated by the registration rights agreement having been declared effective by the
SEC; the delivery to Deerfield by DFRs special
tax counsel of a legal opinion as to DFRs continued qualification as a REIT following the completion of the
Merger; the elimination of Triarc from
DFRs corporate name; the authorization for listing by the NYSE of the
9,635,192 shares of our common stock to be issued upon the completion of the Merger; the exemption by DFR of certain Deerfield
members from certain stock ownership limitations; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights of
affiliates of Mr. Sachs and, should they be exercised, of another member of Deerfield; and the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on DFR. See Proposal
1Description of the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerConditions to the Completion of the Merger. 11
The Merger Agreement may be
terminated at any time before the closing, by mutual written consent of Deerfield and us, before or after approval of the share
issuance proposal by our
stockholders, or by either us or Deerfield under certain circumstances. Further, the Merger Agreement may be terminated by either
Deerfield or us after October 19, 2007 if the Merger has not
occurred by that date. See Proposal 1Description of the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerTermination of
the Merger Agreement. DFR and Deerfield must seek
regulatory consent to the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Further, the resale registration
statement contemplated by the
registration rights agreement must have been declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act. We will also need the approval
of the U.K. Financial Services Authority. See Proposal
1Description of the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerThe Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of
the Merger. No Dissenters or Appraisal
Rights with Respect to the Merger Under Maryland law, you will not be
entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Merger. See Proposal 1Dissenters or Appraisal
Rights. U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consideration The Merger will not result in the
recognition of taxable income by us or our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Because we will hold Deerfield and DCM
through domestic TRSs,
income from Deerfield and DCM will be fully subject to federal, state and local income tax. In addition, our ability to make future
investments in TRSs may be limited as a result of our ownership
of Deerfield and DCM. See Proposal 1Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Merger. In accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, DFR will account for the Merger using the purchase method of accounting. Under the
purchase method of
accounting, DFR will allocate the total estimated purchase price to Deerfields net tangible assets and identifiable
intangible assets based on their fair values as of the date of completion of the
Merger, and record the excess of the purchase price over those fair values as goodwill. DFR will incur amortization expense over
the useful lives of identifiable intangible assets acquired in
connection with the Merger. In addition, to the extent the value of goodwill or identifiable intangible assets becomes impaired,
DFR may be required to incur material charges relating to the
impairment of that asset. We and our subsidiaries will incur
substantial additional indebtedness to complete the Merger. We intend to enter into a senior secured term credit facility with UBS
Loan Finance LLC, UBS
Securities LLC, Bank of America, N.A. and Bank of America Securities LLC, providing for $155.0 million of financing to us and our
subsidiaries by a syndicate of lenders, including UBS Loan
Finance LLC and Bank of America, N.A. The amount borrowed under this credit facility is expected to be payable in full on a date
five years from the closing date. The proceeds of this
indebtedness will be used to pay the cash portion of the Merger consideration and DFRs Merger-related fees and expenses. See
Proposal 1Financing. There are a number of risks
associated with the Merger that you should consider before returning your proxy. See Risk Factors on page 13 of the proxy
statement. 12
The failure to fulfill all
conditions precedent to the Merger may prevent the consummation of the Merger, which would cause us to receive little or no benefit
from the substantial costs we have
incurred in connection with the Merger, or may lead to a change in the terms of the Merger Agreement that may be unfavorable to
us. The obligation of either party to
complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement,
including,
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended; and the approval of the issuance of 9,635,192 shares
of our common stock by the affirmative vote of our stockholders representing (i) a majority of the votes cast on the proposal
(provided that the
total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the
proposal); and (ii) a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by
stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc. The obligation of DFR to complete
the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by DFR, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement, including:
the receipt by DFR of debt financing for the aggregate cash consideration payable in the Merger and related fees and
expenses; the receipt by Deerfield of consents to the
assignment or deemed assignment of advisory contracts from clients constituting at least 80% of its assets under
management; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights of
affiliates of Mr. Sachs; and the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on Deerfield. The obligation of Deerfield to
complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Deerfield, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in
the Merger Agreement, including:
the resale shelf registration statement contemplated by the registration rights agreement having been declared effective by the
SEC; the delivery to Deerfield by DFRs special
tax counsel of a legal opinion as to DFRs continued qualification as a REIT following the completion of the
Merger; the elimination of Triarc from
DFRs corporate name; the authorization for listing by the NYSE of the
9,635,192 shares of our common stock to be issued upon the completion of the Merger; the exemption by DFR of certain Deerfield
members from certain stock ownership limitations; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights of
affiliates of Mr. Sachs and, should they be exercised, of another member of Deerfield; and the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on DFR. If one or more of these conditions
to the completion of the Merger are not met, then the party to the Merger Agreement entitled to the benefit of such condition may
elect not to proceed with
the Merger or may instead waive any or all conditions precedent. Accordingly, the Merger may not be consummated or, if consummated,
the final terms of the Merger may be less favorable to us
than the terms in the current version of the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. See Proposal
1Description of the Material Agreements Relating to the MergerThe
Merger AgreementConditions to the Completion of the Merger. Our existing stockholders may be substantially
diluted by the issuance of shares of our common stock in the Merger and this issuance may depress the market price of our common
stock. In determining whether to vote in
favor of the issuance of approximately 9,635,192 shares of our common stock to enable us to complete the Merger, our stockholders
should consider that they
are 13
subject to the risk of substantial dilution of their interests which will
result from the issuance of such shares, and that as a result of this issuance, Deerfields members will receive approximately
% of our outstanding common stock as of , 2007. Accordingly, our current stockholders ownership interest would decrease by
approximately %. This economic ownership
dilution could reduce the market price of our common stock unless and until we realize improved economic performance as a result of
the Merger. If we do not achieve the economic benefits of the
Merger that we seek, our stockholders could suffer substantial dilution without corresponding value. We have always been externally managed and we
may not be able to successfully transition to an internally managed company. We have always been externally
managed and have not had our own management personnel. With the exception of Mr. Sachs, we expect substantially all of the key
members of DCMs
management team who are currently providing services to us will remain employed by DCM following the Merger, and will continue to
provide services to us through a services agreement with
DCM. Following the Merger these individuals will be employees of DCM, our subsidiary following the Merger, or us, and we will be
responsible for designing and implementing our own
compensation structure. We may not be successful when designing and implementing our own compensation structure and our management
team may not be satisfied with the new arrangement. If we
do not successfully transition to an internally managed company and otherwise successfully integrate Deerfields operations,
our operations and financial performance could be significantly damaged. The pro forma financial statements presented
for illustrative purposes may not be indicative of our financial condition or results of operations following the
Merger. The pro forma financial statements
contained in this proxy statement are presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of our financial condition
or results of operations
following the Merger for several reasons. The pro forma financial statements have been derived from the financial statements of DFR
and Deerfield and certain adjustments and assumptions have
been made regarding our acquisition of Deerfield after giving effect to the Merger. The information upon which these adjustments
and assumptions have been made is preliminary, and these kinds of
adjustments and assumptions are difficult to make with complete accuracy. We may not uncover all risks associated with
acquiring Deerfield and significant liabilities may arise after completion of the Merger. There may be risks that we fail or
are unable to discover in the course of performing our due diligence in connection with the completion of the acquisition. All of
Deerfields liabilities will
remain intact after the Merger, whether pre-existing or contingent, as a matter of law. While we have tried to minimize this risk
by conducting due diligence, there could be numerous liabilities that
we failed to identify. Any significant liability that may arise or be discovered after the closing may harm our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects. Further, any rights to
indemnification we have are subject to a one-year survival period and other limitations, and the shares held in escrow could be
insufficient to satisfy any claims we may have. The opinions obtained by us from our financial
advisors do not address the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger consideration at any time other than April 19,
2007 and will not
reflect changes in circumstances prior to the closing date of the Merger. On April 19, 2007, Bear Stearns
delivered to the Special Committee its opinion that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth
in the written opinion, the consideration to be paid by DFR was fair, from a financial point of view, to DFR. Further, on April 19,
2007, Houlihan Lokey delivered to the Special Committee its
opinion that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the
written opinion, the consideration to be paid by DFR was fair, from a
financial point of view, to DFR. 14
Our stockholders should be aware that the opinions
are directed to the Special Committee, not our stockholders, that they contain numerous assumptions and conditions that should be
reviewed
carefully and that the financial opinions do not address the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger consideration
at any time other than at April 19, 2007. Our stockholders should also
be aware that the opinions did not reflect changes after April 19, 2007 that may occur or may have occurred to the operations,
businesses, financial condition or prospects of us or Deerfield, general
market and economic conditions, and other factors. If the Merger is not completed, we will have
nonetheless incurred substantial costs, and our financial results and operations and the market price of our common stock may be
adversely affected. We have incurred and expect to
continue to incur substantial costs in connection with the Merger. These costs are primarily associated with the fees of financial
advisors, attorneys, accountants
and consultants. In addition, we have diverted significant management resources in an effort to complete the Merger. If the Merger
is not completed, we will receive little or no benefit from these
costs. In addition, if the Merger is not completed, we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and others.
Each of these factors may adversely affect the trading price of our
common stock and our financial results and operations. We will need to incur substantial indebtedness
to consummate the Merger and our leverage could adversely affect our financial health. As of March 31, 2007, our total
long-term outstanding debt on a consolidated basis was approximately $972.2 million. In order to complete the Merger, we plan to
incur an additional $155.0
million of indebtedness, and will also assume debt of Deerfield outstanding as of March 31, 2007 in the amount of $3.6 million. Our
indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and
business and future operations by, among other things:
making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations, including with respect to our indebtedness; increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic
and industry conditions; limiting our ability to obtain any additional
financing we may need to operate, develop and expand our business; requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion
of any cash flows to service our debt, which reduces our funds available for operations and future business
opportunities; potentially making us more highly leveraged than
our competitors, which could potentially decrease our ability to compete in our industry; increasing our exposure to risks of interest
rate fluctuations as some of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest; and limiting our flexibility in planning for, or
reacting to, changes in our business, and the industry in which we operate. Our ability to make payments on our
debt will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to general economic and competitive conditions and to
financial, business and
other factors, many of which we cannot control. If the cash flows from our operations are insufficient to service our debt
obligations, we may take actions, such as delaying or reducing capital
expenditures, attempting to restructure or refinance our debt, selling assets or operations or seeking additional equity capital.
Any or all of these actions may not be sufficient to allow us to service
our debt obligations. Further, we may be unable to take any of these actions on satisfactory terms, in a timely manner or at all.
Our failure to generate sufficient funds to pay our debts or to
successfully undertake any of these actions could, among other things, materially adversely affect the market value of our common
stock and our ability to repay our obligations under our
indebtedness. 15
We anticipate that the terms of our proposed
senior secured term loan facility that we will obtain to assist with the funding of the cash portion of the Merger consideration will
impose operating
and financial restrictions, which may prevent us from raising additional capital and capitalizing on certain business
opportunities. We expect that the terms of our new
credit facility that we will enter into in connection with the Merger will require us to comply with certain financial covenants,
including a maximum senior
leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum tangible net worth. The proposed terms of our new credit facility
also include certain covenants restricting or limiting our ability to,
among other things:
dispose of non-financial assets other than in the ordinary course of business; merge or consolidate with any entity or make an
acquisition; declare dividends (subject to maintaining our
status as a REIT) or redeem or repurchase capital stock or make other shareholder distributions; prepay, redeem or purchase certain
debt; make loans to or invest in certain
subsidiaries; create additional liens; enter into transactions with
affiliates; modify or waive our organizational documents;
or change our fiscal year. These covenants may adversely
affect our ability to finance future operations or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities or take certain
corporate actions. The covenants may also
restrict our flexibility in planning for changes in our business and the industry and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns
and adverse developments. The documentation governing the
credit facility has not been finalized and, accordingly, the actual terms may further restrict our operation of our
business. Following completion of the Merger, our
performance will be subject to significant risks that are associated with DCMs business to which we have not historically been
subject. Historically we have been a
financial company that invests primarily in mortgage-backed securities and other real estate investments, as well as corporate
investments. We generate risk-adjusted
spread-based income from our investment portfolio. DCM is SEC-registered asset manager that, as of May 1, 2007, managed
approximately $14.2 billion of client funds. DCM generates fee-based
revenue from the management of these client funds. Accordingly, while the completion of the Merger would significantly diversify
our business, it will also subject us to significant new risks and
uncertainties associated with DCMs business to which we have not historically been subject, which are described in this proxy
statement. The income from Deerfield and DCM will be
subject to federal, state and local income tax, and our ownership of Deerfield and DCM may jeopardize our REIT qualification and may
limit our
ability to conduct our investment strategy. Deerfields income consists
solely of the income earned by DCM, which consists primarily of advisory fee income. That advisory fee income is not qualifying
income for purposes of either the
75% or 95% gross income test applicable to REITs. A REIT, however, may own stock and securities in one or more TRSs that may earn
income that would not be qualifying income if earned
directly by the parent REIT. Consequently, following the Merger, we will hold our ownership interest in Deerfield and DCM through
domestic TRSs. Overall, no more than 20% of the value of a
REITs assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. A TRS pays federal, state and local income tax at
regular corporate rates on any income it earns. In addition, the TRS rules
limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate
level of corporate taxation. The rules also impose a 100% excise 16
tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not
conducted on an arms-length basis. Because we will hold our ownership
interest in Deerfield and DCM through domestic TRSs, the income earned by Deerfield and DCM will be fully subject to federal, state
and local income tax.
Moreover, the value of our investment in the stock and securities of our TRSs may not, in the aggregate, exceed 20% of the value of
our total assets. In addition, our income from our TRSs,
combined with our other nonqualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, may not exceed 25% of our gross income on
an annual basis. Accordingly, our ownership of Deerfield and
DCM may limit our ability to invest in other TRSs and other assets that produce nonqualifying income, even though such investments
would otherwise have been in accordance with our investment
strategy. DCMs revenues fluctuate based on the
amount and/or value of client assets, which could decrease for various reasons including investment losses, withdrawal of capital, or
both. DCMs success depends on its
ability to earn investment advisory fees from the client accounts it manages. Such fees generally consist of payments based on the
amount of assets in the account
(management fees), and on the profits earned by the account or the returns to certain investors in the accounts (performance fees).
If there is a reduction in an accounts assets, there will be a
corresponding reduction in DCMs management fees from the account, and a likely reduction in DCMs performance fees (if
any) relating to the account, since the smaller the accounts asset base
the smaller will be the potential profits earned by the account. There could be a reduction in an accounts assets as the
result of investment losses in the account, the withdrawal by investors of their
capital in the account, or both. Investors in the accounts managed
by DCM have various types of withdrawal rights, ranging from the right of investors in separate accounts to withdraw any or all of
their capital on a daily
basis, the right of investors in hedge funds to withdraw their capital on a monthly or quarterly basis, and the right of investors
in CDOs to terminate the CDO in specified situations. Investors in
hedge funds and managed accounts might withdraw capital for many reasons, including their dissatisfaction with the accounts
performance, adverse publicity regarding DCM, DCMs loss of key
personnel, errors in reporting to investors account values or account performance, other matters resulting from problems in
DCMs systems technology, investors desire to invest their capital
elsewhere, and their need (in the case of investors that are themselves investment funds) for the capital to fund withdrawals by
their investors. DCM could experience a major loss of account assets,
and thus advisory fee revenue, at any time. Poor investment performance could lead to a
loss of clients and a decline in DCMs revenues. Investment performance is a key
factor for the retention of client assets, the growth of DCMs assets under management and the generation of management fee
revenue. Poor investment
performance could impair DCMs revenues and growth because:
existing clients might withdraw funds in favor of better performing products, which would result in lower investment management
fees for DCM; DCMs subordinate management fees for a CDO
may be deferred; DCMs ability to attract funds from
existing and new clients might diminish; and DCM might earn minimal or no performance
fees. The failure of DCMs
investment products to perform well both on an absolute basis and in relation to competing products, therefore, could have a material
adverse effect on DCMs business. DCM derives much of its revenues from
contracts that may be terminated on short notice. DCM derives a substantial portion
of its revenues from investment management agreements with accounts that generally have the right to remove DCM as the investment
advisor of the account
and replace it with a substitute investment advisor. Some of these investment management 17
agreements may be terminated for various reasons, including failure to follow
the accounts investment guidelines, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and gross negligence, or, alternatively, may not be
renewed. With respect to DCMs
agreements with some of the CDOs it manages, DCM can be removed without cause by investors that hold a specified amount of the
securities issued by the CDO. All of
DCMs agreements with CDOs allow investors that hold a specified amount of securities issued by the CDO to remove DCM for
cause, which typically includes DCMs violation of the
management agreement or the CDOs indenture, DCMs breach of its representations and warranties under the agreement,
DCMs bankruptcy or insolvency, DCMs fraud or a criminal offense by
DCM or its employees, and the failure of certain of the CDOs performance tests. These cause provisions may be
triggered from time to time with respect to our CDOs, and as a result DCM could
be removed as the investment manager of such CDOs. Although DCM is expected to remain
as the investment advisor for each of its clients, the Merger, if consummated, will constitute a change of control of DCM and thus
result in a deemed
assignment of DCMs advisory contracts under the Investment Advisers Act. In addition, certain of DCMs advisory
contracts require the explicit consent of the client, the underlying investors in the
client, or other third parties to the assignment of the advisory contract that results from the Merger. As the Merger Agreement
requires that DCM obtain consents to the assignment or deemed
assignment of advisory contracts from clients constituting at least 80% of its assets under management, we could be obligated to
complete the Merger even if clients constituting up to 20% of DCMs
assets under management determine not to consent to the assignment or deemed assignment of the advisory contracts. Under such
circumstances, we may lose a portion of DCMs expected advisory
fees, which we may not be able to replace. DCM could lose client assets as the result of
the loss of key DCM personnel. DCM generally assigns the
management of its investment products to specific teams, consisting of DCM portfolio management and other personnel. The loss of a
particular member or members
of such a teamfor example, because of resignation or retirementcould cause investors in the product to withdraw, to the
extent they have withdrawal rights, all or a portion of their investment in the
product, and adversely affect the marketing of the product to new investors and the products performance. In the case of
certain CDOs, DCM can be removed as investment advisor upon its loss of
specified key employees. In the case of certain other accounts, investors have the right to immediately redeem their investments
upon DCMs loss of specified key employees. In addition to the loss
of specific portfolio management team members, the loss of one or more members of DCMs senior management involved in
supervising the portfolio teams could have similar adverse effects on
DCMs investment products. In connection with the exercise by certain affiliates of Mr. Sachs of their right under
Deerfields existing operating agreement to require Triarc to purchase for cash all of
their membership interests in Deerfield simultaneously with the completion of the Merger, on May 25, 2007, Mr. Sachs tendered
his resignation as a director and as chairman and chief executive
officer of Deerfield and its subsidiaries, effective upon completion of the Merger. The Merger might cause DCM to lose one or more
other key employees, which may result in the loss of existing
clients. DCM may need to offer new investment
strategies and products in order to continue to generate revenue. The segments of the asset
management industry in which DCM operates are subject to rapid change. Investment strategies and products that had historically been
attractive to investors may lose
their appeal for various reasons. Thus, strategies and products that have generated fee revenue for DCM in the past may fail to do
so in the future. In such case, DCM would have to develop new
strategies and products in order to retain investors or replace withdrawing investors with new investors. It could be both expensive and
difficult for DCM to develop new strategies and products, and DCM may not be successful in this regard. In addition, alternative
asset management products 18
represent a substantially smaller segment of the overall asset management
industry than traditional asset management products (such as many corporate bond funds). DCMs inability to expand its
offerings beyond alternative asset management products could inhibit its growth and harm its competitive position in the investment
management industry. Changes in the fixed income markets could
adversely affect DCM. DCMs success depends largely
on the attractiveness to institutional investors of investing in the fixed income markets, and changes in those markets could
significantly reduce the appeal of
DCMs investment products to such investors. Such changes could include increased volatility in the prices of fixed income
instruments, periods of illiquidity in the fixed income trading markets,
changes in the taxation of fixed income instruments, significant changes in the spreads in the fixed income markets
(the amount by which the yields on particular fixed income instruments exceed
the yields on benchmark U.S. Treasury securities), and the lack of arbitrage opportunities between U.S. Treasury securities and
their related instruments (such as interest rate swap and futures
contracts). The fixed income markets can be
highly volatile, and the prices of fixed income instruments may fluctuate for many reasons beyond DCMs control or ability to
anticipate, including economic
and political events and terrorism acts. Any adverse changes in the fixed income markets could reduce DCMs
revenues. The narrowing of CDO spreads could make it
difficult for DCM to launch new CDOs. It is important for DCM to be able
to launch new CDO products from time to time, both to expand its CDO activities (which are a major part of DCMs business) and
to replace existing CDOs
as they are terminated or mature. The ability to launch new CDOs is dependent on the amount by which the interest earned on the
collateral held by the CDO (such as bank loans or asset-backed
securities) exceeds the interest payable by the CDO on the debt obligations it issues to investors, as well as other factors. If
these spreads are not wide enough, the proposed CDO will not be
attractive to investors and thus cannot be launched. There may be sustained periods when such spreads will not be sufficient for
DCM to launch new CDO products, which could impair DCMs
business. DCM could lose client assets as the result of
adverse publicity. Asset managers such as DCM can be
particularly vulnerable to losing clients because of adverse publicity. Asset managers are generally regarded as fiduciaries, and if
they fail to adhere at all
times to a high level of honesty, fair dealing and professionalism they can incur large and rapid losses of client assets.
Accordingly, a relatively small perceived lapse in this regard, particularly if it
resulted in a regulatory investigation or enforcement proceeding, could materially harm DCMs business. DCM could incur losses due to trading
errors. DCM could make errors in placing
transaction orders for client accounts, such as purchasing a security for an account whose investment guidelines prohibit the account
from holding the security,
purchasing an unintended amount of the security, or placing a buy order when DCM intended to place a sell order. If the transaction
resulted in a loss for the account, DCM might be required to
reimburse the account for the loss, or DCM might choose to do so for client relations purposes. Such reimbursements could be
substantial. DCM could lose management fee income from its
CDOs because of payment defaults by issuers of collateral held by the CDOs or the triggering of certain structural protections built
into CDOs. Under the investment management
agreements between DCM and the CDOs it manages, DCMs management fee from the CDO is generally subject to a
waterfall structure, under which
DCM will not receive all or a portion of its fees if, among other things, the CDO does not have sufficient cash flows from its
underlying collateral (such as bank loans or asset-backed securities) to 19
pay the required interest on the notes it has issued to investors and certain
expenses. This could occur if there are defaults by issuers of the collateral on their payments of principal or interest
relating to the collateral. In that event, DCMs management fees would be deferred until funds are available to pay the fees,
if such funds become available. In addition, many CDOs have structural
provisions meant to protect investors from deterioration in the credit quality of the underlying collateral pool. If those
provisions are triggered, then certain portions of DCMs management fees may
be deferred indefinitely. DCM may be unable to increase its assets under
management in certain of its investment vehicles, or it may have to reduce such assets, because of capacity
constraints. Some of DCMs investment
vehicles are limited in the amount of client assets they can accommodate by the amount of liquidity in the instruments traded by the
vehicles, the arbitrage
opportunities available in those instruments, or other factors. DCM may thus manage investment vehicles that are relatively
successful but that cannot accept additional capital because of such
constraints. In addition, DCM might have to reduce the amount of assets managed in investment vehicles that face capacity
constraints. Changes in the fixed income markets could materially reduce
capacity, such as an increase in the number of asset managers using the same or similar strategies as DCM. The fixed income investment management market
is highly competitive and DCM may lose client assets due to competition from other asset managers that have greater resources than
DCM or that
are able to offer services and products at more competitive prices. The alternative asset management
industry is very competitive. Many firms offer similar and additional investment management products and services to the same types
of clients that DCM
targets. DCM currently focuses almost exclusively on fixed income securities and related financial instruments in managing client
accounts. It has limited experience in equity securities. This is in
contrast to numerous other asset managers with comparable assets under management, which have significant background and experience
in both the equity and debt markets and thus are more
diversified. In addition, many of DCMs
competitors have or may in the future develop greater financial and other resources, more extensive distribution capabilities, more
effective marketing strategies,
more attractive investment vehicle structures and broader name recognition. DCMs competitors may be able to use these
resources and capabilities to place DCM at a competitive disadvantage in
retaining assets under management and adding new assets. Also, DCM may be at a disadvantage in competing with other asset managers
that are subject to less regulation and are thus less restricted
in their client solicitation and portfolio management activities, and DCM may be competing for non-U.S. clients with asset managers
that are based in the jurisdiction of the prospective clients
domicile. Because barriers to entry into the
alternative asset management business are relatively low, DCM may face increased competition from many new entrants into DCMs
relatively limited market
of providing fixed income asset management services to institutional clients. Additionally, if other asset
managers offer services and products at more competitive prices than DCM, DCM may not be able to maintain its current fee structure.
Although DCMs investment
management fees vary somewhat from product to product, historically DCM has competed primarily on the performance of its products
and not on the level of its investment management fees
relative to those of its competitors. In recent years, however, despite the fact that alternative asset managers typically charge
higher fees than traditional managers, particularly with respect to hedge
funds and similar products, there has been a trend toward lower fees in the investment management industry generally. In order to maintain its fee
structure in a competitive environment, DCM must be able to continue to provide clients with investment returns and service that make
investors willing to pay
DCMs fees. DCM might not succeed in providing investment returns and service that will allow it 20
to maintain its current fee structure. Fee reductions on existing or future
business could impair DCMs profit margins and results of operations. Changes in laws, regulations or government
policies affecting DCMs businesses could limit its revenues, increase its costs of doing business and materially and adversely
affect its business. DCMs business is subject to
extensive government regulation. This regulation is primarily at the federal level, through regulation by the SEC under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended, and regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended. DCM is
also regulated by state regulators. The Investment Advisers Act imposes
numerous obligations on investment advisers including anti-fraud prohibitions, advertising and custody requirements, disclosure
obligations, compliance
program duties and trading restrictions. The CFTC regulates commodity futures and option markets and imposes numerous obligations
on the industry. DCM is registered with the CFTC as both a
commodity trading advisor and a commodity pool operator and certain of its employees are registered with the CFTC as
associated persons. DCM is also a member of the National Futures
Association, the self-regulatory organization for the U.S. commodity futures industry, and thus subject to its
regulations. If DCM fails to comply with
applicable laws or regulations, DCM could be subject to fines, censure, suspensions of personnel or other sanctions, including
revocation of its registration as an
investment adviser, commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator. Changes in laws, regulations or government policies could
limit DCMs revenues, increase its costs of doing business and
materially harm its business. DCM (Europe), a subsidiary of
Deerfield, is subject to extensive government regulation, primarily by the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority under the U.K.
Financial Services and
Markets Act of 2000. Such regulation is generally similar to the regulation governing DCM. The non-U.S. domiciled investment
funds that DCM manages are regulated in the jurisdiction of their domicile. Changes in the laws or government policies of these
foreign jurisdictions could
limit DCMs revenues from these funds, increase DCMs costs of doing business in these jurisdictions and materially
adversely affect DCMs business. The level of investor participation
in DCMs products may also be affected by the regulatory and self-regulatory requirements and restrictions applicable to
DCMs products and investors, the
financial reporting requirements imposed on DCMs investors and financial intermediaries, and the tax treatment of DCMs
products. Adverse changes in any of these areas may result in a loss of
existing investors or difficulties in attracting new investors. DCMs business may be harmed by it
becoming a subsidiary of a REIT. DCMs status as a subsidiary
of a REIT may make it difficult for DCM to retain existing clients, including the underlying investors in the investment funds DCM
manages, and to attract new
clients. Such clients may determine that DCM has an incentive to favor its management of our investing over DCMs investing
for those clients, particularly if the client account is likely to compete
with us, for example with regard to the allocation of scarce investment opportunities. While we cannot predict the effect on
DCMs business that will result from DCM becoming a wholly-owned
subsidiary of a REIT, the completion of the Merger could have an adverse effect on DCMs existing and future client
relationships and its business and revenues. Our ownership of Deerfield might jeopardize
our 1940 Act exemption or limit our ability to conduct our investment strategy and thus reduce our earnings and ability to pay
dividends. In order to be exempt from
regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or 1940 Act, weand each of our subsidiariesmust qualify for one of
the exemptions from investment company
status in the 1940 Act. Our ownership of Deerfield will be held through our subsidiary Deerfield Triarc Capital LLC, or DTC LLC,
which relies on an exemption from investment 21
company status that generally requires it to maintain at least 55% of its
assets in specified real estate assets and at least 80% of its assets in real estate and real-estate related securities. DTC
LLCs
ownership interest in Deerfield will not constitute such a security, and thus may make it more difficult for DTC LLC to comply with
the 80% asset test. As a result, we will need to monitor carefully
DTC LLCs compliance with the 80% asset test, and the Merger may make it difficult for DTC LLC to acquire other assets that do
not qualify for the 80% test, which might generate higher returns
than Deerfield. If DTC LLC fails to meet the 80% asset test, we could be required to materially restructure our activities and to
register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, which could
impair our operating results. Our status as a proprietary account of DCM
might restrict DCMs management of our investing. For regulatory purposes, we are
likely to be considered a proprietary account of DCM after the Merger. This may restrict DCMs management of our
account, for example with regard to
crossing transactions between our account and the account of a non-proprietary DCM client. DCM may not be successful in
managing these restrictions after the completion of the Merger. 22
HISTORIC AND PRO FORMA
CAPITALIZATION The following table sets forth the
capitalization of DFR and Deerfield as of March 31, 2007, and the pro forma capitalization of our company after giving effect to the
Merger and the financing
incurred in connection therewith. This table should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial information, including the notes thereto, the DFR and
Deerfield audited and unaudited historical financial statements, including the notes thereto, and Information Relating to
DFRDFRs Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations and Information Relating to DeerfieldDeerfields Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in each case, included
elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. The unaudited pro forma
capitalization is not necessarily indicative of the capitalization of our company following the Merger that would have occurred had
the Merger and the financing
incurred in connection therewith occurred on the date indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of future capitalization. The
unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon information set forth in
this proxy statement, and certain assumptions included in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements. The pro forma capitalization
reflects DFR as the accounting acquirer, with the Merger reflected as an acquisition and, accordingly, goodwill is recorded in
conjunction with the shares issued by
DFR to the members of Deerfield. The table below assumes a purchase price of $301.3 million for accounting purposes, based on the
issuance of 9,635,192 shares at $16.23, the average closing price
of our common stock on April 18, 19, 20, 23 and 24, 2007, and a cash payment of $145.0 million. There are certain other transaction
related costs and allocations also included in this table. The pro
forma information discussed below is preliminary and for illustrative purposes only.
As of March 31, 2007
Historical
Adjustments
Pro Forma
(unaudited) (in
thousands) Long-term
debt: Revolving warehouse
funding facility
$
284,750
$
$
284,750 Market
Square
276,000
276,000 Pinetree
287,738
287,738 Trust preferred
securities
123,717
123,717 Term loan
155,000
155,000 Total long-term
debt
972,205
155,000
1,127,205 Stockholders
equity: Preferred
stock
Common
stock
51
96
147 Additional paid-in
capital
748,837
155,355
904,192 Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(65,414
)
(65,414
) Treasury
stock
(1,957
)
(1,957
) Retained
earnings
9,785
(548
)
9,237 Total stockholders
equity
693,259
152,946
846,205 Total
capitalization
$
1,665,464
$
307,946
$
1,973,410 23
COMPARATIVE
PER SHARE MARKET PRICE DATA AND DIVIDEND POLICY Our common stock has been trading
on the NYSE under the trading symbol DFR since our initial public offering on June 29, 2005. As of May 14, 2007, DFR had
51,732,066 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding and there were approximately 35 holders of record. The following table sets forth, for
the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices of our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange:
Closing Stock Price
Cash
High
Low 2005: 1st quarter
*
*
$
0.225 2nd quarter
$
16.00
$
15.69
$
0.350 3rd quarter
$
15.95
$
12.98
$
0.300
(1) 4th quarter
$
14.21
$
12.58
$
0.350 2006: 1st quarter
$
13.89
$
12.84
$
0.360
(1) 2nd quarter
$
13.59
$
12.68
$
0.380
(1) 3rd quarter
$
13.62
$
12.79
$
0.400
(1) 4th quarter
$
17.11
$
13.11
$
0.420 2007: 1st quarter
$
17.03
$
14.07
$
0.420
(1) 2nd quarter (through May 14,
2007)
$
17.00
$
14.67
$
*
To our knowledge, no trades of our common stock occurred on PORTAL (SM) Market, or PORTAL, during this period.
Cash dividends declared per share were declared in the following quarter for the quarter presented.
Prior to our June 29, 2005 initial
public offering, there had been no public trading market for our common stock, but the shares of our common stock issued to qualified
institutional buyers in
connection with our December 2004 private offering were eligible for trading in PORTAL, a subsidiary of the NASDAQ Stock Market,
Inc., that permits secondary sales of eligible unregistered
securities to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The information above regarding
PORTAL prices may not be complete because we have access only to information regarding trades reported by our initial purchaser and
placement agent and
not trades reported by other broker-dealers. Moreover, broker-dealers are not required to report all trades to PORTAL. To satisfy the requirements to
qualify as a REIT and generally not be subject to federal income and excise tax, we intend to make regular quarterly distributions of
all or substantially all of our
REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock out of assets legally available. Any future distributions we make will be at the
discretion of our Board and will depend upon our earnings and
financial condition, maintenance of REIT status, applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and such other
factors as our Board deems relevant. For more information regarding
risk factors that could materially adversely affect our earnings and financial condition, please see Part IItem
1A.Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. 24
Dividends Declared
Per Share
(1)
The following table sets forth the closing price of
our common stock as reported on the NYSE on April 19, 2007 (the last day of trading before the day the Merger was announced), on
,
2007, the Record Date, and on , 2007, the date of this proxy statement. There is
no established public trading market for Deerfields membership interests.
Price Per Share of April 19,
2007
$
15.02 , 2007 , 2007 25
DFR Common Stock
This section of the proxy
statement describes material aspects of the proposed Merger, including the issuance of shares of our common stock pursuant to the
Merger Agreement. This summary may
not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement, including the
full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A, and the
other documents we refer you to for a more complete understanding of the Merger. In addition, important business and financial
information about DFR is incorporated into this proxy
statement/prospectus by reference. See How to Obtain More Information. Deerfield Triarc Capital
Corp. DFR is a diversified financial
company that invests in real estate investments, primarily mortgage-backed securities, as well as corporate investments. We have
elected to be taxed as a REIT, for
federal income tax purposes, and intend to continue to operate so as to qualify as a REIT. Our objective is to provide attractive
returns to our investors through a combination of dividends and
capital appreciation. To achieve this objective, we intend to invest opportunistically in financial assets to construct an
investment portfolio that is leveraged where appropriate in order to achieve
attractive risk-adjusted returns and that is structured to allow us to maintain our qualification as a REIT and the requirements
for exclusion from regulation under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, or 1940 Act. We have been externally managed by
DCM since commencement of business in December 2004. Deerfield, DCM and the
Management Agreement Upon the completion of the Merger,
we will become the owner of all of the membership interests of Deerfield. At such time, we will become internally managed and our
existing management
agreement with DCM will be cancelled. Deerfield Deerfield is a holding company the
primary assets of which are all of the outstanding membership interests of DCM and all of the outstanding shares of DCM
(Europe). DCM DCM is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Deerfield and a Chicago-based, SEC registered asset manager that manages client funds (primarily for institutions) worldwide. DCM
(together with its
predecessor companies) commenced its investment management operations in 1993. As of May 1, 2007, DCM managed approximately $14.2
billion of client funds. Through our management
agreement with DCM, we have had access to its resources in portfolio management and infrastructure support, such as risk
management, credit analysis, operations, systems, accounting, portfolio
valuation, compliance and internal audit. As of May 1, 2007, DCM had 144 employees, including 47 portfolio managers and investment
analysts. Also, as of May 1, 2007, DCM had 33 full-time
investment professionals specializing in MBS, ABS, loans and leveraged finance, dedicating a significant part of their time to
sourcing, including performing due diligence, and managing the assets of
our portfolio. DCMs investment professionals perform services for other DCM accounts as well as ours. For the year ended
December 31, 2006 and three months ended March 31, 2007, 21.6% and
31.6% of DCMs revenues were derived from services provided to us, respectively. DCM primarily invests in a broad
range of debt instruments in managing client portfolios. The primary investment focus is on MBS and other ABS, loans, corporate
bonds, leveraged finance 26
instruments and government securities. DCM has separate portfolio management
teams for each of these areas. DCM primarily utilizes the following strategies: fundamental credit analysis, duration
management, yield curve arbitrage and basis spread techniques. DCM has historically been very
selective in making investments, basing its investment decisions on in-depth fundamental research and proprietary analytical
methodologies, and relying on teams
of experienced senior portfolio managers and research analysts. DCM values portfolio diversity, favors stable sectors that are
resilient across economic cycles and takes into account industry and
macroeconomic trends in its decision making. In addition, DCM has experience evaluating and negotiating structural protection for
its investments with a clear focus on minimizing credit losses. DCM (together with its predecessor
companies) has actively operated as an asset manager since 1993 and registered with the SEC as an investment adviser in January 1997.
DCM is also
registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor, and is a
member of the U.S. National Futures Association. As of May 1, 2007, Triarc, through
a subsidiary, owned approximately 64% of the outstanding capital interests, at least 52% of the profits interests and approximately
94% of the voting interests
in Deerfield, which owns 100% of DCM. Senior management of DCM owns and controls the balance of the equity and voting interests in
Deerfield. In addition, all of our officers and three of our
seven directors are also employees of DCM or its affiliates. See Certain Interests of Our Officers and Directors in
Deerfield. We are the only account that DCM
manages pursuant to the specific investment strategy it uses for us, although DCM uses some of the components of that strategy for
its other clients. For
example, in selecting bank loan investments for us, DCM uses the same or similar analysis that it uses in managing bank loan
portfolios for other clients. We are party to a management agreement
with DCM, pursuant to which DCM provides these investment management services to us. See Management
Agreement. 27
Our Organizational Structure Shortly
After the Merger The following chart summarizes our
expected structure shortly after the completion of the Merger:
We are party to a management
agreement with DCM that provides for the day-to-day management of our operations. The management agreement requires DCM to manage our
business affairs
in conformity with the policies and the investment guidelines that are approved and monitored by our Board. DCMs role as
manager is under the supervision and direction of our Board. 28
The following chart summarizes our
structure as of May 14, 2007:
(1)
We formed Deerfield Triarc TRS Holdings, Inc., TRS Holdings, a TRS, because it gives us flexibility to hold certain assets or
engage in certain activities that we, as a REIT, cannot hold or in
which we cannot engage directly. (2) We own substantially all of the equity interest
in Market Square CLO Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited liability company and one of our TRSs, in the form of preference
shares. (3) We formed Deerfield Triarc Capital Trust I,
Deerfield Triarc Capital Trust II and Deerfield Triarc Capital Trust III for the sole purpose of issuing trust preferred securities.
These trusts are not
consolidated into our financial statements because, although we own 100% of the common shares of each trust, we are not deemed
the primary beneficiary of the Trusts. The Trusts are each a
separate legal entity but are shown in one box in the above table for ease of presentation. (4) We own all the equity interests in Pinetree CDO
Ltd., a Cayman Islands limited liability company and our qualified REIT subsidiary, in the form of preference shares and ordinary
shares. (5) We formed Deerfield Triarc TRS (Bahamas) Ltd.,
one of our TRSs, and DWFC, LLC to facilitate a $375.0 million three-year warehouse funding agreement with Wachovia Capital Markets,
LLC. 29
Under the management agreement, DCM is entitled to
receive a base management fee, incentive fee, reimbursement of certain expenses and, in certain circumstances, a termination fee as
described in the management agreement. The following table summarizes the fees payable to DCM pursuant to the management
agreement:
Fee
Summary Description
Base Management Fee
Payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to 1/12 of our
equity (as defined in the management agreement) times 1.75%.
DCM uses the proceeds from its management fee in part to pay
compensation to its officers and employees who, notwithstanding
that certain of them also are our officers, receive no cash
compensation directly from us.
Incentive Fee
Payable quarterly in an amount equal to the product of: (a) 25%
of the dollar amount by which (i) our net income (determined in
accordance with GAAP) and before non-cash equity
compensation expense and before incentive fees, for the quarter
per common share (based on the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding for the quarter) exceeds (ii) an
amount equal to (A) the weighted average of the price per share
of the common shares in the December 2004 private offering and
our June 2005 initial public offering, and the price per common
share in any subsequent offerings by us, in each case at the time
of issuance thereof, multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) 2.00%
and (2) 0.50% plus one-fourth of the Ten Year Treasury Rate for
such quarter, multiplied by (b) the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding during the quarter; provided, that the
foregoing calculation of incentive fees is adjusted to exclude one-
time events pursuant to changes in GAAP, as well as non-cash
charges after discussion between Deerfield Capital and our
independent directors and approval by a majority of our
independent directors in the case of non-cash charges.
Termination Fee
Payable upon termination without cause or non-renewal of the
management agreement in an amount equal to two times the sum
of the average annual base management fee and the average
annual incentive fees earned by DCM during the two 12-month
periods immediately preceding the date of termination, calculated
as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior
to the date of termination. For the year ended December 31,
2006, we paid DCM base management fees of $13.3 million, incentive fees of $3.3 million ($2,805,000 in cash and $495,000 in the form
of 36,850 shares of our
common stock) and expense reimbursements of $0.6 million. In addition, we recognized amortization of restricted stock and option
grants expense of $2.4 million. If the Merger is completed, the
management agreement will be cancelled and we will no longer pay fees or other amounts to a third party manager. Further, we will not
pay any termination fee. Reasons for the Proposed
Merger We believe the proposed Merger
provides us with an opportunity to acquire an alternative asset management company that will both significantly diversify our
existing business and sources of
income and convert our current external management structure into an internally-managed structure. We believe the benefits to us
and our stockholders of such an opportunity include:
The proposed Merger will result in our becoming a more diversified financial services company that can generate both
non-capital intensive fee-based revenue from DCMs alternative asset
management platform, including the management of third-party fixed income- 30
focused vehicles such as CDOs, hedge funds and managed accounts, as well as risk-adjusted spread-based income from DFRs
investment portfolio of mortgage assets and alternative fixed
income investments. The addition of DCMs asset management
businesses will diversify our revenue sources and provide us with a substantial fee-based, non-capital intensive business managing
alternative assets,
including third-party fixed income-focused vehicles such as CDOs, hedge funds and managed accounts. The combination of the highly scalable nature of
DCMs asset management business and the broader access that DCM may have to capital afforded by its acquisition by a public
company will
better position us to leverage on DCMs existing infrastructure and investment personnel to launch new products and
business lines. Establishing an internal management team will
achieve a better alignment of interests between management and the stockholders and eliminate certain possible conflicts of interest
associated
with having an external manager. The internalization of our manager will enhance
the efficiency of our cost structure due to the reduction in our operating costs that will result from our no longer having to pay
management
and incentive fees and expense reimbursements to DCM under our existing management agreement and the realization of potential
cost synergies resulting from the proposed Merger. Although the benefits described above may not be
realized, we believe that, for the reasons described above, the Merger would be accretive to our net income and earnings per share
and,
therefore, we believe it would enhance stockholder value. See Risk Factors. In connection with the acquisition
of DCM pursuant to the proposed Merger, we will issue 9,635,192 shares of our common stock to the members of Deerfield. In this proxy
statement, we are
seeking your approval of this issuance of common stock because the New York Stock Exchange rules require that it be approved by our
stockholders representing a majority of the votes cast on the
proposal (provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock
entitled to vote on the proposal), and because we have made the
approval of the stock issuance by our stockholders representing a majority of the votes cast on the proposal a condition to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement. We have also made the approval of the stock issuance by a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by stockholders who
are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc a condition to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Certain Interests of Our
Officers and Directors in Deerfield Three of our seven directors and
all of our executive officers are also employees of Deerfield or its affiliates:
Nelson Peltz, a director and also the chairman of the Board from December 2004 until April 2007, is also a director and the
chairman and chief executive officer of Triarc, which owns a
controlling interest in Deerfield, and is also a director of Deerfield and DCM. Gregory H. Sachs, a director, is also a director
and the chairman and chief executive officer of Deerfield and DCM, and a director of Triarc. Jonathan W. Trutter, a director and our chief
executive officer, is also the chief investment officer and a senior managing director of DCM. Robert C. Grien, our president, is also a senior
managing director of DCM. Richard Smith, our chief financial officer, is
also senior vice president of finance of DCM. Frederick L. White, our senior vice president,
general counsel and corporate secretary, is also a managing director and the general counsel of DCM, and the general counsel and
assistant
secretary of Deerfield. 31
In addition, the following of our directors and
executive officers are beneficial owners of membership interests in Deerfield as described below:
Mr. Peltz is also a director, the chairman and chief executive officer and the beneficial owner of approximately 34% of the
total voting power of Triarc (the holder of approximately 64% of the
outstanding capital interests, at least 52% of the profits interests and approximately 94% of the voting interests in
Deerfield) and also the holder of approximately 5.1% of the profits interests
in Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC (the subsidiary of Triarc that is the direct holder of Triarcs interest in
Deerfield). Mr. Sachs is the beneficial owner of
approximately 26% of the outstanding capital interests and 25% of the profits interests in Deerfield. Mr. Trutter is the beneficial owner of
approximately 2.6% of the profits interests in Deerfield. Mr. White is the beneficial owner of 0.10% of
the profits interests in Deerfield. In addition, Mr. Grien holds 20,418 shares
of DFR restricted stock that will become vested and transferable if Mr. Sachs ceases to serve on the board of directors of
DCM. As members of Deerfield, affiliates
of Mr. Peltz and Messrs. Trutter and White have executed, or are entitled to execute, the registration rights agreement which will be
entered into with the
members of Deerfield who will receive our common stock in connection with the Merger and will receive the registration rights
described under Description of the Material Agreements Relating to
the MergerRegistration Rights Agreement. In the case of Mr. Sachs, who is
one of our directors and also a director and the chairman and chief executive officer of Deerfield and DCM, on May 25, 2007 certain
of Mr. Sachs affiliates that
are members of Deerfield irrevocably exercised their right under Deerfields existing operating agreement to require Triarc to
purchase for cash all of the membership interests in Deerfield held by
these affiliates of Mr. Sachs simultaneously with the completion of the Merger. In connection with this exercise, Mr. Sachs has
tendered his irrevocable resignation as a director and chairman and
chief executive officer of Deerfield and its subsidiaries effective upon completion of the Merger. It is anticipated, however, that
Mr. Sachs will remain as a director of DFR. In connection with his
resignation as an officer of Deerfield and its subsidiaries, Mr. Sachs will also be entitled to severance payments and certain
other benefits. Background of the Proposed
Merger In May 2006, the Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee of our Board, or the governance committee, met to conduct its annual self-assessment. At the meeting,
the members also
discussed whether DFR needed a clearer strategy for its future growth and to increase the yield of its common stock. On June 1, 2006, the governance
committee met with Mr. Peltz, our then-chairman and the chairman and chief executive officer of Triarc, to review the results of its
self-assessment. In
connection with the meeting, the members of the governance committee expressed to Mr. Peltz their concern that DFR needed a clearer
strategy for its future growth and to increase the yield of its
common stock. In this discussion, the issue was raised as to whether DFR should consider acquiring DCM in order to both diversify
DFRs revenue sources and internalize its management. In June 2006, following the
governance committees meeting with Mr. Peltz, Peter H. Rothschild, a director and member of the governance committee, contacted
an investment bank in
connection with DFRs possible internalization of its management through the acquisition of DCM. Mr. Rothschild requested that
the investment bank conduct a preliminary review of the feasibility
of DFR acquiring DCM, including the level of consideration DFR should offer for DCM to effect the acquisition. By mid-July 2006, the investment
bank had sufficiently completed an analysis to report preliminary results to Mr. Rothschild and Mr. Rothschild reported those results
to his co-directors, Robert
E. Fischer, Robert B. Machinist and Howard Rubin. During this time, Messrs. Rothschild, Fischer, Machinist and Rubin were also
informed that Mr. Sachs, a director and the chairman and 32
chief executive officer of Deerfield and DCM, was in discussions with Triarc
regarding the possible acquisition of Triarcs membership interests in Deerfield by certain members of DCMs
management. On July 17, 2006, Messrs. Fischer,
Machinist and Rothschild met with Mr. Peltz to discuss the possible acquisition of DCM in light of the investment banks
preliminary conclusions. At the
meeting, Messrs. Fischer, Machinist and Rothschild told Mr. Peltz that DFR may consider acquiring DCM for consideration consisting
of cash and stock having an aggregate value of approximately
$250 million. The closing price of DFR common stock on July 14, 2006, the last trading day prior to the meeting, was
$12.79. In late July 2006, Mr. Peltz
informed Mr. Rothschild that Triarc had determined that DFRs tentative proposal was too low and that, instead, Triarc was
considering other alternative transactions. In mid-September 2006, Triarc
suggested to Mr. Fischer that both he and the other DFR directors who do not hold membership interests in Deerfield should be
prepared to form a special
committee of the Board, consisting of directors who do not hold membership interests in Deerfield, to determine whether DFR should
take any action under DFRs management agreement with
DCM in the event of a third party offer to acquire DCM. During the period from early
October 2006 through mid-January 2007, the closing price of DFR common stock rose from $13.11 on October 2, 2006 to $17.03 on January
19, 2007. In late January 2007, a
representative of Triarc, informed Messrs. Fischer, Machinist, Rothschild and Rubin that Triarc had received expressions of interest
from at least two unaffiliated potential
acquirers of Deerfield and suggested that a special committee of the Board, consisting of directors who do not hold membership
interests in Deerfield, be established to determine what action DFR
should take under its management agreement with DCM in connection with any third-party proposals to acquire Deerfield. In early February 2007, various DFR
directors who do not hold membership interests in Deerfield had informal conversations with representatives of Triarc as to whether
Triarc and Deerfield
would consider a proposal from DFR to acquire Deerfield in which a significant portion of the consideration would consist of DFR
common stock. The directors noted the appreciation in the trading
price of DFR common stock over the prior months and both DFR and DCMs improved operating results. Triarc responded that it
would be prepared to entertain such a proposal. Subsequently, these directors held
additional informal conversations with representatives of Triarc regarding the need to establish a special committee of the Board,
consisting of directors who do
not beneficially own membership interests in Deerfield, and engage independent financial and legal advisors to consider, on behalf
of DFR, a possible proposal to acquire Deerfield. In anticipation of the formal
establishment of the Special Committee for the purpose of considering and negotiating a possible acquisition of Deerfield, on
February 13, 14 and 16, 2007, Messrs.
Fischer, Machinist and Rothschild met with various investment banking firms and law firms that had been invited to make
presentations to the Special Committee regarding their engagement in
connection with our possible acquisition of Deerfield. (Mr. Rubin participated in the February 13, 2007 meeting.) At these
meetings, the directors agreed that, once established, the Special Committee
would engage Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. as its financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as its legal
counsel. On March 1, 2007, the Board
distributed a unanimous written consent containing resolutions establishing the Special Committee consisting of Mr. Rothschild, as
interim chairman, and Messrs.
Fischer, Machinist and Rubin, and delegating to the Special Committee authority to:
consider whether or not to make an offer to acquire Deerfield and, if an offer is made, to review and evaluate the terms and
conditions, and determine the advisability, of a potential
acquisition of Deerfield; participate in the negotiations with Deerfield
and any of its beneficial owners with respect to the terms and conditions of any potential acquisition of Deerfield; 33
determine not to make an offer, or cease
negotiations at any time, with respect to any potential acquisition of Deerfield or, in the alternative (but subject to the
limitations of applicable law),
approve any potential acquisition of Deerfield; determine whether any potential acquisition of
Deerfield is fair to, and in the best interests of, our company and those stockholders of our company that are not members of
Deerfield; and recommend to the Board what other action, if
any, should be taken by us with respect to any potential acquisition of Deerfield. The resolutions in the unanimous
written consent further provided, among other things, that:
the Board shall not approve any potential acquisition of Deerfield or recommend any potential acquisition of Deerfield for
approval by our stockholders without a prior favorable
recommendation of such acquisition by the Special Committee; the Special Committee is authorized to engage
legal, financial and such other advisors as it deems necessary in discharging its duties; and each member of the Special Committee shall
receive as compensation for his service as a member of the Special Committee a fee of $15,000 per calendar month in which the Special
Committee determines its services are required in order to appropriately exercise the powers and authorities delegated to the
Special Committee by these resolutions, beginning on February 13,
2007 (and pro rated for the month of February 2007); provided that no member of the Special Committee shall receive more than
an aggregate of $82,500 as compensation for his service as a
member of the Special Committee. On March 2, 2007, Goldman Sachs
& Co., Triarcs financial advisor, granted the Special Committee and its advisors access to a data room that had been
established to facilitate the sale of
Deerfield. From and after this date, the Special Committees legal and financial advisors conducted, on behalf of DFR, legal
and financial due diligence in order to determine appropriate valuation
and contractual terms for a potential acquisition of Deerfield. Also on March 2, 2007, Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, counsel to Triarc and Deerfield, provided Weil Gotshal with a draft of the Merger Agreement. At
various times through
the date of execution of the Merger Agreement, Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns, on behalf of the Special Committee, and Paul Weiss
and Goldman Sachs, on behalf of Triarc and Deerfield,
negotiated the draft of the Merger Agreement and related documents. These negotiations included discussions regarding, and the
exchange of drafts and comments on, these documents. On March 5, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was also attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. The Special Committee discussed the
advisability of retaining a
second investment banking firm, in addition to Bear Stearns, to render an opinion with respect to the fairness of the consideration
to be paid in any transaction that might be negotiated, and
unanimously agreed to interview three investment banking firms for this purpose. The Special Committee then asked Weil Gotshal to
describe various discussions that had taken place between Weil
Gotshal and Bear Stearns regarding tax and other structural issues with respect to the potential acquisition of Deerfield, as well
as possible next steps that the Special Committee and Weil Gotshal
could take. On March 8, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting with representatives from Weil Gotshal in attendance. The Special Committee discussed its
meetings with three additional
investment banking firms and unanimously agreed that Houlihan Lokey should be engaged to provide the Special Committee with a
second opinion. In addition, Weil Gotshal described various
structural and other issues that it had identified in connection with the draft of the Merger Agreement that had been circulated by
Paul Weiss. The Special Committee instructed Weil Gotshal to
meet with Paul Weiss to further discuss and attempt to resolve these issues. On March 9, 2007, the Special
Committee held a meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns. The Special Committee discussed
financial projections for
both DFR and Deerfield and the potential termination of the management agreement between DFR and 34
DCM in the event an acquisition of Deerfield is consummated. Following this,
the Special Committee directed Bear Stearns to schedule a meeting with representatives of DCM and Triarc to discuss a
potential transaction. On March 13, 2007, Weil Gotshal met
with Paul Weiss and a representative of Triarc to exchange preliminary comments on the draft of the Merger Agreement provided by Paul
Weiss and the
structure of a potential transaction generally. Weil Gotshal noted that, among other things, the draft of the Merger Agreement
resembled an agreement used in connection with the acquisition of a
public company, rather than a private company, in that Deerfields representations and warranties were limited in scope and
did not survive beyond the closing, and there were no provisions
providing for post-closing indemnification of DFR for breaches of Deerfields representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements. Additionally, Weil Gotshal noted that there were no provisions
that limited the right of Deerfield members to compete with a merged DFR/Deerfield after the closing, and the agreement required
DFR to pay Deerfield a termination fee if the agreement was
terminated under certain circumstances. On March 14, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting with representatives from Weil Gotshal in attendance. Weil Gotshal reported on its meeting with
Paul Weiss and a
representative of Triarc the previous day. On March 16, 2007, DFR received an
executed copy of the unanimous written consent distributed on March 1, 2007 from the last DFR director. Also on March 16, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns. The Special Committee,
Bear Stearns and
Weil Gotshal discussed a number of issues in relation to the possible acquisition of Deerfield including the valuation assumptions
that Bear Stearns was using in its valuation of Deerfield as well as
the possible strategies that DFR could use if it determined to make a formal offer to acquire Deerfield. On March 20, 2007, the members of
the Special Committee and Bear Stearns attended a meeting with representatives of Deerfield and Triarc (on which Weil Gotshal
participated telephonically),
at which the representatives of Deerfield and Triarc discussed with the members of the Special Committee their assumptions
regarding DCMs performance and management following the completion
of a potential transaction, as well as their general proposals relating to the structure and form of consideration for a potential
transaction. Immediately following this meeting
on March 20, 2007, the Special Committee held a meeting that was attended by Bear Stearns and, telephonically, by Weil Gotshal. At
this meeting, the Special
Committee, after discussing the matter with its financial and legal advisors, unanimously determined that it was in the best
interest of DFR and its stockholders who do not hold membership interests
in Deerfield to make an offer to acquire Deerfield. In this regard, the Special Committee unanimously agreed that it should make an
offer to acquire all of the equity interests of Deerfield for
consideration valued at $290 million, consisting of $145 million of cash and DFR common stock having a value of $145 million (based
upon a $16.50 market price, which the Special Committee noted
was higher than the then-current trading price of DFRs common stock). The Special Committee unanimously authorized Mr.
Rothschild to orally communicate the terms of this offer to Triarcs
representatives. Later on March 20, 2007, Mr.
Rothschild and Bear Stearns met with Edward P. Garden, the Vice Chairman of Triarc, and, in accordance with the Special
Committees prior instruction, orally
delivered the Special Committees offer in respect of the possible acquisition of Deerfield. Mr. Garden advised Mr.
Rothschild that the Special Committees offer did not provide sufficient value to
Deerfields members because:
the Special Committees offer was less than the consideration that had been offered by others who had previously submitted
either an indication of interest or proposal seeking to acquire
Deerfield; and the $16.50 stock price that the Special
Committee had used to calculate the number of shares issuable under the offer was not appropriate, because the closing price of DFR
common stock was
only $14.59 on March 19, 2007, the most recent trading day. 35
Mr. Garden further proposed a counter-offer of $310
million of consideration, consisting of $155 million in cash and DFR common stock having a value of $155 million (based upon the
current
market price). On March 25, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. Mr. Rothschild reported to the other
members of the Special
Committee on his meeting with Mr. Garden, including Mr. Gardens response to the Special Committees offer and his
counter-offer to the Special Committee. The Special Committee, together with
Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns, discussed how to proceed in light of the counter-offer and determined that it would be in the best
interests of DFR and the stockholders who do not hold membership
interests in Deerfield to revise its proposal to acquire Deerfield and offer to provide $290 million of consideration consisting of
$145 million in cash and our common stock having a value of $145
million (based on the current market price). On March 26, 2007, Mr. Rothschild
and Bear Stearns met with Mr. Garden of Triarc in order to present the Special Committees revised offer. Mr. Garden rejected
the Special Committees
revised offer and proposed a revised counter-offer consisting of:
aggregate merger consideration of $295 million, 50% of which would be payable in cash and 50% of which would be payable in a
fixed number of shares of DFR common stock based on the
closing price of DFRs common stock prior to execution of the Merger Agreement; the vesting and distribution to Deerfields
members of 309,038 shares of DFR common stock which had been previously granted to, and was currently held by, DCM;
and in the event DCMs derivative financial
products company, or DFP, engaged in a capital markets transaction following the closing, DFR would reimburse Deerfields
members for up to $5.0
million of DCMs out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the organization of DFP. On March 27, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns. Mr. Rothschild reported
on his conversation the
prior day with Mr. Garden, including Mr. Gardens response to the Special Committees revised offer and his revised
counter-offer to the Special Committee. The Special Committee, together with
Weil Gotshal and Bear Stearns, discussed how to proceed in light of the revised counter-offer and determined that it would be in
the best interests of DFR and its stockholders that do not hold
membership interests in Deerfield to make a revised offer. In this regard, the Special Committee determined that its revised offer
would consist of:
$290 million of consideration, comprising $145 million in cash and DFR common stock having a value of $145 million (based on
the average closing price for a specified period prior to the
execution of definitive documentation); the distribution to Deerfields members of
all of the vested shares of the DFR common stock that had previously been granted to DCM as restricted stock; in the event that DCM achieved certain agreed
performance metrics following the closing, the vesting and distribution to Deerfields members of the unvested shares of DFR
common stock
that had previously been granted to DCM as restricted stock; and in the event DCMs derivative financial
products company, or DFP, engaged in a capital markets transaction following the closing, DFR reimburse Deerfields members for
up to $5.0 million of
DCMs out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the organization of DFP, but only after DFR had been reimbursed
for any expenses that were incurred by DFR in connection with
DFP after the closing. On March 28, 2007, Mr. Rothschild
had a telephone conversation with Mr. Garden of Triarc to present the Special Committees revised offer to acquire Deerfield. In
that conversation, Mr.
Garden indicated that the Special Committees revised offer would be acceptable, subject to the negotiation of definitive
documentation, provided that Deerfield was permitted to distribute all of the
shares of DFR common stock it currently held to its members prior to closing of the transaction, and provided DFR would reimburse
Deerfields members for Deerfields out-of-pocket expenses
incurred 36
in connection with the organization of DFP on a pro-rata basis with DFRs
recoupment of any expenses incurred by DFR in connection with DFP after the closing. On March 29, 2007, the Special
Committee (excluding Mr. Machinist) held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. Mr. Rothschild
reported that the revised
offer proposed by the Special Committee would be acceptable to Triarc and Deerfield, provided the parties could negotiate
definitive documentation and agree on certain issues relating to the
distribution of the previously granted DFR common stock and the proposed reimbursement of the expenses incurred by Deerfield in
connection with DFP. Later that day, the Special Committee held
a second meeting (with Weil Gotshal in attendance), to update Mr. Machinist as to the status of the negotiations. On March 30, 2007, Weil Gotshal
distributed to Paul Weiss a draft of the Merger Agreement containing a number of proposed revisions, including the elimination of
various business-related
DFR representations and warranties, the inclusion of additional Deerfield representations and warranties, the elimination of any
requirement to provide financing commitment letters upon execution
of a definitive agreement, the inclusion of a financing condition to DFRs obligation to close, the elimination of any
termination fee payable by DFR to Deerfield in the event a definitive Merger
Agreement is terminated under any circumstances, and the inclusion of various provisions creating an obligation of the Deerfield
members to indemnify DFR for certain breaches of the Merger
Agreement. On April 1, 2007, in light of the
progress that had been made in negotiations, the Special Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives
from Weil Gotshal, Bear
Stearns and Houlihan Lokey in order to brief Houlihan Lokey as to the status of negotiations and to answer various questions that
Houlihan Lokey had regarding the possible acquisition of DCM,
including the possible synergies that could arise from the acquisition, as part of Houlihan Lokeys diligence in connection
with its engagement. On April 3, 2007, Paul Weiss
distributed to Weil Gotshal a revised draft of the Merger Agreement proposing, among other things, that DFR secure financing
commitment letters prior to the
execution of a definitive Merger Agreement, that DFR remove Triarc from its name, that DFR pay Deerfields and
Triarcs transaction-related expenses in the event the Merger Agreement is
terminated for specified reasons, and further limitations on the indemnification obligations of Deerfields members. On April 4, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal, Bear Stearns and Houlihan Lokey. The
Special Committee discussed
a range of issues concerning the possible acquisition of DCM, including the preliminary views of each of Bear Stearns and Houlihan
Lokey with respect to the financial aspects of the possible
acquisition. Additionally, Weil Gotshal described the revisions proposed by Paul Weiss in the draft of the Merger Agreement it had
received the day before. Later on April 4, 2007, Weil
Gotshal met with Paul Weiss and representatives of Deerfield and Triarc to discuss the Special Committees comments to Paul
Weiss proposed revisions to the draft
of the Merger Agreement. On April 5, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. At the meeting, the Special Committee
discussed the meeting that
had taken place the previous day between Weil Gotshal and Paul Weiss regarding the negotiation of the Merger Agreement. On April 10, 2007, Weil Gotshal
distributed to Paul Weiss a memorandum setting forth the Special Committees position with respect to various outstanding issues
relating to the draft of the
Merger Agreement. In this memorandum, Weil Gotshal also proposed, on behalf of the Special Committee, that the draft of the Merger
Agreement be revised, among other things, to include a post-
closing book value adjustment to account for decreases in Deerfields book value since December 31, 2006, and to provide that
all of Deerfields consolidated earnings between the date a definitive
Merger Agreement is executed and the date of closing be retained by Deerfield following closing. Later that day, Paul Weiss
distributed to Weil Gotshal a revised draft of the Merger 37
Agreement that addressed some, but not all, of the outstanding issues
identified in the memorandum. On April 11, 2007, the Special
Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. At the meeting, the Special Committee
discussed various employee
matters relating to the possible acquisition of Deerfield, as well as the discussions that had taken place between Weil Gotshal and
Paul Weiss regarding the ability of the Special Committee to
conduct diligence with various DCM employees. On the morning of April 16, 2007,
the Special Committee held a telephonic meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal. The Special Committee and
Weil Gotshal discussed
various issues that were raised by the draft of the Merger Agreement, including the financing representations and
covenants. Subsequently on April 16, 2007,
Messrs. Rothschild and Fischer and Weil Gotshal met with representatives of Deerfield and Triarc and Paul Weiss to discuss
outstanding issues relating to the
draft of the Merger Agreement and the potential transaction generally. At this meeting, the parties discussed, among other things,
the status of our efforts to obtain financing for a potential
transaction, the desire of the Special Committee to meet and discuss the transaction with members of Deerfield management who also
are officers of DFR, the Special Committees request for a post-
closing book value adjustment and its related need to restrict Deerfield from making extraordinary distributions of cash to its
members, the terms of Deerfields post-closing indemnification
obligations, any rights of Triarc and certain other Deerfield members to designate nominees to the Board after the closing, the
extent to which Deerfield members will be reimbursed for Deerfield
expenses incurred in connection with the organization of DFP, and the terms of the registration rights agreement. Additionally, at
this meeting, subject to the approval of the other members of the
Special Committee, Messrs. Rothschild and Fischer, on the one hand, and the representatives of Deerfield and Triarc, on the other
hand, reached agreement on a number of outstanding terms of the
draft of the Merger Agreement, including the closing condition relating to client consents obtained, that DFR would change its name
to eliminate Triarc, the non-competition provisions, the
elimination of any obligation of DFR to pay Deerfields fees in the event the transaction is not consummated, and the survival
term of the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement. Later that day, the Special
Committee held a second telephonic meeting that was attended by Weil Gotshal. At the meeting, Weil Gotshal and Messrs. Rothschild and
Fischer briefed the other
members of the Special Committee on the negotiations that had occurred earlier that day and the status of various open issues
relating to the draft of the Merger Agreement, registration rights
agreement and escrow agreement. As described above, in April 2007,
the Special Committee had asked Deerfield and Triarc to permit the officers of DFR who also are employees of DCM to meet with and
assist the Special
Committee and its advisors with regard to the Merger and the Merger Agreement. The Special Committee requested the
individuals assistance because, although the Special Committees principal
advisors were Bear Stearns and Weil Gotshal, the Special Committee considered that such additional assistance was necessary to the
Special Committee and its advisors in their consideration of the
Merger and the Merger Agreement. These individuals, Triarc and the Special Committee and their representatives discussed the
potential conflicts of interest in light of the dual roles of these
individuals as DFR officers, on the one hand, and DCM employees and, in certain cases, Deerfield members, on the other hand. In
view of the fact that DFR did not have any officers or employees
that were not also DCM employees, the parties concluded that it was appropriate for these individuals (in their capacities as DFR
officers, rather than DCM employees or Deerfield members) to
meet with and assist the Special Committee and its advisors with regard to the Merger and the Merger Agreement. It was agreed,
however, that these individuals would not be asked about
Deerfields negotiating strategy or the valuation of Deerfield or DFR and that DFR would indemnify them against any
liabilities arising out of their participation in such meetings in their capacities
as DFR officers. On April 18, 2007, the individuals
(in their capacities as DFR officers) met with Mr. Machinist, Bear Stearns and Weil Gotshal to discuss the Merger and the Merger
Agreement. At the outset of 38
that conversation, the attendees confirmed that their assistance would be limited
to matters that did not relate to Deerfields negotiating strategy or the valuation of Deerfield or DFR. During the evening of April 18,
2007, and the morning of April 19, 2007, Weil Gotshal and Paul Weiss continued to negotiate and resolve various other terms of the
draft of the Merger
Agreement and other documentation. On the afternoon of April 19, 2007,
the Special Committee held a meeting that was attended by representatives from Weil Gotshal, Bear Stearns and Houlihan Lokey. The
purpose of the
meeting was for the Special Committee to consider the terms of the possible acquisition of Deerfield that had been negotiated and,
if appropriate, for the Special Committee to vote on whether to
approve the draft of the Merger Agreement, as negotiated, and the other documents contemplated by the draft of the Merger
Agreement. Weil Gotshal provided the Special Committee with a
summary of the draft of the Merger Agreement and history of the negotiations to date. Houlihan Lokey made a presentation to the
Special Committee regarding financial aspects of the proposed
acquisition of Deerfield and delivered its written opinion that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to the
assumptions, factors, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the
aggregate merger consideration was fair, from a financial point of view, to DFR. Bear Stearns made its presentation to the Special
Committee regarding financial aspects of the proposed acquisition
of Deerfield and delivered its written opinion that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration
to be paid by DFR was fair, from a financial point of view. Following a discussion of these reports, the Special Committee after
due deliberation unanimously voted to adopt resolutions:
approving the proposed acquisition of Deerfield pursuant to the draft of the Merger Agreement; approving the entry by DFR into the Merger
Agreement, registration rights agreement, and escrow agreement; recommending that the Board approve the proposed
acquisition of Deerfield pursuant to the draft of the Merger Agreement and the entry by DFR into the draft of the Merger Agreement,
registration rights agreement and escrow agreement; recommending that the Board recommend that
DFRs stockholders approve the issuance of DFR common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement; and giving Mr. Rothschild, working with Weil
Gotshal, the authority to negotiate and resolve any open legal and business points concerning the transaction documents. Immediately following the Special
Committee meeting on April 19, 2007, the Board met, received reports from the Special Committee, Weil Gotshal, Bear Stearns and
Houlihan Lokey, and
adopted after due deliberation resolutions approving the proposed acquisition of Deerfield pursuant to the draft of the Merger
Agreement and the entry by DFR into the Merger Agreement,
registration rights agreement and escrow agreement, and recommending that the DFR stockholders approve the issuance of 9,635,192
shares of DFR common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. Messrs. Peltz, Sachs and Trutter, who have material financial interests in the Merger, abstained from voting upon the
matter. Later on April 19, 2007, the board
of directors of Deerfield met to consider the Merger and related transactions, and adopted after due deliberation resolutions
approving the proposed Merger
pursuant to the draft Merger Agreement and authorizing certain actions related to the Merger. Mr. Sachs and Scott Roberts, the
president of DCM, who have financial interests in the Merger that are
different than the other members of Deerfield, abstained from voting upon these resolutions. Subsequently, Weil Gotshal and Mr.
Rothschild, as representatives of the Special Committee, on the one hand, and Paul Weiss and representatives of Triarc and Deerfield,
on the other hand,
completed their negotiation of all outstanding business and legal points concerning the Merger Agreement and schedules thereto, the
registration rights agreement, and the escrow agreement. Late in
the evening of April 19, 2007, DFR, Deerfield and Triarc executed and delivered the Merger Agreement and registration rights
agreement. The following morning, DFR and Triarc issued separate
press releases announcing the transaction. 39
Dissenters or Appraisal
Rights Under applicable Maryland law, DFR
stockholders do not have dissenters or appraisal rights in connection with the issuance of shares to complete the Merger or the
other matters being voted
upon at the Meeting. In accordance with GAAP, DFR will
account for the Merger using the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method of accounting, DFR will allocate the total
estimated purchase
price to Deerfields net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets based on their fair values as of the date of
completion of the Merger, and record the excess of the purchase price over those
fair values as goodwill. DFR will incur amortization expense over the useful lives of identifiable intangible assets acquired in
connection with the Merger. In addition, to the extent the value of
goodwill or identifiable intangible assets becomes impaired, DFR may be required to incur material charges relating to the
impairment of that asset. We and our subsidiaries will incur
substantial additional indebtedness to close the Merger. More specifically, to fund the acquisition of all of the membership
interests in Deerfield and certain of
its members, we and our subsidiaries intend to enter into a senior, secured term credit facility with UBS Loan Finance LLC, UBS
Securities LLC, or UBS Securities, Bank of America, N.A. and
Bank of America Securities, LLC, or BOA Securities, providing for $155.0 million of financing to us by a syndicate of lenders,
including UBS Loan Finance LLC and Bank of America, N.A. The
amount borrowed under this credit facility is expected to be payable in full on a date five years from the closing date. The terms
of the debt financing are set forth in a commitment letter dated May
24, 2007. Entry into this credit facility will also obligate us to pay certain underwriting and agency fees. UBS Securities and BOA Securities
have been appointed as joint lead arrangers and joint bookmanagers for this facility. It is expected that UBS AG will act as
administrative agent and Bank of
America, N.A. will act as the syndication agent for the credit facility. Conditions Precedent to Financing Under the commitment letter, the
availability of the financing is subject to ordinary documentation conditions and the satisfaction or waiver of conditions, including
the following:
there not having occurred any change, effect or circumstance that would constitute a Company Material Adverse
Effect, as that term is defined in the commitment letter; the sources and uses of funds and the
assumptions relating thereto shall be as set forth in the commitment letter; the ratio of pro forma recourse indebtedness to
earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, for the latest four quarter period ending more than 30
days prior
to the closing of the Merger shall not be greater than 3.25X; and that the Merger shall have been consummated and
that we shall have issued shares of common stock to the members of Deerfield pursuant to the Merger. Interest and Fees Assuming that the Merger is
completed and the lenders provide financing as contemplated by commitment letter, the interest rate that is expected to be applicable
to this credit facility, at our
option, would be calculated either upon a base rate, or LIBOR, in each case plus a spread. Guarantee and Security We, along with our domestic
subsidiaries, expect to fully and unconditionally guarantee our obligations on a joint and several basis under this credit facility.
Moreover, we expect this facility to 40
be secured by a lien on all of the assets of DCM and its domestic subsidiaries
as well as a pledge of all of the equity interests in DCM and its and our other domestic subsidiaries. Prepayment We expect that mandatory
prepayments will be required in connection with sales of our or our subsidiaries non-financial assets after the closing date of
this credit facility, other than agreed upon
exceptions, including reinvestment provisions. Each lender may reject its pro rata portion of any mandatory prepayment. There are
no prepayment penalties, except for LIBOR breakage costs, for
mandatory prepayments. Voluntary prepayments are permitted with prior notice, but without premium or penalty, subject to LIBOR
breakage costs, accrued and unpaid interest, and a certain
minimum amount of prepayment. Covenants and Other Matters We expect that this credit facility
will require us to comply with certain financial covenants, including a maximum senior leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage
ratio and a minimum
tangible net worth. This credit facility will also include certain covenants restricting or limiting our ability to, among other
things: dispose of non-financial assets other than in the ordinary course of
business, merge or consolidate with any entity or make an acquisition, declare dividends (subject to maintaining our status as a
REIT) or redeem or repurchase capital stock or make other
stockholder distributions, prepay, redeem or purchase certain debt, make loans to or invest in certain subsidiaries, create
additional liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, modify or waive our
organizational documents or change our fiscal year. Based upon the terms of the
commitment letter, we also expect that this credit facility will contain customary representations and warranties, indemnification
provisions, affirmative covenants,
notice and reporting provisions, events of default, including changes of control, and cross-defaults to other indebtedness.
Finally, we anticipate that the lenders under this facility will retain the right to
increase the interest margins applicable to the credit facility, add a prepayment penalty, increase the amortization on the credit
facility and modify covenant ratios for a period of time after the
closing date to ensure the successful syndication of the loan. The documentation governing the
credit facility has not been finalized and, accordingly, the actual terms may differ from those described above. In addition, we may
obtain financing from
different sources in amounts and on terms that may vary from those described herein. Recommendations of the
Special Committee and the Board Special Committee Recommendation; Reasons for
Recommendation As described above, the Special
Committee:
unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and related documentation and the issuance of DFRs common stock pursuant to the
Merger Agreement; unanimously recommended that the Board approve
the Merger Agreement and related documentation and the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement;
and unanimously recommended that the Board recommend
that our stockholders approve the proposed internalization and the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. In reaching these conclusions, the
Special Committee took into account the following anticipated factors (without assigning relative weights to them) which the Special
Committee believes weigh
in favor of the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement to enable us to complete the Merger:
the Merger will result in our becoming a more diversified financial services company that generates both non-capital intensive
fee-based revenue from DCMs alternative asset 41
management platform, including the management of third-party fixed income-focused vehicles such as CDOs, hedge funds and
managed accounts, as well as risk-adjusted spread-based income
from DFRs investment portfolio of mortgage assets and alternative fixed income investments; the addition of DCMs asset management
businesses will diversify our revenue sources and provide us with a substantial fee-based, non-capital intensive business managing
alternative assets,
including third-party fixed income-focused vehicles such as CDOs, hedge funds and managed accounts; the combination of the highly scalable nature of
DCMs asset management business and the broader access that DCM may have to capital afforded by its acquisition by a public
company will
better position us to leverage DCMs existing infrastructure and investment personnel to launch new products and business
lines; the establishment of an internal management team
will achieve a better alignment of interests between management and the stockholders and eliminate certain perceived conflicts of
interest
associated with having an external advisor; the internalization of our manager will enhance
the efficiency of our cost structure due to the reduction in our operating costs that will result from our no longer having to pay
management and
incentive fees and expense reimbursements to DCM under our existing management agreement and the realization of potential cost
synergies resulting from the proposed Merger; the tax benefit of the amortization expense for
goodwill associated with DCM; the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement
and the registration rights agreement, including, among other things, (1) the type and amount of consideration to be paid, (2) the
indemnities
obtained, and (3) the conditions to our obligation to consummate the proposed Merger, including DFRs financial condition
and the approval by our stockholders of the issuance of our common
stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement; the agreement to escrow 2,504,817 shares of our
common stock representing approximately 13% of the aggregate merger consideration to satisfy any indemnification claims we may have
pursuant to the Merger Agreement; the retention of certain key management
personnel of DCM; the proven expertise and substantial experience
of the employees of DCM and its affiliates who would become our employees in connection with the proposed Merger; the oral financial presentation of Bear Stearns
and its written opinion to the Special Committee that, as of April 19, 2007, the consideration to be paid by DFR in connection with
the Merger
was fair to DFR from a financial point of view, as more fully described in the section entitled Opinion of Bear
Stearns below; the oral financial presentation of Houlihan
Lokey and its written opinion to the Special Committee that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to the assumptions,
factors,
qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the consideration to be paid by DFR in connection with the Merger,
taken in the aggregate, was fair to DFR from a financial point of
view, as more fully described in the section entitled Opinion of Houlihan Lokey below; our ability, through the acquisition of DCM, to
directly control key functions that are important to the growth of our business; the uncertainty in the amount of fees that would
be payable in the event we do not become an internally-managed REIT; the benefit of an internal management team which
would be fully dedicated and primarily focused on our strategic plans for enhancing stockholder value; the conditions of our obligation to close the
proposed Merger, including the approval of our stockholders; and 42
the belief of the Special Committee that, for
the reasons described above, the Merger would be accretive to our net income and earnings per share and, therefore, enhance
stockholder value. The Special Committee also took
into account, without assigning relative weights to, the following potential factors. Although the Special Committee viewed these as
potentially negative factors
with respect to the proposed internalization, the Special Committee believed these factors were outweighed by the factors set forth
above:
the issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock could result in substantial dilution for our stockholders; the risk factors associated with the proposed
Merger as more fully described in the section entitled Risk Factors; the risk that the earnings from DCMs
incentive fee-based business may be volatile; the risk that the changes in our revenue sources
resulting from the acquisition of Deerfield will require increased attention to our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification tests
applicable to us; the potential liabilities associated with the
direct employment of personnel, including the compensation that will be payable under employment agreements, workers disability
and compensation
claims, labor disputes and other employee-related grievances; the additional general and administrative
expenses associated with being internally managed; the potential liabilities that we may inherit
from Deerfield, DCM and DCM (Europe) as a result of the proposed Merger that may not be covered by the indemnities provided in the
Merger
Agreement; and the potential adverse effect on future sales of
our common stock by the current holders of membership interests in Deerfield who will receive shares of our common stock upon the
completion
of the Merger. The Special Committee determined
that, in light of all of the factors that it considered, the proposed Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, including the
issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, are fair to DFR and in our best interest and in the best interest of
our stockholders who do not hold membership interests in
Deerfield. Accordingly, the Special Committee has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the issuance of our common stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and it has unanimously
recommended that the Board approve the Merger Agreement and the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and
that stockholders vote FOR the proposed issuance of
9,635,192 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Board Approval As described above, our Board
(excluding those members who abstained because of a material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our
stockholders) has approved the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the issuance of shares of our common stock, having
determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the issuance of shares of our common stock, are fair to, and in the best interests
of, our company and our stockholders who do not hold
membership interests in Deerfield, and it is recommended that stockholders approve the issuance of our common stock in connection
with the Merger. Our Board based its determination
primarily on the factors that were considered by the Special Committee and the subsequent conclusions of the Special Committee as
described above, and the
extensive arms length negotiations of the Special Committee with the representatives of Deerfield and Triarc. Our Board did not find it practical
to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determination. 43
The Board determined that, in light of all of the
factors that it considered, including the recommendation of the Special Committee, the proposed Merger and the other transactions
contemplated
by the Merger Agreement, including the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, are fair to DFR and in our
best interest and in the best interest of our stockholders who
do not hold membership interests in Deerfield. Accordingly, the Board (excluding those members who abstained because of a
material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our
stockholders) has approved the Merger Agreement and the issuance of our common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement, and it has
recommended (with Messrs. Peltz, Sachs and Trutter
abstaining) that stockholders vote FOR the issuance of 9,635,192 shares of our common stock in connection with the
Merger. Opinion of Bear, Stearns &
Co. Inc. Pursuant to an engagement letter
dated March 1, 2007, the Special Committee retained Bear Stearns to act as its financial advisor with respect to the proposed Merger
with DCM. In selecting
Bear Stearns, the Special Committee considered, among other things, the fact that Bear Stearns is an internationally recognized
investment banking firm with substantial experience advising companies
in the financial services industry as well as substantial experience providing strategic advisory services. Bear Stearns, as part
of its investment banking business, is continuously engaged in the
evaluation of businesses and their debt and equity securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions; underwritings, private
placements and other securities offerings; senior credit financings;
valuations; and general corporate advisory services. At the April 19, 2007 meeting of
the Special Committee, Bear Stearns delivered its oral opinion, which was subsequently confirmed in writing, that, as of April 19,
2007, and based upon and
subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the written opinion, the consideration to be paid by DFR
was fair, from a financial point of view, to DFR. The full text of Bear Stearns
written opinion is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement and you should read the opinion carefully and in its entirety. The
opinion sets forth the assumptions
made, some of the matters considered and qualifications to and limitations of the review undertaken by Bear Stearns. The Bear
Stearns opinion is subject to the assumptions and conditions contained
therein and is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions and the information made available to Bear Stearns as of
the date of the Bear Stearns opinion. Bear Stearns assumed no
responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date of the Merger
Agreement. In reading the discussion of the
fairness opinion set forth below, you should be aware that Bear Stearns opinion:
was provided to the Special Committee for its benefit and use; did not constitute a recommendation to the
Special Committee or any stockholder of DFR as to how to vote in connection with the proposed Merger or otherwise; and did not address DFRs underlying business
decision to pursue the proposed Merger, the relative merits of the proposed Merger as compared to any alternative business strategies
that might
exist for DFR, the financing of the proposed Merger or the effects of any other transaction in which DFR might
engage. DFR did not provide specific
instructions to, or place any limitations on, Bear Stearns with respect to the procedures to be followed or factors to be considered
by it in performing its analyses or
providing its opinion. In connection with rendering its
opinion, Bear Stearns:
reviewed various drafts of the Merger Agreement prior to April 19, 2007; reviewed the final draft of the Merger Agreement
that was executed on April 19, 2007; reviewed DFRs Annual Reports to
Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed
since
December 31, 2006; 44
reviewed Triarcs Annual Reports to
Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed since
December 31, 2006; reviewed certain operating and financial
information relating to DFRs business and prospects, including projections for the years ended December 31, 2007 through
December 31, 2010, all as
prepared and provided to Bear Stearns by DFRs management; reviewed certain operating and financial
information relating to DCMs business and prospects, including projections for the years ended December 31, 2007 through
December 31, 2010, all as
prepared and provided to Bear Stearns by DCMs management; reviewed certain estimates of cost synergies,
revenue synergies and other combination benefits expected to result from the proposed Merger, all as prepared and provided to Bear
Stearns by
DFRs and DCMs management; met with certain members of DFRs and
DCMs senior management to discuss DFRs and DCMs respective businesses, operations, historical and projected
financial results and future
prospects; reviewed the historical prices, trading
multiples and trading volumes of the common shares of DFR; reviewed publicly available financial data,
stock market performance data and trading multiples of companies which Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to
DCM; reviewed the terms of recent mergers and
acquisitions involving companies which Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to DCM; performed discounted cash flow analyses based on
the projections for DCM, DFR and the synergy estimates furnished to us; reviewed the pro forma financial results,
financial condition and capitalization of DFR giving effect to the proposed Merger; and conducted such other studies, analyses,
inquiries and investigations as Bear Stearns deemed appropriate. Bear Stearns relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information provided to or
discussed with it by DFR and DCM
or obtained by Bear Stearns from public sources, including, without limitation, the projections and synergy estimates referred to
above. With respect to the projections and synergy estimates, Bear
Stearns relied on representations that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the senior management of DFR and DCM, as the
case may be, as to the expected future performance of DFR and DCM. Bear Stearns noted that the management of DFR is composed
entirely of members of the management of DCM. Bear Stearns
did not assume any responsibility for the independent verification of any such information, including, without limitation, the
projections and synergy estimates, and Bear Stearns further relied upon
the assurances of the senior management of DFR and DCM, as the case may be, that they were unaware of any facts that would make the
information, projections and synergy estimates incomplete
or misleading. In arriving at its opinion, Bear
Stearns did not perform or obtain any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of DFR and DCM,
nor was Bear Stearns
furnished with any such appraisals. Bear Stearns assumed that the proposed Merger will be consummated in a timely manner and in
accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement without any
limitations, restrictions, conditions, amendments or modifications, regulatory or otherwise, that collectively would have a
material effect on DFR, DCM or Merger Sub. Bear Stearns did not express any
opinion as to the price or range of prices at which the shares of common stock of DFR may trade subsequent to the announcement or
consummation of the
proposed Merger. 45
Summary of Bear Stearns
Analyses The following is a brief summary of
the material financial analyses performed by Bear Stearns and presented to the Special Committee in connection with rendering its
fairness opinion. Some of the financial analyses
summarized below include summary data and information presented in tabular format. In order to understand fully the financial
analyses, the summary data and
tables must be read together with the full text of the analyses. Considering the summary data and tables alone could create a
misleading or incomplete view of Bear Stearns financial analyses. Implied Value of Aggregate
Merger Consideration. Bear Stearns calculated an implied value of the aggregate merger consideration of approximately $290
million, consisting of $145 million of cash
and 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock having a value of approximately $145 million based on the average closing price of
DFRs common stock over the 10 trading days prior to and including
April 18, 2007. Discounted Cash Flow
Analysis. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash flow, or DCF, analysis on the projections (including the associated cost and
revenue synergies) for DCM provided by
the management of DCM and DFR. Bear Stearns utilized a range of discount rates from 15.0% to 17.0% and a perpetual growth rate of
2.0% for the base projections and a range of discount rates
from 15.0% to 17.0% and a perpetual growth rate of zero percent for the associated cost and revenue synergies. The following table summarizes the
results of the discounted cash flow analysis:
Implied Total Equity Value
(in millions) DCM Base
Projections
$
528.6 $622.4 Cost
Synergies
$
20.6 $ 23.3 Revenue
Synergies
$
224.9 $257.4 Comparable Company Analysis. Bear
Stearns reviewed and compared certain financial information and valuation multiples of DCM with similar data of selected publicly
traded alternative and
traditional asset managers that Bear Stearns deemed to be relevant to a valuation of and comparable to DCM. The selected asset
managers included: Alternative Asset Managers
Absolute Capital Management Holdings Limited BlueBay Asset Management PLC Charlemagne Capital Limited Fortress Investment Group LLC Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co.
Inc. Man Group PLC Partners Group Holding RAB Capital PLC Traditional Asset Managers
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. Amvescap PLC BlackRock Inc. Calamos Asset Management, Inc. Cohen & Steers, Inc. Eaton Vance Corp. 46
Federated Investors, Inc. Franklin Resources, Inc. GAMCO Investors, Inc. Janus Capital Group Inc. Legg Mason, Inc. Nuveen Investments, Inc. Resource America, Inc. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. Waddell & Reed Financial,
Inc. W.P. Stewart & Co. Ltd. The historical financial data used
was based on publicly available financial statements for each of the selected asset managers. Estimates of earnings and EBITDA for
the selected asset managers
were based on consensus estimates provided by First Call. Bear Stearns applied a range of
multiples based on the comparable company analysis to corresponding financial data for DCM, including estimates provided by
DCMs management, excluding
cost and revenue synergies. The comparable company analysis indicated various implied reference ranges of DCMs total equity
value. In addition, Bear Stearns also added to these implied reference
ranges the DCF value of the cost and revenue synergies. The following table summarizes the results of the comparable company
analysis: Valuation
Metric
Comparable
Implied Reference Range of Total
Excluding Cost and
Including Cost and Enterprise Value/2006
EBITDA
12.0 13.0x
$
344.5 $373.9
$
590.0 $654.6 Enterprise Value/2007
EBITDA
11.0 12.0x
$
339.0 $370.6
$
584.5 $651.4 Enterprise Value/2008
EBITDA
9.0 10.0x
$
542.3 $603.6
$
787.8 $884.3 Price/2006 Net
Income
15.0 17.0x
$
283.2 $320.9
$
528.7 $601.7 Price/2007 Net
Income
14.0 15.0x
$
286.0 $306.5
$
531.5 $587.2 Price/2008 Net
Income
11.0 12.0x
$
478.4 $521.9
$
723.9 $802.6 Comparable Precedent Transaction
Analysis. Bear Stearns reviewed and compared publicly available information and transaction multiples for certain completed
merger and acquisition
transactions that Bear Stearns deemed to be generally comparable to the proposed Merger. Bear Stearns also noted that such
transactions were of limited applicability in valuing DCM. For each
transaction, ratios were based on the most recent publicly reported data prior to the announcement of the transaction, in each case
to the extent available. Bear Stearns applied a range of
multiples based on the comparable precedent transaction analysis to corresponding financial data included in the DCM projections,
excluding cost and revenue
synergies. The comparable precedent transaction analysis indicated various implied reference ranges of the value of DCM. In
addition, Bear Stearns also added to these implied reference ranges the
DCF value of the cost and revenue synergies. The following table summarizes the results of the comparable precedent transaction
analysis: Valuation
Metric
Precedent
Implied Reference Range of Total
Excluding Cost and
Including Cost and Enterprise Value/LTM
EBITDA
11.0 12.5x
$
315.0 $359.2
$
560.5 $639.9 Other Considerations The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complex process and involves various judgments and determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant assumptions
and financial analyses and the
application of those methods to the particular circumstances involved. Such an opinion is therefore 47
Company
Trading Multiples
Equity Value (in millions)
Revenue Synergies
Revenue Synergies
Transaction
Multiples
Equity Value (in millions)
Revenue Synergies
Revenue Synergies
not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description, and taking
portions of the analyses set out above, without considering the analysis as a whole, would in the view of Bear Stearns,
create an incomplete and misleading picture of the processes underlying the analyses considered in rendering the Bear Stearns
opinion. Bear Stearns based its analysis on assumptions that it deemed
reasonable, including assumptions concerning general business and economic conditions and industry-specific factors. Bear Stearns
did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or
factor, whether positive or negative, considered in isolation, supported or failed to support the Bear Stearns opinion. In arriving
at its opinion, Bear Stearns considered the results of all its analyses
and did not attribute any particular weight to any one analysis or factor. Bear Stearns arrived at its ultimate opinion based on
the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and
believes that the totality of the factors considered and analyses performed by Bear Stearns in connection with its opinion operated
collectively to support its determination as to the fairness of the
aggregate merger consideration to be paid by DFR. The analyses performed by Bear Stearns, particularly those based on estimates and
projections, are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. None of the public
companies used in the comparable company analysis described above are
identical to DCM, and none of the precedent transactions used in the comparable precedent transaction analysis described above are
identical to the proposed Merger. Accordingly, an analysis of
publicly traded comparable companies and comparable precedent transactions is not mathematical; rather it involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning the differences in financial and
operating characteristics of the companies and precedent transactions and other factors that could affect the value of DCM and DFR
and the public trading values of the companies and precedent
transactions to which they were compared. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which any
securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the future. The Bear Stearns opinion was just
one of the many factors taken into consideration by the Special Committee. Consequently, Bear Stearns analysis should not be
viewed as determinative of the
decision of the Special Committee with respect to the fairness of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid, from a financial
point of view, by DFR. Pursuant to the terms of Bear
Stearns engagement letter, DFR has agreed to pay Bear Stearns a fee equal to $2.4 million upon the completion of the Merger
($750,000 of which was payable
upon the Special Committees request that Bear Stearns render a fairness opinion and Bear Stearns advising DFR that it is
prepared to render a fairness opinion). In addition, DFR has agreed to
reimburse Bear Stearns for certain expenses and to indemnify Bear Stearns against certain liabilities arising out of Bear
Stearns engagement. Bear Stearns has previously been engaged (and may be
engaged) by DCM, Trian Fund Management, L.P., or Trian, an affiliate of Mr. Peltz, and/or Triarc and their respective affiliates,
in each case to provide investment banking, brokerage and other
services on matters unrelated to the proposed Merger, for which Bear Stearns has received (or expects to receive) customary fees.
Bear Stearns may seek to provide DFR, DCM, Trian and/or Triarc
and their respective affiliates with certain investment banking and other services unrelated to the proposed Merger in the
future. Consistent with applicable legal
and regulatory requirements, Bear Stearns has adopted policies and procedures to establish and maintain the independence of Bear
Stearns research departments
and personnel. As a result, Bear Stearns research analysts may hold views, make statements or investment recommendations
and/or publish research reports with respect to DFR, DCM, Triarc, the
proposed Merger and other participants in the proposed Merger that differ from the views of Bear Stearns investment banking
personnel. In the ordinary course of business,
Bear Stearns and its affiliates may actively trade for its own account and for the accounts of its customers equity and debt
securities, bank debt and/or other
financial instruments issued by DFR, DCM, Trian and/or Triarc and their respective affiliates, as well as derivatives thereof, and,
accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in such
securities, bank debt, financial instruments and derivatives. 48
The Special Committee retained
Houlihan Lokey to render a written opinion as to the fairness to us, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid
by us in connection with the
Merger. On April 19, 2007, Houlihan Lokey
delivered its written opinion to the Special Committee and the full Board that, as of April 19, 2007, and based upon and subject to
the assumptions, factors,
qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, the consideration, consisting of (i) $145 million in cash minus the
Closing Debt (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (ii) $145 million in
shares of our common stock, based upon the average of the closing price of our common stock for the 10 trading days immediately
preceding the execution of the Merger Agreement, to be paid by
us in connection with the Merger, taken in the aggregate, is fair to us from a financial point of view. See The
MergerOpinion of Houlihan Lokey. The full text of the written
opinion of Houlihan Lokey, dated April 19, 2007, which sets forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
qualifications and limitations on
the review undertaken by Houlihan Lokey in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement. You are urged to,
and should, read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.
Houlihan Lokey provided its opinion for the information and assistance of the Special Committee in connection with its
consideration of the Merger. The Houlihan Lokey opinion addresses only the
fairness to us, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid by us in the Merger, as of the date of the opinion.
The Houlihan Lokey opinion does not address any other aspect or
implication of the Merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with the Merger or
otherwise and does not constitute a recommendation as to how any
holder of our securities should act or vote with respect to the Merger. The opinion also does not
address
the underlying business decision to effect the Merger or the Special Committees or the Boards decision to recommend
the Merger or the Merger Agreement to our stockholders, the terms of any arrangements, understandings,
agreements or documents related to, or the form or any other portion or aspect of, the Merger or otherwise, except as expressly
addressed in the
opinion, the fairness of any portion or aspect of the
Merger to the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of us or Deerfield, or any other party other than
those set forth in
the opinion, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to
any alternative business strategies that might exist for us, Deerfield or any other party or the effect of any other transaction in
which we,
Deerfield or any other party might engage, the tax or legal consequences of the Merger to
either us, Deerfield, our and their respective security holders, or any other party, the fairness of any portion or aspect of the
Merger to any one class or group of our or any other partys security holders vis-à-vis any other class or group of our
or such other partys security
holders (including without limitation the allocation of any consideration amongst or within such classes or groups of security
holders), whether or not Deerfield, their security holders
or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value in the Merger, or the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of
us, Deerfield or any other participant in the Merger under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance or similar
matters, and no opinion, counsel or interpretation was
intended in matters that require legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar professional advice. Houlihan Lokey
relied, with our
consent, on the assessment by us, the Special Committee, and Deerfield and their respective advisers, as to all legal, regulatory,
accounting, insurance and tax matters with respect to us, Deerfield and
the Merger. 49
Houlihan Lokey has no obligation to update or
reaffirm its opinion. Houlihan Lokey did not, and was not requested by the Special Committee, us or any other person to make any
recommendations as to the form or amount of consideration to be paid by us in connection with the Merger. Furthermore, Houlihan
Lokey did not negotiate any portion of the Merger Agreement or
the Merger, initiate any discussions with third parties with respect to the Merger or advise the Special Committee or the Board
with respect to alternatives to the Merger. In the ordinary course of business,
certain of Houlihan Lokeys affiliates, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests, may acquire,
hold or sell, long or short positions,
or trade or otherwise effect transactions, in our debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and
other obligations) of, or investments in, us, or any other party that may
be involved in the Merger and their respective affiliates or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the
Merger. In connection with rendering its
opinion, Houlihan Lokey, among other things:
reviewed our annual report to stockholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006; reviewed Deerfields audited financial
statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, draft unaudited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December
31, 2006, and quarterly income statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2006, which
Deerfields management has identified as being the most current
information available; spoke with certain members of our management
regarding our operations, financial condition, future prospects and projected operations and performance and regarding the Merger,
and spoke
with representatives of our other investment bankers and counsel regarding us, the Merger and related matters; spoke with certain members of the management of
Deerfield regarding the operations, financial condition, future prospects and projected operations and performance of
Deerfield and regarding
the Merger, and spoke with representatives of Deerfields investment bankers and counsel regarding Deerfield, the Merger
and related matters; reviewed the following agreements and
documents;
(a)
the final draft of the Merger Agreement that was executed on April 19, 2007; (b) Deerfields disclosure letter related to
the Merger Agreement, dated April 19, 2007; (c) the Confidential Memorandum regarding Deerfield,
prepared by Deerfields investment banker, dated October, 2006; (d) the management agreement by and among DFR and
DCM, dated December 23, 2004;
reviewed financial forecasts and projections prepared as of April 18, 2007 by our management with respect to us for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008; reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of March 30, 2007 by our management with respect to us under a no capital raising scenario for the fiscal years ended
December 31,
2007 and December 31, 2008; reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of April 18, 2007 by the management of Deerfield with respect to Deerfield for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007
through
December 31, 2010; reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of March 19, 2007 and April 18, 2007 by the management of Deerfield with respect to our company assuming the completion
of the
Merger for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, as well as the analyses and forecasts of certain
cost savings, operating efficiencies, revenue effects, strategic
benefits and other synergies expected by our management and the management of Deerfield to result from the Merger
(synergies); reviewed historical and projected information
about Deerfields assets under management and the related management and incentive fees; 50
reviewed the historical market prices and
trading volume for our publicly traded securities since our initial public offering and the publicly traded securities of certain
publicly traded companies
which Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant; reviewed certain other publicly available
financial data for certain companies that Houlihan Lokey deemed comparable to us and Deerfield and publicly available transaction
prices paid in other
transactions that Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant; and conducted such other financial studies, analyses
and inquiries as Houlihan Lokey deemed appropriate. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all data, material and other information furnished, or
otherwise made available, to
Houlihan Lokey, discussed with or reviewed by Houlihan Lokey, or publicly available, and did not assume any responsibility with
respect to such data, material and other information. In addition, we
and Deerfield have advised Houlihan Lokey, and Houlihan Lokey assumed, that the financial forecasts and projections reviewed
by Houlihan Lokey were reasonably prepared in good faith on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of such managements as to our future financial results and
condition and that of Deerfield and our company assuming the completion of
the Merger, and Houlihan Lokey expresses no opinion with respect to such forecasts and projections or the assumptions on
which they are based. Furthermore, upon the advice of our management
and the management of Deerfield, Houlihan Lokey assumed that the synergies resulting from the Merger will be realized in the
amounts and the time periods indicated thereby, and that the analyses
and forecasts with respect to the synergies reviewed by Houlihan Lokey were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of our management and the
management of Deerfield. Houlihan Lokey expresses no opinion with respect to such analyses, forecasts or synergies resulting from
the Merger or the assumptions on which they are based. Houlihan
Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there has been no material change in the assets, liabilities,
financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of us
or of Deerfield since the date of the most recent financial statements provided to Houlihan Lokey, and that there was no
information or facts that would make any of the information reviewed by
Houlihan Lokey incomplete or misleading. Houlihan Lokey did not consider any aspect or implication of any transaction to which we
or Deerfield is a party (other than as specifically described
herein with respect to the Merger). Houlihan Lokey relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to the agreements identified in
the fifth bullet point above
and all other related documents and instruments that are referred to therein were true and correct, (b) each party to all such
agreements will fully and timely perform all of the covenants and
agreements required to be performed by such party, (c) all conditions to the completion of the Merger will be satisfied without
waiver thereof, and (d) the Merger will be consummated in a timely
manner in accordance with the terms described in the agreements and documents provided to Houlihan Lokey, without any
amendments or modifications thereto or any adjustment to the aggregate
consideration (through offset, reduction, indemnity claims, post-closing purchase price adjustments or otherwise) or any other
financial term of the Merger. Houlihan Lokey also relied upon and
assumed, without independent verification, that (1) the Merger will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with
all applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations, and
(2) all governmental, regulatory, and other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Merger will be obtained
and that no delay, limitations, restrictions or conditions will be
imposed or amendments, modifications or waivers made that would result in the disposition of any material portion of our or
Deerfields assets, or otherwise have an adverse effect on us or Deerfield
or any expected benefits of the Merger. In addition, Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that
the final forms of the draft documents identified above would
not differ in any material respect from such draft documents. In connection with its opinion,
Houlihan Lokey was not requested to make, and did not make, any physical inspection or independent appraisal or evaluation of any of
our assets, properties or
liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) or those of Deerfield or of 51
any other party, nor was Houlihan Lokey provided with any such appraisal or
evaluation. Houlihan Lokey expressed no opinion regarding the liquidation value of any entity. Houlihan Lokey
undertook no independent analysis of any potential or actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or other
contingent liabilities, to which we or Deerfield are or may be a party or
are or may be subject, or of any governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to
which we or Deerfield are or may be a party or are or may be subject
and, at our direction and with our consent, Houlihan Lokey made no assumption concerning, and therefore did not consider, the
potential effects of any such litigation, claims or investigations or
possible assertion of claims, outcomes or damages arising out of any such matters. Houlihan Lokeys opinion was
based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Houlihan Lokey as
of, April 19, 2007. Houlihan
Lokey did not undertake, and is under no obligation, to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw its opinion, or otherwise comment on
or consider events occurring after the date of its opinion. In connection with its presentation
to the Special Committee on April 19, 2007, Houlihan Lokey advised the Special Committee that, in evaluating the fairness of the
consideration to be paid by
us in the proposed transaction, Houlihan Lokey performed a variety of detailed financial analyses with respect to us and
Deerfield. Summary of Financial
Analyses Performed by Houlihan Lokey The following is a summary of the
material financial analyses used by Houlihan Lokey in connection with providing its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion
involves various
determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial and comparative analysis and the application of those
methods to the particular circumstances and is not, therefore,
readily susceptible to summary description. Furthermore, in arriving at its opinion, Houlihan Lokey made qualitative judgments as
to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor.
Accordingly, Houlihan Lokey believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that consideration of any portion of such
analyses and factors, without consideration of all analyses and
factors as a whole, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In its analyses, Houlihan
Lokey made numerous assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of DFR and Deerfield.
Any estimates contained in these analyses were not
necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than those suggested by these analyses. In addition, analyses relating
to the value of businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses actually may be
sold. In order to evaluate the fairness
to DFR, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid by DFR in connection with the Merger, Houlihan Lokey
evaluated the enterprise value
ranges from operations (i.e., the equity value, plus all of its interest-bearing debt less excess cash and non-operating assets,
referred to herein as enterprise value), and the value of the common equity
of Deerfield (referred to herein as market value of equity, or MVE), relative to the Merger consideration. In order to determine the
enterprise and common equity value ranges of Deerfield, Houlihan Lokey utilized the following financial analyses based upon its view
that they are appropriate and
reflective of generally accepted valuation methodologies given the availability of information regarding selected publicly-traded
investment management companies, the availability of forecasts from
management of Deerfield, and the availability of information regarding transactions involving investment management companies, as
applicable. Each analysis provides an indication of the standalone
enterprise value of Deerfield. No single analysis was considered to be more appropriate than any other analysis, and therefore
Houlihan Lokey considered all of the aforementioned analyses in
arriving at its conclusion. Houlihan Lokey conducted a selected
market multiple analysis, a selected transaction analysis and a discounted cash flow analysis for Deerfield, an earnings per share
(EPS) accretion / dilution 52
analysis and a public market trading analysis for DFR. The following analyses
assume, based on management estimates, that none of DFR or Deerfield has any material contingent liabilities. Market Multiple Analysis.
This analysis provides an indication of enterprise value derived from multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, or EBITDA, and an
indication of market value of equity derived from multiples of net income. No portion of Deerfields net cash position (total
cash net of debt) as of the date of the opinion has been considered excess
cash, and in the absence of any other non operating asset or liability, Deerfields enterprise value amounted to its market
value of equity. Houlihan Lokeys selection of
market multiples for Deerfield was based upon its analysis of financial information of certain selected publicly-traded investment
management companies listed
below. Houlihan Lokeys analysis of selected companies included both qualitative considerations and quantitative
considerations such as size, profitability, growth history and prospects. However, no
single factor was determinative in these analyses. Houlihan Lokey calculated certain
financial ratios of these selected investment management companies based on the most recent publicly available information regarding
the companies, including
the multiples of enterprise value to EBITDA and market value of equity to net income, for the latest twelve-month period as of the
date of the opinion, or LTM and for the projected fiscal year
ending December 31, 2007, or 2007E. Houlihan Lokey reviewed
publicly-available financial information of the following selected publicly traded investment management companies: Man Group Plc,
Fortress Investment Group LLC,
Partners Group Holding, Blue Bay Asset Management Plc, RAB Capital Plc, Absolute Capital Management Holdings Ltd., Charlemagne
Capital Limited, WP Stewart & Co. Ltd. and Resource
America Inc. The projections used in Houlihan Lokeys analysis of these selected investment management companies were based on
Bloomberg Earnings Estimates (BEst) and public analyst reports. The analysis indicated that the
multiples for the selected publicly traded investment management companies as of approximately April 16, 2007 were as
follows:
Enterprise Value/
Market Value
LTM(1)(2)
2007E
LTM(1)(2)
2007E Low
9.7x
11.2x
12.0x
7.9x High
26.0x
23.3x
26.5x
27.3x Median
16.0x
14.6x
18.9x
16.7x Mean
16.4x
16.1x
18.7x
18.6x
(1)
The low, high, median and mean indications for the LTM period exclude Fortress Investment Group LLC and Partners Group
Holding. (2) The calculated LTM multiples for the selected
publicly traded investment management companies correspond to the LTM period or the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as
available. For purposes of determining the
appropriate level of EBITDA and net income for Deerfield, Houlihan Lokey utilized historical financial statements and projected
financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007, provided by Deerfields management. These financial results were adjusted for the
following nonrecurring or noncomparable costs or gains: non-recurring
duplicate rent, one-time advisory costs, D&O insurance expense, moving expenses, non recurring compensation costs, expense
rationalization, non-cash asset impairment cost and one-time incentive fees
pertaining to deals redeemed before maturity. Houlihan Lokey derived
Deerfields enterprise value and market value of equity by applying selected EBITDA and net income multiples to Deerfields
adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net
income results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as well as to projected results for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2007. 53
EBITDA
of Equity/
Net Income
(1) With respect to enterprise value to EBITDA multiples, Houlihan Lokey selected multiples in the range of 9.5x to 10.5x for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and 8.5x to 9.5x for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. (2) With respect to market value of equity to
net income multiples, Houlihan Lokey selected multiples in the range of 14.0x to 16.0x for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
and 12.5x to
14.5x for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. Based on this market multiple
analysis, the indicated market value of equity range for Deerfield was $287.0 million to $324.0 million. Selected Transaction
Analysis. This analysis provides an indication of the value that an acquirer may be willing to pay in a transaction as a multiple
of certain of the target companys operating
and financial metrics such as EBITDA and pretax income. Houlihan Lokey reviewed publicly available financial information of the
following selected merger and acquisition transactions involving
investment management companies, announced between January 1, 2002 and March 31, 2007:
Date Acquirer Target
12/19/2006 Nomura Holdings
Inc. Fortress Investment Group
LLC
11/07/2006 Lehman
Brothers BlueBay Asset
Management
08/17/2006 Kohlberg
Capital Katonah Debt
Advisors
02/21/2006 Schroders
PLC NewFinance Capital
LLP
12/20/2005 Bank of
Ireland Guggenheim Alternative
Asset Management
06/23/2005 Legg Mason,
Inc. Permal
Group
06/20/2005 RAB Capital
Plc Cross Asset
Management
09/27/2004 JPMorgan Highbridge Capital
Management, LLC
06/28/2004 Triarc
Companies Deerfield Capital
Management
12/30/2003 Annaly Capital Management,
Inc. Fixed Income Discount
Advisory Company
11/25/2003 Man Group
Plc BlueCrest Capital
Management
05/23/2002 Man Group
Plc RMF Investment
Group The analysis showed that the
multiples exhibited by the investment management companies involved in these selected transactions as of the announcement date of
each transaction were as
follows:
Enterprise Value to
Market Value of Low
11.1x
3.3x High
19.0x
20.8x Median
14.9x
11.9x Mean
15.0x
12.5x Houlihan Lokey derived indications
of Deerfields enterprise value and market value of equity by applying selected multiples to Deerfields latest twelve
months EBITDA and pretax income
adjusted results. Houlihan Lokey selected enterprise value to EBITDA multiples in the range of 11.0x to 13.0x and market value of
equity to pretax income multiples in the range of 12.0x to 14.0x.
The indicated market value of equity from this method was $343.0 million to $403.0 million for Deerfield. Discounted Cash Flow
Analysis. This analysis provides an indication of value for a company based on its ability to achieve its projected financial
results. This analysis utilizes the projected cash
flows of Deerfield discounted back to present value based on a range of risk-adjusted discount rates. For purposes of its discounted cash
flow analysis, Houlihan Lokey utilized certain financial projections of Deerfield that were prepared by Deerfield management for the
fiscal years ending
December 31, 2007 through 2010 (referred to as the projection period). In order to determine the 54
Announced
EBITDA
Equity to
Pretax Income
enterprise value of Deerfield, Houlihan Lokey first derived adjusted free cash
flow by adjusting projected EBITDA for stock-based compensation and net capital expenditures, as well as working
capital requirements and taxes. Houlihan Lokey used the terminal
multiple approach to determine the separate value of Deerfield at the end of the projection period. In the terminal multiple
approach, Houlihan Lokey
evaluated the aggregate value of all estimated future cash flows subsequent to the projection period (referred to herein as the
terminal value) by multiplying Deerfields estimated EBITDA in the
final projection year (2010) by terminal EBITDA multiples ranging from 6.0x to 8.0x. Houlihan Lokey selected a range of terminal
EBITDA multiples based on the range of enterprise value to
EBITDA multiples calculated in the respective Market Multiple and Selected Transaction Analyses, as applicable. Houlihan Lokey then
applied risk-adjusted discount rates to Deerfields projected
adjusted free cash flows in order to discount Deerfields projected future cash flows to a present value. Houlihan Lokey
applied the risk-adjusted discount rates in the range of 14.5% to 16.5%. Deerfields enterprise value
was calculated as the sum of (i) the present value of free cash flows for the period April 1, 2007 through December 31, 2010 and (ii)
the present value of Deerfields
terminal value. Based on this discounted cash flow
analysis, the indicated market value of equity of Deerfield ranged from $593.0 million to $788.0 million. Indications of Deerfields
Equity Value. Based upon the above analyses, Houlihan Lokey determined indications of ranges of equity values for Deerfield as
follows (rounded):
Low
High
(in millions) Market Multiple
Analysis
$
287.0
$
324.0 Selected Transaction
Analysis
$
343.0
$
403.0 Discounted Cash Flow
Analysis
$
593.0
$
788.0 Analysis of the Implied
Consideration Paid. Houlihan Lokey reviewed the historical prices of the common stock of DFR in relation with the following group
of companies: CapitalSource Inc,
KKR Financial Corp, Resource Capital Corp, Annaly Capital Management Inc, Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp., Capstead Mortgage Corp,
Luminent Mortgage Capital Inc., MFA Mortgage
Investments Inc, Apollo Investment Corp. and Ares Capital Corp. In addition, Houlihan Lokey reviewed the price-to-earnings,
price-to-tangible book and dividend yield multiples implied by DFRs
stock closing price immediately prior to the date of its opinion, the prior 90-day highest and the prior 90-day lowest closing
prices, in relation with the trading multiples of the aforementioned
companies. Houlihan Lokey analyzed the
consideration paid by DFR in connection with the Merger, based upon a payment of $145.0 million in cash, a dividend payment of $6.0
million minus the
assumption of $2.0 million of debt and approximately 9,635,000 DFR common stock shares, and using DFRs 10-day average closing
price immediately prior to the date of the opinion, as well as
DFRs highest, lowest and average stock price for the last 90 days, and market analysts 12-month target price,
discounted to a current date. Based on the foregoing, the consideration ranged from
$284.6 million to $312.7 million.
10-Trading
90-Day
90-Day
90-Day
Target
(in millions, except per share data) DFR Per Share
Value
$
15.05
$
16.99
$
14.07
$
15.63
$
15.15 Shares to be
Issued
9.6
9.6
9.6
9.6
9.6 Aggregate Stock
Consideration
145.0
163.7
135.6
150.6
146.0 Aggregate Cash
Payment
145.0
145.0
145.0
145.0
145.0 Plus:
Dividend
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0 Less: Debt
(2.0
)
(2.0
)
(2.0
)
(2.0
)
(2.0
) Total Adjusted
Consideration Paid
$
294.0
$
312.7
$
284.6
$
299.6
$
295.0 55
Day
Average
High
Low
Average
Price
Earnings Per Share Accretion / Dilution
Analysis. Using financial forecasts and synergy projections for DFR and Deerfield provided by management, Houlihan Lokey reviewed
the pro forma
effects of the Merger including comparisons of estimated earnings per share under United States generally accepted accounting
principles (referred to below as GAAP EPS), and cash earnings per
share (referred to below as Cash EPS) of the resulting combined company to the stand-alone projections for DFR. For purposes of
this analysis, Houlihan Lokey analyzed the projected GAAP EPS
for 2007 and the projected Cash EPS for 2007 as if the Merger were completed as of January 1, 2007. The analysis indicated that in
fiscal year 2007, and on a pro forma basis, the Merger could be dilutive to DFRs projected GAAP EPS and accretive to its Cash
EPS. The analysis also indicated
that in fiscal year 2008, the Merger could be accretive to DFRs projected GAAP EPS and projected Cash EPS. The preparation of a fairness
opinion is a complex analytical process involving various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial
analysis and the application of
those methods to the particular circumstances and is therefore not readily susceptible to summary description. In reaching its
conclusion as to the fairness of the consideration to be paid by us in the
Merger and in its presentation to the Special Committee, Houlihan Lokey did not rely on any single analysis or factor described
above, assign relative weights to the analyses or factors considered by
it, or make any conclusion as to how the results of any given analysis, taken alone, supported its opinion. Accordingly, Houlihan
Lokey believes that its analyses and summary set forth herein must
be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors considered by it, without considering all
analyses and factors, or portions of this summary, could create an
incomplete, misleading and/or inaccurate view of the processes underlying the conclusions set forth in the Houlihan Lokey opinion.
In its analysis, Houlihan Lokey made numerous assumptions with
respect to us, Deerfield, the Merger, industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other
matters. The estimates contained in such analyses are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be more or less favorable than suggested by such
analyses. Additionally, analyses relating to the value of our business
and that of Deerfield are not appraisals. Accordingly, such analyses and estimates are inherently subject to substantial
uncertainty. The Special Committee retained
Houlihan Lokey based upon Houlihan Lokeys experience in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with
transactions such as the Merger and
because Houlihan Lokey is a nationally recognized investment banking firm that is continually engaged in providing financial
advisory services and rendering fairness opinions in connection with
mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and business and securities valuations for a variety of regulatory and planning
purposes, recapitalizations, financial restructurings, and private placements
of debt and equity securities. We have agreed to pay a fee of
$800,000 to Houlihan Lokey in connection with its rendering of its opinion, payable $200,000 upon the execution of the engagement
letter with Houlihan Lokey,
$400,000 upon the delivery of Houlihan Lokeys opinion and $200,000 upon the earlier of the completion of the Merger or the
termination of Houlihan Lokeys engagement. Except as described in
the preceding sentence, no portion of Houlihan Lokeys fee is contingent upon the conclusions reached in its opinion or the
completion of the Merger. We have also agreed to reimburse Houlihan
Lokey for expenses and indemnify Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates and agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the federal securities laws, relating to or arising out of their
engagement. 56
MATERIAL UNITED
STATES FEDERAL The following summary discusses the
material federal income tax consequences of the Merger and our ownership of Deerfield and DCM. This summary is based on current law,
is for general
information only and is not tax advice. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code,
applicable Treasury Regulations, judicial authority, and
administrative rulings and practice, all as currently in effect and which are subject to change or differing interpretations,
possibly with retroactive effect. The U.S. federal income tax laws
are complex, and your circumstances may affect your tax consequences. Consequently, you are urged to consult your own tax advisors as
to the specific tax
consequences to you of the Merger, including the applicability and effect of federal, state and local or foreign income and other
tax laws to your particular circumstances. Tax Consequences of the Merger to
our Stockholders As our stockholders are not
receiving any consideration or exchanging any of their outstanding securities in connection with the Merger, it is not expected that
the Merger will result in the
recognition of taxable income by our stockholders for federal income tax purposes. Tax Consequences of Our Ownership of
Deerfield and DCM We elected to be taxed as a REIT
under the federal income tax laws commencing with our taxable year ended on December 31, 2004. We believe that, commencing with such
taxable year, we
have been organized and have operated in such a manner so as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the federal income tax laws,
and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. In
connection with this proxy statement, Hunton & Williams LLP has delivered an opinion to us to the effect that, taking into
account the consequences of the Merger, our current and proposed method
of operations will enable us to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for our taxable year ending December 31, 2007 and
thereafter. This opinion will not be binding on the Internal Revenue
Service or the courts. The opinion of Hunton & Williams LLP relies on certain assumptions (including an assumption regarding
the accuracy of an opinion of another counsel) and on customary
representations made by us about factual matters relating to our organization and operation. In addition, Hunton & Williams
LLPs opinion is based on existing federal income tax law governing
qualification as a REIT, which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Moreover, our qualification and taxation as
a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis,
through actual annual operating results, certain qualification tests set forth in the federal tax laws. Hunton & Williams LLP
will not review our compliance with those tests on a continuing basis.
Accordingly, no assurance can be given that our actual results of operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such
requirements. As a REIT, we are subject to
certain tests with respect to the nature of our assets, the ownership of our outstanding stock, the amount of our distributions and
the sources of our income,
including the 75% and 95% gross income tests. The 75% gross income test generally requires that a REIT derive at least 75% of its
gross income each year from rents from real property, interest on
mortgages and certain real estate-related income. The 95% gross income test generally requires that a REIT derive at least 95% of
its gross income each year from income qualifying for the 75%
gross income test and certain types of passive investment income, including interest and dividends. Deerfields income
consists solely of income earned by DCM, which consists primarily of advisory
fee income. That advisory fee income is not qualifying income for either the 75% or 95% gross income test. If we were to hold our
interest in Deerfield and DCM directly or through a pass-through
subsidiary, the advisory fee income would harm our ability to satisfy the 75% and 95% gross income tests. A REIT, however, may own
stock and securities in one or more TRSs that may earn
income that would not be qualifying income if earned directly by the parent REIT. Accordingly, after the Merger, we will hold our
interest in Deerfield and DCM through domestic TRSs. As a
result, the income from Deerfield and DCM will not be included in our gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income
tests until such time as those TRSs make a dividend 57
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
payment to us. Any such dividend income received from the TRSs that own
Deerfield and DCM will be treated as qualifying income for the 95% gross income test, but will be nonqualifying income
for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Because Deerfield and DCM will be
owned by domestic TRSs, the income from Deerfield and DCM will be fully subject to federal, state and local income tax at regular
corporate rates. The
TRS rules also impose a 100% excise tax on certain transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT that are not conducted on an
arms-length basis. In addition, the TRS rules limit the
deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of
corporate taxation. Overall, no more than 20% of the
value of a REITs assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. Because the value of Deerfield and DCM will
increase the value of our TRSs,
our ability to make future investments in TRSs may be limited by the 20% value limitation. 58
DESCRIPTION
OF THE MATERIAL AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE MERGER The following summary describes
the material provisions of:
the Merger Agreement among DFR, Merger Sub, Deerfield and Triarc, as sellers representative, dated April 19,
2007; the registration rights agreement among DFR,
Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Triarc, and Triarc, as sellers representative, dated April 19, 2007;
and the escrow agreement to be entered into among
DFR, Triarc, as sellers representative, and the escrow agent. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, the registration rights agreement and the escrow agreement,
copies of which are attached as Annex
A, Annex D and Annex E, respectively, to, and are incorporated by reference in, this proxy statement. The provisions of the
agreements are extensive and not easily summarized. Accordingly, this
summary may not contain all of the information about those agreements that is important to you. We encourage you to read the
agreements carefully in their entirety for a more complete understanding
of the agreements. The foregoing agreements and
this summary have been included with this proxy statement to provide you with information regarding the terms of the agreements, and
are not intended to modify or
supplement any factual disclosures about DFR or Deerfield in any public reports filed with the SEC. In particular, the agreements
and this summary are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon
as, disclosures regarding any facts and circumstances relating to DFR or Deerfield. The representations and warranties contained in
the Merger Agreement have been negotiated with the principal purpose
of establishing the circumstances in which a party may have the right not to close the Merger if the representations and warranties
of another party prove to be untrue due to a change in circumstance or
otherwise. Further, the representations and warranties allocate risk between the parties, rather than establishing matters as fact
and may also be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different
from those generally applicable to stockholders. The Effect of the Merger.
Upon completion of the Merger:
Merger Sub, will merge with and into Deerfield; the separate limited liability company existence
of Merger Sub will cease; and Deerfield will become the surviving limited
liability company and our indirect wholly owned subsidiary. When this occurs, all of the
property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises, debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties
of Deerfield and Merger Sub will vest in
Deerfield and DFR, through certain of its subsidiaries, will own all of the membership interests of Deerfield. The Completion of the
Merger. The Merger will be completed when articles of merger have been duly prepared and executed by Deerfield and Merger Sub,
and are delivered to the Secretary of
State of the State of Illinois for filing. This will occur within seven business days after the satisfaction or waiver of the
closing conditions in the Merger Agreement, which are further described below. Merger Consideration. When
the Merger is completed, and as consideration for the Merger, the membership interests of Deerfields pre-closing members will
be cancelled and converted into the
right to receive the following in the aggregate:
9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock, of which 2,504,817 shares will be set aside in an escrow account to satisfy any
post-closing indemnification obligations of Deerfield (with any shares
remaining after the termination or satisfaction of such obligations to be distributed to the holders of Deerfield membership
interests);
59
$145 million in cash, less:
the principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest outstanding, if any, under a revolving note of Deerfield as of the close
of business on the day immediately prior to the closing; the amount of any unpaid expenses incurred by
Deerfield and Triarc (incurred on behalf of all Deerfield members generally) in connection with the proposed Merger and certain other
contemplated transactions; and an amount equal to $250,000 to fund any expenses
incurred by Triarc as the sellers representative (with any amounts remaining after the satisfaction of such expenses to be
distributed to the
holders of Deerfield membership interests). The consideration for the Merger
will be allocated to each member of Deerfield in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement. Upon completion of the Merger, the
membership interests of Merger Sub that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the completion of the Merger will be
cancelled and converted
into membership interests of Deerfield. In addition, the Merger Agreement
allows Deerfield, prior to the completion of the Merger, to distribute to its members an amount of cash equal to approximately $6.0
million plus amounts for
taxes relating to pre-closing periods minus certain debt prepayments, if any, made after the signing date of the Merger Agreement
and prior to the closing date of the Merger, and requires Deerfield,
prior to the completion of the Merger, to distribute to its members 309,038 shares of DFR common stock currently held by DCM. In
addition, if Deerfield is required to make a distribution in
connection with the exercise of a put right by a member of Deerfield, then Deerfield is permitted to do so on a pro rata basis to
all of its members and, to the extent that, as a result of such
distribution, the aggregate distributions to Deerfield members exceeds the amount described in the preceding sentence, the cash
portion of the Merger consideration will be reduced accordingly. Conditions to Completion of the
Merger. The obligation of either party to complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set
forth in the Merger Agreement,
including:
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended; the approval of the issuance of 9,635,192 shares
of our common stock by (i) the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast by the holders of our common stock and (ii) the
affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast by holders of our common stock who are not also affiliates of Deerfield
or Triarc; the determination, if necessary, of the
appropriate allocation among Deerfield members of Merger consideration under the existing Deerfield operating
agreement; the absence of any order suspending, or
threatened or initiated proceeding to suspend, the use of this proxy statement; and the absence of any order enjoining or
prohibiting the Merger from being completed, or any initiated or threatened suit, action, proceeding or investigation of any
governmental authority,
seeking to restrain, prohibit or obtain damages or relief in connection with the completion of the Merger. The obligation of DFR to complete
the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by DFR, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in the Merger
Agreement, including:
the receipt by DFR of debt financing for the aggregate cash consideration payable in the Merger and related fees and
expenses; the receipt by Deerfield of consents to the
assignment or deemed assignment of advisory contracts from clients constituting at least 80% of its assets under
management; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights
exercised by affiliates of Mr. Sachs; the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on Deerfield; 60
the accuracy, as of the date the Merger is
completed, of Deerfields representations and warranties (excluding any materiality or similar qualifiers) contained in the
Merger Agreement, except
as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Deerfield; the performance by Deerfield of all covenants
and agreements contained in the Merger Agreement; the delivery by an officer of Deerfield of a
certificate as to satisfaction of the two preceding conditions; and the execution and delivery by Deerfield of the
escrow agreement. The obligation of Deerfield to
complete the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Deerfield, in its sole discretion, of certain conditions set forth in
the Merger Agreement, including:
the shelf registration statement contemplated by the registration rights agreement having been declared effective by the
SEC; the delivery to Deerfield by DFRs special
tax counsel of a legal opinion as to DFRs continued qualification as a REIT following the completion of the
Merger; the elimination of Triarc from
DFRs corporate name; the authorization for listing by the NYSE of the
9,635,192 shares of our common stock to be issued upon the completion of the Merger; the exemption by DFR of certain Deerfield
members from certain stock ownership limitations; the satisfaction by Triarc of put rights
exercised by affiliates of Mr. Sachs and, should they be exercised, another member of Deerfield; the absence of any occurrence having a material
adverse effect on DFR; the accuracy, as of the date the Merger is
completed, of DFRs representations and warranties (excluding any materiality or similar qualifiers) contained in the Merger
Agreement, except as
would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on DFR; the performance by DFR of all covenants and
agreements contained in the Merger Agreement; the delivery by an officer of DFR of a
certificate as to satisfaction of the two preceding conditions; and the execution and delivery by DFR of the escrow
agreement. Termination of the Merger
Agreement. The Merger Agreement may not be terminated prior to the completion of the Merger, except:
by the mutual agreement of DFR and Deerfield; by either DFR or Deerfield if any of the
conditions to the closing have not been fulfilled by October 19, 2007 (provided a party whose conduct substantially results in the
failure to meet the
relevant condition by October 19, 2007 may not terminate the Merger Agreement for this reason). (See Conditions to the
Completion of the Merger); by either DFR or Deerfield if either a majority
of the votes cast at the Meeting are not cast in favor of the issuance of DFR common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement or a
majority
of the votes cast at the Meeting by stockholders who are not affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc are not cast in favor of the
issuance of DFR common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement; by Deerfield if DFR has not obtained an executed
debt commitment letter by May 19, 2007, which has been extended to May 24, 2007; by either DFR or Deerfield if DFR has not
obtained an executed debt commitment letter by June 18, 2007; 61
by either DFR or Deerfield if a court of
competent jurisdiction or government authority issues an order or takes any final action restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the Merger
and the order or action has become non-appealable; or by either DFR or Deerfield if there has been a
breach by the other of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under the Merger Agreement that is not cured by the earlier
of 20
business days after notice is given or October 19, 2007 and the breach would result in a failure of a closing condition;
provided, that no party that is in material breach of the Merger
Agreement may terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this provision. Conduct of Business Pending the
Merger. Under the Merger Agreement, each of DFR and Deerfield agree that, until the completion of the Merger, it will conduct its
business in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business
organization and goodwill. In addition, during this period,
Deerfield has agreed that, subject to specified exceptions, it and each of its subsidiaries will not, among other things:
amend its current operating agreement; incur, assume or guarantee any additional debt
or grant any lien on any material asset or property, except for borrowings and reborrowings under an identified existing revolving
note facility
or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; issue, deliver, sell, authorize, grant, dispose
of, pledge, encumber, repurchase, redeem or acquire any membership interests or any other capital stock, voting securities or equity
interests of
Deerfield or its subsidiaries; sell or convey any of their material assets,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; change their method of accounting or make,
change or revoke a tax election except as may be required by changes in GAAP or applicable laws; cancel, terminate, amend or enter into any
material contract except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; acquire, merge or consolidate with or into
another individual, corporation or other entity or enter into any joint venture or partnership agreement; adopt, terminate or amend any employee benefit
plan or director compensation subject to specified exceptions; amend any existing employment agreement or
consulting agreement; make any capital expenditures or commitments of
more than $250,000; effect any recapitalization, reclassification,
split or combination in their capitalization; adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation
or dissolution; issue any broadly distributed communication of a
general nature to employees or customers except for communications in the ordinary course of business that do not relate to the
Merger; settle or compromise any material litigation;
and make any cash distribution to the pre-closing
members of Deerfield in excess of approximately $6.0 million plus amounts for taxes relating to pre-closing periods minus certain debt
prepayments, if any, made after the signing date of the Merger Agreement and prior to the closing date of the Merger. In
addition, if Deerfield is required to make a distribution in
connection with the exercise of a put right by a member of Deerfield, then Deerfield is permitted to do so on a pro rata basis
to all of its members and, to the extent that, as a result of such
distribution, the aggregate distributions to Deerfield members exceeds the amount described in the preceding sentence, the cash
portion of the Merger consideration will be reduced
accordingly. In addition, during this period,
DFR has agreed that it and each of its subsidiaries will not, among other things: 62
amend its charter, bylaws or comparable organizational instruments; issue, deliver, sell or grant any DFR
stock; effect any recapitalization; adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation
or dissolution; make, declare or pay any dividends,
distributions or payments with respect to any shares of its capital stock, subject to certain exceptions such as where distributions
are made by a wholly-
owned subsidiary of DFR to DFR or its subsidiaries, or as necessary to maintain DFRs REIT qualification, or other
ordinary cash dividends that are made in the ordinary course consistent
with past practice; and facilitate or approve any transaction in which
all of the holders of the outstanding shares of DFRs common stock are afforded the opportunity to sell or dispose of any of
their shares unless
DFR has used its commercially reasonable efforts to have provision made for Deerfields pre-closing members to include the
proposed merger consideration, or a pro rata portion thereof, in
such transaction on the same terms and conditions. Fees and Expenses. The
Merger Agreement provides that each party will bear its own fees and expenses, other than the following expenses, which are allocated
equally between DFR, on one
hand, and the holders of Deerfield membership interests, on the other hand:
all sales, use, value added, transfer, stamp, registration, documentary, excise, real property transfer or gains or similar
taxes incurred as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; the fees and expenses of Hunton & Williams
LLP in connection with the opinion that they are to issue under the Merger Agreement; and all filing fees required under the HSR
Act. Other Covenants. The Merger
Agreement also contains covenants and agreements that address the following:
access to information and confidentiality; publicity; further actions to complete the
Merger; required consents and notices from governmental
authorities; client consents; this proxy statement, the Meeting, and the
registration and listing of shares of common stock to be issued in the Merger on the NYSE; access to books, records and other information
and cooperation related to Deerfield following the Merger; the termination of related party
transactions; employee matters; release of certain claims against members of
Deerfield; tax matters; the financing of the Merger
transaction; the exemption by DFR of certain Deerfield
members from certain stock ownership limitations; the prohibition of certain actions with respect
to an alternative transaction; and matters related to any transaction related to a
contemplated credit derivatives products company of Deerfield. Representations and
Warranties. The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties by each of DFR, Merger Sub and Deerfield. Each of DFR
and Merger Sub on one hand, and 63
Deerfield, on the other hand, has made these representations and warranties
solely for the benefit of the other. Subject to various specified
exceptions and limitations, each of DFR and Deerfield has made representations and warranties relating to, among other
things:
its corporate organization and similar corporate matters; its capital structure; the accuracy of its previously disclosed
financial statements; the accuracy of the information provided in this
proxy statement; non-contravention; brokers fees; and exclusivity of representations and
warranties. Additionally, subject to various
specified exceptions and limitations, Deerfield has made a number of other representations and warranties relating to, among other
things:
environmental matters; the absence of certain changes or
events; the absence of material undisclosed liabilities
or litigation; material agreements; the assets that are under management and
Deerfields clients; Deerfields compliance with applicable
laws; Deerfields intellectual
property; related party transactions; employee benefit matters; permits; employees and organized labor
matters; insurance matters; compliance with code of ethics and anti-money
laundering policy; payment of taxes; ownership of properties; and bookkeeping matters. Subject to various specified
exceptions and limitations, DFR and Merger Sub have also made other representations and warranties relating to, among other
things:
the accuracy and completeness of certain of DFRs filings with the SEC; DFRs status as a REIT; and debt financing matters; DFRs investment intent; independent investigation of Deerfield;
and the opinions of DFRs financial
advisors. Indemnification Obligations of
Deerfield and DFR. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Deerfield is obligated to indemnify, solely out of amounts held in the
escrow account, DFR against any
and all losses arising from:
any inaccuracy or breach of a representation or warranty of Deerfield under the Merger Agreement; any breach of any covenant of Deerfield under
the Merger Agreement; 64
any unpaid expenses that are related to a
previously contemplated transaction involving Deerfield; any claim by a current Deerfield member alleging
the allocation of the aggregate consideration payable in connection with the Merger violates Deerfields operating
agreement; any and all taxes attributable to Deerfield for
any period ending on or prior to the completion of the Merger and for any straddle period ending on the date that the Merger is
completed;
and any and all expenses relating to the
foregoing. In addition, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, DFR is obligated to indemnify the current holders of Deerfield membership interests against any and all losses arising
from:
any inaccuracy or breach of a representation or warranty of DFR under the Merger Agreement; any breach of any covenant of DFR under the
Merger Agreement; and any and all expenses relating to the
foregoing. The representations and warranties
of each of DFR and Deerfield survive until the first anniversary of the completion of the Merger. Accordingly, after the first
anniversary of the completion of
the Merger, no party will be permitted to initiate a claim for indemnification against losses arising from a breach or inaccuracy
of a representation or warranty. The indemnification obligations of
DFR and Deerfield are also subject to other limitations, including:
in respect of the indemnification obligations of DFR, a cap of $37.7 million; in respect of the indemnification obligations of
Deerfield, a cap equal to the amount of DFR common stock, cash, and all dividends thereon contained in the escrow
fund; in respect to indemnification obligations of
either Deerfield or DFR arising from breaches of representations or warranties (other than certain representations or warranties
relating to
organization, subsidiaries, authorization, enforceability, capitalization, brokers and certain taxes), a deductible of $2.9
million; Deerfield shall have no indemnification
obligations in respect of losses arising from taxes provided for in Deerfields financial statements; and DFR shall have no indemnification obligations in
respect of losses arising from DCMs bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its duties under
the management
agreement prior to the completion of the Merger. Any third party claim which is
covered under an indemnification provision is subject to detailed procedures governing the defense, compromise and settlement of such
claims. The indemnification
provisions are the sole and exclusive remedy for breaches of the Merger Agreement, other than for fraud. As described above, upon the
completion of the Merger, 2,504,817 shares of DFR common stock (representing 13% of the aggregate purchase price) will be issued into
an escrow fund as the sole
recourse available to DFR to satisfy any indemnification obligations of Deerfield. On the first anniversary of the completion of
the Merger, any such shares of DFR common stock remaining in the
escrow fund that are not subject to a DFR indemnification claim will be distributed pro rata to the current holders of Deerfield
membership interests. Amendment of the Merger
Agreement. The Merger Agreement can only be amended if all of the parties to the Merger Agreement agree to do so in writing prior
to closing. In addition, after the Merger
Agreement has been approved by a majority of Deerfields members, no amendment can be made to the Merger Agreement that by law
requires the further
approval of Deerfields members unless such approval is obtained. 65
Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. The
Merger Agreement contains detailed provisions that prohibit Triarc and its subsidiaries from competing with the services that are
provided by
Deerfield. Under these non-compete provisions, Triarc and its subsidiaries must not:
for a period of 2 years after closing, own, manage, operate, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or
control of, or render services to, any business that competes with
the business of Deerfield or its subsidiaries; for a period of 2 years after closing, take any
action with the intention of diverting from Deerfield any funds or investment accounts with respect to which Deerfield is providing
investment
management services; for a period of 2 years after closing, solicit
or attempt to solicit any person to cease doing business with Deerfield; or for a period 3 years after closing, induce,
hire, employ or attempt to hire, solicit or employ any person who provided services to Deerfield or was an employee of Deerfield
during the 18
months preceding such attempted hiring, solicitation or employment by Triarc. Sellers
Representative. In connection with the Merger, Triarc serves as sellers representative for the current members of
Deerfield. As sellers representative, Triarc serves as attorney-in-fact for
Deerfields current members and has responsibilities on behalf of the members of Deerfield under the Merger Agreement, the
registration rights agreement and the escrow agreement. Triarc will not
be held personally liable by the members of Deerfield, other than in the case of willful misconduct or gross negligence, for
actions or omissions of Triarc in its capacity as sellers representative. The Registration Rights
Agreement In connection with the Merger, DFR,
Triarc (as the sellers representative) and Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC (a subsidiary of Triarc) executed a registration
rights agreement dated April 19,
2007. The other members of Deerfield who are to receive shares of DFR common stock as partial consideration for the Merger are also
entitled to execute the registration rights agreement and
receive the registration rights provided therein. Under the registration rights
agreement, DFR has agreed to register shares of DFR common stock issued in connection with the Merger to holders of Deerfield
membership interests as follows.
DFR will prepare and file with the SEC a shelf registration statement covering all of the shares of DFR common
stock issued in connection with the Merger, which, when declared
effective by the SEC, will register such shares for resale or distribution from time to time, on a continuous basis, at the
discretion of the holders of shares of DFR common stock issued in
connection with the Merger. The registration rights agreement requires DFR to maintain the effectiveness of the shelf
registration statement until the earlier of the second anniversary of the
closing and the date that all of the shares of DFR common stock issued in connection with the Merger cease to be
registrable securities under the registration rights agreement. After the expiration of the effectiveness period
of the shelf registration statement, in the event holders representing 20% of the registrable securities then outstanding
so demand, DFR will
prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement registering the shares held by such holders for resale. DFR is not
obligated to register shares upon such demand more than three times. After the expiration of the effectiveness period
of the shelf registration statement, in the event DFR determines to prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
registering any
shares of DFR common stock, the holders of registrable securities then outstanding may seek to
piggyback their shares of DFR common stock onto DFRs registration statement (subject
to customary cutbacks due to market conditions). The registration rights described
above are subject to customary blackout and suspension upon the occurrence of certain events. 66
In connection with the completion
of the Merger, DFR, Triarc and an escrow agent will execute an escrow agreement. Under the escrow agreement, DFR has agreed to
deposit 2,504,817 shares
of DFR common stock in an escrow fund in order to satisfy any indemnification obligations of Deerfield. The escrow fund will be
administered by the escrow agent in exchange for a fee and the
reimbursement of the escrow agents reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. While the shares of DFRs common stock remain in
escrow, Deerfields pre-closing members are entitled to exercise their
voting rights in respect of the shares on a pro rata basis, and the escrow agent and DFR must cooperate with the exercise of such
rights as reasonably requested by Deerfields pre-closing members.
If any dividends or other distributions are declared and paid with respect to the shares that are held in escrow, these amounts,
together with any other income or interest that is earned, must be held
in the escrow fund, except an amount of cash equal to 40% of the taxable income or gain attributable to such dividends,
distributions, income or interest will be released from the escrow fund. On the first anniversary of the
completion of the Merger, any shares of DFR common stock remaining in the escrow fund together with any accrued cash that is not
subject to a DFR
indemnification claim will be distributed pro rata by the escrow agent to the pre-closing holders of Deerfield membership
interests. Vote Required and Board
Recommendation For the proposal to issue 9,635,192
shares of our common stock in the Merger, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against the proposal or abstain from voting. If a
quorum is present,
ratification of this proposal requires (1) the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such matter (provided that the
total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of the outstanding
shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal) and (2) a majority of the votes cast by stockholders who are not
affiliates of Deerfield or Triarc. The Board (excluding those members
who abstained because of a material financial interest in the Merger that differs from that of our stockholders) recommends a
vote FOR approval of the
proposal to issue 9,635,192 shares of DFR common stock to the holders of Deerfield ownership interests as part of the consideration
for the Merger. 67
DFR SELECTED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following selected financial
information of DFR as of December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and Period from December
23, 2004
(Commencement) to December 31, 2004 has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements
of DFR and related notes thereto incorporated by reference in
this proxy statement. The following selected financial information of DFR as of March 31, 2007 and 2006 and for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2007, and 2006, has been derived from and
should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements of DFR and related notes thereto incorporated by reference in
this proxy statement, which has been prepared on the same basis
as the audited financial statements of DFR and, in the opinion of the management of DFR, contain all adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation
of DFRs financial position and results of operations as of and for such periods. The results of operations for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the full year or any future periods. The financial information set forth below should be read in
conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to DFRs
financial statements and the related notes thereto incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
Three months ended
Year ended December 31,
Period from
2007
2006
2006
2005
(unaudited) (in thousands, except
share and per share data) Consolidated Statements
of Operations Data: Revenues Net interest
income: Interest
income
$
122,699
$
102,028
$
459,298
$
236,149
$
189 Interest
expense
98,859
79,105
372,615
177,442
49 Net interest
income(1)
23,840
22,923
86,683
58,707
140 Provision for loan
losses
1,800
2,000
Expenses Management fee expense to
related party(2)
3,330
3,690
15,696
13,746
255 Incentive fee expense to
related party
2,185
1,185
3,335
1,342
Professional
services
617
478
2,179
880
61 Insurance
expense
136
181
718
681
16 Other general and
administrative expenses
369
492
1,810
1,477
99 Total
expenses
6,637
6,026
23,738
18,126
431 Other Income and Gain
(Loss) Net gain on
available-for-sale securities
2,549
2,092
2,790
5,372
Net gain (loss) on trading
securities
2,640
(1,813
)
750
(3,606
)
Net gain (loss) on
loans
1,962
532
1,167
(409
)
Net gain on
derivatives
46
1,443
5,664
3,758
Dividend income and other
net gain
264
101
265
320
Net other income and
gain
7,461
2,355
10,636
5,435
Income (loss) before
income tax expense
22,864
19,252
71,581
46,016
(291
) Income tax
expense
337
89
6
95
Net Income
(Loss)
$
22,527
$
19,163
$
71,575
$
45,921
$
(291
) Net income (loss) per
shareBasic
$
0.44
$
0.37
$
1.39
$
1.17
$
(0.01
) Net income (loss) per
shareDiluted
$
0.44
$
0.37
$
1.39
$
1.17
$
(0.01
) Weightedaverage
number of shares outstanding: Basic
51,587,293
51,390,470
51,419,191
39,260,293
26,923,139 Diluted
51,763,464
51,515,588
51,580,780
39,381,073
26,923,139 Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data (as of period ended): Total residential
mortgage-backed securities
$
7,872,496
$
8,101,936
$
7,691,428
$
7,010,870
$
444,958 Total
assets
$
9,985,448
$
9,179,517
$
9,249,991
$
8,203,812
$
814,980 Repurchase
agreements
$
7,692,228
$
7,116,051
$
7,372,035
$
6,768,396
$
317,810 68
March 31,
December 23, 2004
(Commencement) to
December 31, 2004
Three months ended
Year ended December 31,
Period from
2007
2006
2006
2005
(unaudited) Long-term
Debt: Revolving warehouse
funding facility
$
284,750
$
$
260,950
$
$
Market
Square
$
276,000
$
276,000
$
276,000
$
276,000
$
Pinetree
$
287,738
$
288,000
$
287,825
$
288,000
$
Trust preferred
securities
$
123,717
$
51,550
$
123,717
$
51,550
$
Stockholders
equity(3) (4)
$
693,259
$
707,385
$
688,953
$
697,203
$
378,012 Metrics: Return on
equity(5)
12.2
%
10.3
%
9.65
%
8.14
%
n/m Leverage(6)
12.4
10.9
12.0
10.6
n/m Adjusted
leverage(7)
10.4
10.1
10.0
9.8
n/m Dividends
declared
$
21,723
$
18,597
$
80,650
$
49,297
n/a Dividends declared per
common share outstanding
$
0.42
$
0.36
$
1.56
$
1.225
$
Book value per share
outstanding(8)
$
13.40
$
13.69
$
13.32
$
13.50
$
13.83
(1)
Our portfolio of investments totaled $9.0 billion $8.9 billion, $8.8 billion, $7.8 billion and $0.5 billion as of March 31,
2007 and 2006, December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. (2) In December 2004, we issued 403,847 shares of
restricted stock and stock options to purchase 1,346,156 shares of our common stock to DCM. In connection with these issuances we
have recorded
$32,000, $0.4 million, $2.4 million, $3.8 million and $0.1 million of share-based compensation for the three months ended March
31, 2007 and 2006, year ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, and
for the period from December 23, 2004 (commencement) to December 31, 2004, respectively. (3) Invested assets excludes credit default and
total return swaps and includes $7.9 billion, $8.1 billion, $7.7 billion, $7.0 billion and $445.0 million of RMBS as of March 31,
2007 and 2006, December
31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. (4) In December 2004, we completed a private
placement of 27,326,986 shares (including 403,847 restricted shares granted to DCM) of our common stock at $15.00 per share that
generated net
proceeds of $378.9 million. In July 2005, we completed our initial public offering of 25,000,000 shares of common stock at
$16.00 per share that generated net proceeds of $363.1 million. We sold
24,320,715 common shares and selling shareholders sold 679,285 common shares. (5) Return on equity is calculated by dividing our
net income by the weighted average net equity proceeds raised, which represents the proceeds from our initial private placement and
initial public
offering, net of all underwriter discounts and commissions as well as direct offering costs. (6) Leverage is calculated by dividing our total
debt (principal outstanding repurchase agreements and long-term debt) by total stockholders equity. (7) Adjusted leverage is calculated by dividing our
total debt (principal outstanding repurchase agreements and long-term debt) excluding the principal of trust preferred securities by
total
stockholders equity plus the principal of trust preferred securities. (8) Book value per share is calculated by dividing
total stockholders equity by the total outstanding shares. 69
March 31,
December 23, 2004
(Commencement) to
December 31, 2004
Supplementary Financial
Data (unaudited) The following table is unaudited
quarterly selected financial data for the past nine quarters: For the three months
ended March
31, March
31, June
30, September
30, December
31, March
31, June
30, September
30, December
31, (in thousands, except
share and per share data) REVENUES Net interest
income Interest
income $ 122,699 $ 102,028 $ 117,436 $ 117,548 $ 122,286 $ 25,240 $ 39,145 $ 74,554 $ 97,210 Interest
expense 98,859 79,105 96,297 97,839 99,374 16,382 28,366 55,839 76,855 Net interest
income 23,840 22,923 21,139 19,709 22,912 8,858 10,779 18,715 20,355 Provision for loan
losses 1,800 2,000 EXPENSES Management fee expense to
related party 3,330 3,690 3,615 3,715 4,676 2,626 2,978 3,931 4,211 Incentive fee expense to
related party 2,185 1,185 818 1,316 16 1,342 Professional
services 617 478 448 588 665 27 210 314 329 Insurance
expense 136 181 184 186 167 164 181 167 169 Other general and
administrative expenses 369 492 456 378 484 61 422 558 436 Total
expenses 6,637 6,026 5,521 6,183 6,008 2,878 3,791 4,970 6,487 OTHER INCOME AND GAIN
(LOSS) Net gain (loss) on
available-for-sale securities 2,549 2,092 1,215 1,780 (2,297 ) (1,003 ) 174 6,201 Net gain (loss) on trading
securities 2,640 (1,813 ) 54 3,042 (533 ) (73 ) 576 (1,914 ) (2,195 ) Net gain (loss) on
loans 1,962 532 (172 ) 495 312 (134 ) (752 ) 454 23 Net gain on
derivatives 46 1,443 1,389 392 2,440 124 1,018 1,487 1,129 Dividend income and other
gain (loss) 264 101 93 610 (539 ) 22 223 75 Net other income and gain
(loss) 7,461 2,355 2,579 6,319 (617 ) (83 ) (139 ) 424 5,233 Income before income tax
expense 22,864 19,252 18,197 19,845 14,287 5,897 6,849 14,169 19,101 Income tax expense
(benefit) 337 89 33 282 (398 ) 88 7 NET
INCOME $ 22,527 $ 19,163 $ 18,164 $ 19,563 $ 14,685 $ 5,897 $ 6,849 $ 14,081 $ 19,094 NET INCOME PER
SHAREBasic $ 0.44 $ 0.37 $ 0.35 $ 0.38 $ 0.29 $ 0.22 $ 0.25 $ 0.27 $ 0.37 NET INCOME PER
SHAREDiluted $ 0.44 $ 0.37 $ 0.35 $ 0.38 $ 0.28 $ 0.22 $ 0.25 $ 0.27 $ 0.37 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
SHARES OUTSTANDINGBasic 51,587,293 51,390,470 51,397,785 51,430,136 51,457,517 26,923,139 27,462,671 51,255,854 51,267,560 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
SHARES OUTSTANDINGDiluted 51,763,464 51,515,588 51,552,764 51,615,604 51,659,648 26,959,651 27,554,457 51,405,806 51,469,878 70
2007
2006
2006
2006
2006
2005
2005
2005
2005
DEERFIELD
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following selected financial
information of Deerfield have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements and
unaudited interim financial
statements of Deerfield and related notes thereto. Included elsewhere in this proxy statement are the audited financial statements
of Deerfield and related notes thereto as of December 31, 2006 and
2005 and March 31, 2007 and for the three years ended December 31, 2006 and three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and
2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future periods. The financial
information set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, Information Relating To DeerfieldDeerfields Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, and Deerfields financial
statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this proxy statement.
(in thousands)
Three months ended
Year ended December 31,
2007
2006
2006
2005
2004(1)
2003
2002 Consolidated Statements of Total
revenues
$
15,853
$
15,226
$
90,449
$
69,269
$
54,692
$
35,264
$
30,420 Net income
$
2,787
$
3,587
$
27,437
$
22,017
$
(4,192
)(2)
$
11,112
$
5,612 Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data (as of): Total assets
$
57,096
$
52,586
$
85,522
$
68,241
$
52,023
$
37,423
$
23,958 Notes payable
$
5,582
$
6,629
$
8,585
$
8,090
$
15,469
$
17,046
$
8,898 Members
equity
$
33,741
$
27,942
$
37,697
$
28,754
$
13,407
$
11,963
$
7,024
(1)
On July 22, 2004, then existing members sold 63.6% of their capital interests to a wholly owned subsidiary of Triarc Companies,
Inc. (Triarc). As a result, Triarc became the indirect majority
owner of Deerfield. (2) As of July 22, 2004, in conjunction with the
sale of a majority of the capital interest of Deerfield to Triarc, non-voting Class B share interests fully vested, resulting in
$24.3 million of share-based
compensation being recognized. Supplementary Financial Data
(unaudited) The following table shows unaudited
quarterly selected financial data for the past nine quarters: Three months
ended March
31, March
31, June
30, September
30, December
31, March
31, June
30, September
30, December 31, (in
thousands) Consolidated Statements
of Operations Data: Total
revenues $ 15,853 $ 15,226 $ 16,266 $ 18,210 $ 40,746 $ 13,911 $ 12,373 $ 13,590 $ 29,395 Net income $ 2,787 $ 3,587 $ 4,554 $ 4,076 $ 15,220 $ 5,149 $ 2,755 $ 3,665 $ 10,448 Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data (as of period ended): Total
assets $ 57,096 $ 52,586 $ 59,661 $ 66,063 $ 85,522 $ 37,979 $ 40,490 $ 45,454 $ 68,241 Notes
payable $ 5,582 $ 6,629 $ 9,078 $ 9,176 $ 8,585 $ 10,682 $ 9,234 $ 8,690 $ 8,090 Members
equity $ 33,741 $ 27,942 $ 31,240 $ 32,356 $ 37,697 $ 16,025 $ 16,819 $ 19,510 $ 28,754 71
March 31,
Operations Data:
2007
2006
2006
2006
2006
2005
2005
2005
2005
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF Deerfield, through its wholly-owned
subsidiary DCM, is an asset manager offering a diverse range of fixed income and credit related strategies to institutional
investors. Deerfield provides asset
advisory services for investors through (1) structured vehicles such as collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan
obligations, collateralized bond obligations and a structured loan fund
(collectively referred to as CDOs), (2) hedge funds, or Funds and privately managed accounts, or managed accounts, and (3) DFR, a
REIT. CDOs are vehicles that invest in
collateral which generate a stream of income and that issue various types of securities whereby the holders of those securities can
participate in the income
stream. Deerfields CDOs invest in bank loans, asset-backed securities and investment grade corporate bonds and related
derivatives. The investment funds Deerfield manages consist of onshore and
offshore private hedge Funds, and a REIT, which invests mainly in mortgage-related securities and other alternative corporate
investments. The separate accounts Deerfield manages are fixed income
accounts maintained by financial institutions at custodian banks. Deerfields revenues consist
predominantly of investment advisory fees from the accounts it manages. Deerfield receives a periodic management fee from each
account that generally is based on
the net assets or total collateral balance of the account. This fee ranges from approximately .10% to .50% per year of the
collateral balance for CDOs and .15% to .30% per year of the net assets of
the managed accounts. Fund management fees are generally 1.50% per year on net assets and the REIT management fee is 1.75% per year
of adjusted equity of the REIT. Deerfield is also entitled
to a performance fee from many of its accounts, generally based upon a percentage of profits for a defined measurement period,
which varies dependent upon each management agreement. Management fees are recognized as
revenue when the management services have been performed for the period and sufficient cash flows have been generated by the CDOs to
pay the fees under
the terms of the related management agreements. In connection with these agreements, Deerfield has subordinated receipt of certain
of its management fees for the benefit of investors. In addition,
Deerfield recognizes non-cash management fee revenue related to restricted stock and stock options in the REIT based on their
current fair values which are amortized from deferred income into
revenues over the vesting period. Performance fees are based upon the performance of the Funds and CDOs and are recognized as
revenues when the amounts become fixed and determinable upon
the close of a performance period for the Funds and all contingencies have been resolved. Contingencies may include the achievement
of minimum CDO or Fund performance requirements specified
under agreements with certain investors to provide minimum rate of return or principal loss protection. Deerfields other related fee
revenue consists primarily of structuring fees it earns for services we provided to CDOs or placement agents for the CDOs and
administrative fees from its Funds.
Administrative fees are additional fees paid by certain Funds pertaining to direct trading related costs incurred by Deerfield.
Deerfield recognizes these fees as income upon the rendering of such
services. Deerfields investment income,
primarily includes accretion related to Deerfields ownership of preferred shares in certain CDOs it manages and dividend income
received on DFR. Deerfields
interest income on its CDO investments is accreted over the respective estimated lives of the CDOs, using the effective yield
method. Deerfields operating results
fluctuate primarily due to changes in the composition and total value of its assets under management. The following table details
Deerfields assets under
management, based on the four types of investment products it offers at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and at March 31, 2007 and
2006. 72
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF
DEERFIELD
At March 31,
At December 31,
2007
2006
2006
2005
2004 (in
thousands) Funds: Fixed income
arbitrage
$
909,447
$
842,864
$
888,057
$
802,586
$
807,789 Credit and
opportunity
139,032
131,835
105,909 CDOs: Bank loans
4,022,939
2,868,826
3,922,862
2,870,080
2,311,299 Asset-backed
securities
6,432,211
4,262,162
6,476,846
4,299,479
1,547,810 Investment grade
credit
729,869
3,250,715
830,296
3,297,096
3,402,698 Real estate investment
trust
764,577
762,441
764,701
756,951
Managed
accounts
330,577
226,588
331,049
225,612
258,476 Total assets under
management
$
13,189,745
$
12,352,629
$
13,213,811
$
12,383,639
$
8,433,981 The value and composition of
Deerfields assets under management are, and will continue to be, influenced by a variety of factors including, among other
things:
Contributions and withdrawals from our open-end Funds and managed accounts; Fluctuations in the financial markets around the
world that result in appreciation or depreciation of assets under management; and Our introduction of new investment strategies
and products. Operating Results of Deerfield for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 versus the three months ended March 31, 2006 Deerfields total revenues for
the first three months of 2007 increased to $15.9 million compared to $15.2 million for the first three months of 2006, an increase
of approximately $0.7 million, or
4.6%, principally due to a $0.6 million increase in investment advisory fees. The increase in investment advisory
fees was due to a net increase in CDO and the DFR management and performance fees of $0.9 million and $0.1 million, respectively,
which were offset by a
net decline in Fund management fees of $0.4 million. The CDO management fee net increase
was primarily due to the launch of six new CDOs subsequent to March 31, 2006, which generated management fees of $2.5 million offset
by a loss in
management and incentive fees of $1.4 million due to the call or maturity of three CDOs deals. This benefit was partially offset by
a net decrease of $0.2 million in management fees primarily related
to changes in assets under management of existing CDOs. The $0.4 million net decrease in
Fund management fees was comprised of a $0.5 million decrease in management fees primarily due to the termination of a Fund offset by
an increase of $0.1
million in management fees on existing Funds due to an increase in the related assets under management. Total Fund assets under
management decreased by approximately $72.4 million or 7.4%
period over period. Total expenses increased to $13.0
million compared to $12.2 million in the first three months of 2006, an increase of approximately $0.8 million or 6.6%. Compensation
and benefits increased by
$1.2 million or 11.9% due to an increase of 8 employees in both trading related and supporting personnel and increased compensation
levels of existing personnel. Investment income decreased to $0.1
million compared to $0.7 million in the first three months of 2006, a decrease of $0.6 million. This decrease was primarily
attributable to an other than
temporary impairments recognized on three CDO investments of $0.7 million. Interest expense was $0.1 million
for both the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. 73
Operating Results of Deerfield for the year
ended December 31, 2006 versus the year ended December 31, 2005 Deerfields total revenues for
2006 increased to $90.4 million compared to $69.3 million for 2005, an increase of $21.1 million or 30.4%. The increase in revenue
was primarily derived from the
increase in investment advisory fees of $20.5 million, which is comprised of management and performance fees earned from the
management of the assets of our CDOs, Funds, the REIT and
managed accounts. Management fees increased by $9.5
million over 2005 to $57.8 million for the year ended 2006, of which CDOs, Funds, managed accounts and DFR contributed $6.3 million,
$0.9 million, $0.3
million and $2.0 million to the increase, respectively. A net of four additional CDOs contributed an additional $3.0 million in
management fees during 2006. Net increase in assets under management
and a full year of management fees earned on additional deals added in 2005 resulted in the remaining increase in CDO management
fees of $3.3 million. Management fees from Funds increased $1.4
million due to an increase in assets under management in existing Funds offset by a $0.5 million decline in fees due to the
termination of Funds. DFR fees relating to DFR increased by $2.0 million
due to a full year impact of the additional capital raised in DFRs initial public stock offering in June 2005. Performance fees increased by $11.0
million over 2005 to $30.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, of which CDOs, Funds and DFR contributed $3.1 million, $5.4
million and $2.5
million to the net increase, respectively. The increase in performance fees from Funds was due to Fund returns and increases in
assets under management of existing Funds. Total expenses increased to $63.6
million compared to $49.5 million in 2005, an increase of $14.1 million or 28.4%. Compensation and benefits increased by $12.4
million, or approximately 29.3%.
Due to Deerfields compensation structure, $4.2 million of this increase is related to incentive compensation directly related
to increased revenues. Additionally, Deerfield added 14 employees to its
workforce during 2006 in both trading related and support personnel. Rent expense increased by $0.4 million primarily due to the
recognition of a full year of rental expense on the new Deerfield
corporate headquarters. In connection with the build-out and the subsequent relocation to our new corporate headquarters during the
first quarter of 2006, Deerfield recognized $0.4 million and $0.2
million of overlapping rent expense in 2006 and 2005, respectively. In 2006, Deerfield wrote off $1.2 million of its leasehold
improvements from the former facility and certain other intangible and
fixed assets that it determined it would not be relocating to the new facility which is the primary driver of the $1.1 million
increase in depreciation and amortization expense. Investment income decreased to $2.6
million compared to $3.0 million in 2005, a decrease of $0.4 million. This net decrease was primarily attributable to an other than
temporary impairment
recognized on CDO investments of $1.5 million in 2006 compared to $0.3 million in 2005 offset by a $0.7 million realized gain
recognized on the liquidation of a CDO in which Deerfield owned an
investment in 2006. Interest expense was $0.7 million
in 2006 compared to $0.5 million in 2005, an increase of $0.2 million. This increase was primarily due to $0.2 million of interest
expense related to a borrowing
of $4.0 million under the $10.0 million revolving note. During 2006, Deerfield incurred
professional fees of $1.2 million related to a strategic business alternative that is no longer being pursued. These expenses were
recorded to other expense and
were offset by a $0.1 million reimbursement from DFR for services performed by Deerfields internal audit
department. Operating Results of Deerfield for the year
ended December 31, 2005 versus the year ended December 31, 2004 Deerfields total revenues for
2005 increased to $69.3 million compared to $54.7 million for 2004, an increase of approximately $14.6 million or 26.7% representing
an increase in investment
advisory fees. 74
The increase in investment advisory fees was
primarily due to a net increase in DFR and Funds management and performance fees of $14.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively,
which were
offset by a net decline in CDOs management and performance fees of $6.1 million. The REIT management and performance
fee increased by $14.8 million due to DFR commencing operations in December 2004. Management fees and performance fees increased by
$13.5
million and $1.3 million, respectively. Fund management fees and
performance fees increased by $4.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The $4.8 million net increase in management fees was
comprised of a $5.2 million increase in
management fees primarily due to the addition of a new fund and a net increase in the assets under management of the existing Funds
offset by a decrease of $0.4 million in management fees of a
terminated fund. Total Fund related assets under management increased by approximately $20.7 million or 2.3% year over
year. The CDO investment advisory fees
declined by a net of $6.1 million driven by a decline in performance fees of $9.2 million offset by an increase in management fees of
$3.1 million. The
management fee net increase was primarily due to the launch of six new CDOs, which generated additional management fees of $3.5
million offset by a loss in management fees of $1.3 million due to
the call or maturity of two CDOs. Additionally, increases in existing assets under management of existing deals contributed $1.3
million in management fees. The net decline in performance fees of
CDOs was attributable to fees received from a terminated deal in 2004 of $2.6 million and a net decline in contingent fees received
in 2005 over 2004 of $6.6 million due to Deerfield reaching certain
target investor returns during 2004 and receiving previously deferred subordinated fees. Total expenses decreased to $49.5
million compared to $61.2 million for 2004, a decrease of $11.7 million or 19.1%. The largest component of this decrease was non-cash
compensation of $24.5
million in 2004 due to the accelerated cliff vesting of a prior grant of equity compensation to two employees. Excluding the effect
of the $24.5 million non-cash compensation charge, compensation
and benefits increased by $13.3 million primarily due to increased trading and support personnel of 28 employees added during 2005,
salary increases and new employment contracts related to the
Triarc acquisition of a majority interest in Deerfield. Depreciation and amortization
expense decreased by $0.2 million to a total of $0.4 million for 2005. General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.2 million
to a total of $6.9 million for
2006. Investment income increased to $3.0
million compared to $2.9 million for 2004, an increase of $0.1 million. Interest expense was $0.5 million
for both 2005 and 2004. Liquidity and Capital
Resources Operations of Deerfield are funded
primarily through cash flows from operating activities. Deerfields primary liquidity requirements are for working capital and
general corporate purposes.
Investing activity primarily involves purchases and sales of investments in CDOs and purchases of fixed assets. Financing
activities generally include distributions to members and borrowings and
repayments of non-recourse debt used to purchase CDO preferred shares, which is paid down using a percentage of the preferred
dividends received on the investments and the CDO management
fees collateralizing the financing. Deerfield believes that cash flows
from operating activities are sufficient for it to fund its current operations for at least the next twelve months. If existing cash
balances are insufficient,
Deerfield would seek additional financing. Deerfield may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all.
As of March 31, 2007 Deerfield had additional borrowing capacity of
$8.0 million on its revolving note facility. 75
The following provides discussions
related to changes in Deerfields liquidity: Deerfields three months ended March 31,
2007 versus the three months ended March 31, 2006 As of March 31, 2007, Deerfield had
$6.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $1.5 million from March 31, 2006. Cash used in operating
activities was $2.7 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increased use of $4.5 million compared to March 31, 2006. This change, period over
period, was primarily attributed to net changes in working capital
driven by a $4.5 million increase in investment advisory fee receivable, $0.4 million increase in other receivables and prepaid
assets and a $9.6 million decrease in accrued expenses and accounts
payable. These changes resulted from the payment of larger accrued compensation expenses partially offset by increases in
investment advisory fee receivables as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 that
were paid in the following quarter. The remaining increase of $0.2 million in operating activities was a result of net changes in
Deerfields investment activity, which offset lower net income. Cash flows used in investing
activities was $3.8 million less for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Deerfields completion of the build
out of its new corporate headquarters contributed nearly all of the $3.8 million increase in fixed asset and intangible asset
purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Cash flows used in financing
activities was $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increased use of $3.3 million compared to the three months
ended March 31, 2006. This
increase relates to increased payments of $1.5 million and $1.7 million on notes payable and distributions to members,
respectively. In January 2007, Deerfield repaid
$2.0 million of the $4.0 million borrowed in 2006 under the $10.0 million revolving note. Deerfields year ended December 31, 2006
versus the year ended December 31, 2005 As of December 31, 2006, Deerfield
had $17.9 million of cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $5.4 million from December 31, 2005. Cash provided by
operating activities was
$28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase in cash of $6.1 million compared to the year ended December 31,
2005. This change was primarily attributed to increases in net
income, non-cash items and net investment activity of $5.4 million, $3.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The overall growth
of our assets under management and resulting increases in investment
advisory fee revenue largely contributed to the increased cash provided by operating activities. The above increases for the year
ended December 31, 2006 compared to 2005 were offset by a $3.2
million reduction in cash from working capital. Cash flows used in investing
activities was $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increased use of $4.4 million compared to the year ended
December 31, 2005. In 2006, the use
of $7.9 million to purchase fixed assets was associated with the build out of new corporate headquarters, an increased use of $5.9
million compared to 2005, was partially offset by the proceeds
received on the sale of a CDO investment of $5.0 million in 2006. Cash flows used in financing
activities was $19.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, an increase of $3.1 million compared to the year ended December
31, 2005. During 2006,
Deerfield distributed $18.5 million to its members, an $11.2 million increase over the prior year. For the year ended December 31,
2006, Deerfield repaid $5.2 million of notes payable, $5.5 million
less than in 2005 as a result of less borrowing on CDO investments. In addition, during 2006 Deerfield received funding of $4.0
million on a revolving note which had availability of up to $10.0
million. Deerfields year ended December 31, 2005
versus the year ended December 31, 2004 As of December 31, 2005, Deerfield
had $12.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, representing an increase of $6.9 million from December 31, 2004. Cash provided by
operating activities was
$21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $2.6 million compared to December 31, 2004. This change was
primarily attributed to decreases in net non-cash items, net
investment 76
activity and working capital of $24.0 million, $3.2 million and $1.6 million,
respectively, offset by an increase in net income of $26.2 million compared to 2005. Included in the net loss for 2004 is a
non-cash expense of $23.5 million of accelerated vesting of certain profit interests as a result of the purchase of Deerfield by
Triarc, which comprised most of the $24.0 million of change in the net
non-cash items. Cash flows provided by investing
activities was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, an increase use of $5.8 million compared to the year ended December
31, 2004. In 2005, we
received a $5.0 million cash payment on an outstanding note receivable. This cash inflow was offset by the purchase of $1.4 million
of investments, $2.6 million less than 2004, and $2.0 million of
fixed asset purchases, $1.8 million less than 2004. Cash flows used in financing
activities was $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2005, a decrease of $4.0 million compared to 2004. During 2005,
Deerfield distributed to its members
$7.3 million, $11.7 million less than 2004, and repaid notes in the amount of $10.7 million, $5.2 million more than 2004.
Additionally, Deerfield received $1.4 million of proceeds from notes payable
for the year ended December 31, 2005, which was $2.5 million less than 2004. Contractual Obligations and
Commitments The table below summarizes
Deerfields contractual obligations as of March 31, 2007. These obligations exclude accounts payable and accrued
expenses:
Payment Due by Period
Total
Less than
1 - 3 years
3 - 5 years
More than (in
thousands) Operating
leases
$
17,907
$
670
$
2,290
$
2,410
$
12,537 Notes payable(1)
5,582
3,582
2,000
Total
$
23,489
$
4,252
$
4,290
$
2,410
$
12,537
(1)
Notes payable includes $3.6 million of non-recourse notes secured by preferred shares of a CDO investment we hold. Although
these balances are paid with a portion of the management fees and
preferred share distributions we receive there is no stated maturity so we have shown the entire balance in the Less than 1
year column. The $2.0 million in the 1-3 years column is a revolving
note that can be paid at anytime but matures in February 2009. Interest expense is not estimated for the notes payable because
of the uncertainty surrounding the timing and amount of principal
payments.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements As of December 31, 2006 and 2005
and March 31, 2007, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements requiring disclosure. Application of Critical
Accounting Policies The preparation of our consolidated
financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires us to make estimates and assumptions in applying our critical accounting
policies that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and operating performance. We evaluate those estimates and assumptions on an ongoing
basis for appropriateness as facts and circumstances may change
over time. The following discussion highlights those policies that contain our more critical estimates and assumptions used in the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Valuation and Other than
Temporary Impairment on Available-for-Sale Investments We classify our equity investments
in CDOs as available-for-sale. At the end of each quarter, we adjust the carrying amount of each investment to fair value and
recognize an unrealized gain or 77
1 year
5 years
loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within members
equity. The fair value of each investment is based on quotes received from brokers dealing in the securities as there is no
publicly quoted market price available for these types of investments. In addition, on an annual basis or more frequently as
required, we review these investments for other than temporary
impairment. Indications of changing market conditions, adverse deal performance or a security in an unrealized loss position for an
extended period of time would suggest an adverse change in cash
flows of the underlying CDO has occurred and the cash flows should be evaluated. If an other than temporary impairment is
identified, the impairment is recognized in our statement of operations. Accretion of Interest Income
on our CDO investments Our investments in preferred shares
of CDOs are accounted for in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-20, Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on
Purchased
Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests that Continue to be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets, or EITF
99-20. EITF 99-20 requires that interest income is accreted over the
estimated life of the investment using the effective yield method. The calculation of the yield on the investments is calculated
based on estimated future cash flows to be received on the investment.
These cash flows are subject to change due to fluctuations in spreads and default rates on the underlying collateral and may differ
substantially from actual results. As part of our other than
temporary impairment analysis on these investments, we monitor changes in estimated cash flows. Due to uncertainties inherent in
the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual resolution of these items may vary from the estimate and, accordingly,
there can be no assurance that
the estimates may not change materially in the near term. Investment advisory fees, which
include various forms of management and incentive fees, are received from the investment vehicles managed by Deerfield. These fees,
paid periodically in
accordance with the individual management agreements between Deerfield and the individual investment vehicles, are generally based
upon the net asset values of the Funds, adjusted equity of the
REIT, and aggregate collateral amount of the CDOs as defined in the individual management agreements. Management fees are
recognized as revenue when earned. In accordance with EITF Topic
D-96, Accounting for Management Fees Based on a Formula, Deerfield does not recognize these fees as revenue until all contingencies
have been removed, including the generation of sufficient cash
flows by the CDOs to pay the fees under the terms of the related management agreements. Other contingencies may include the
achievement of minimum CDO and Fund performance requirements
specified under certain agreements with certain investors or guarantee providers. In connection with these agreements, Deerfield
has subordinated receipt of certain of its management fees. Incentive fees may be earned from
the investment vehicles managed by Deerfield. These fees are paid periodically in accordance with the individual management
agreements between Deerfield
and the individual investment vehicles and are based upon the performance of the underlying investment vehicles. Incentive fees are
recognized as revenue when the amounts are fixed and
determinable upon the close of a performance period for the Funds and DFR and the achievement of performance targets for the CDOs
and any related agreements with certain investors or
guarantee providers. While Deerfields business is
not directly affected by seasonality, Deerfields investment advisory fees will generally be higher in the fourth quarter as a
result of its revenue recognition policy for
incentive fees related to investment funds which are based upon performance and are recognized when the amounts become fixed and
determinable upon the close of a performance period. 78
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk Deerfield is exposed to the impact
of interest rate changes, changes in the market value of our investments and, to a lesser extent, foreign currency fluctuations. In
the normal course of business,
Deerfield employs established policies and procedures to monitor its exposure to these changes and manage the risks as it deems
appropriate. Overall Market Risk as of December 31,
2006 Market risk is the potential change
in an instruments value caused by fluctuations in interest rates, equity prices, credit spreads, currency rates or other risks.
Exposure to market risk is
influenced by a number of factors, including the relationships between financial instruments and the volatility and liquidity in
the markets in which the financial instruments are traded. Deerfields
investment portfolio is limited to required investments in the CDOs Deerfield manages, DFR, and common stock. As of December 31,
2006, investments were classified in our condensed consolidated
balance sheet as follows (in thousands): Cash equivalents included
in Cash and cash equivalents
$
12,186 Restricted cash
equivalents
400 Investments
15,369 Investments -
pledged
8,168
$
36,123 Deerfields cash equivalents
are short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired and consisted principally of cash in
money market accounts, an interest
bearing broker account and commercial paper of high credit-quality entities.
Type
At Cost
At Fair
Carrying Value
Amount
Percent (in
thousands) Cash
equivalents
$
12,186
$
12,186
$
12,186
34
% Restricted cash
equivalents
400
400
400
1
% Investments accounted for
as: Available-for-sale
securities(1)
21,344
20,345
20,345
56
% Trading
271
272
272
1
% Unvested and restricted
stock in DFR
2,279
2,279
2,279
6
% Derivatives
718
641
641
2
% Total cash equivalents and
investment positions
$
37,198
$
36,123
$
36,123
100
%
(1)
Includes $14,903 of preferred shares of CDOs, which, if sold, would require us to use the proceeds to repay our related notes
payable of $4,585. (2) There can be no assurance that we would be able
to sell certain of these investments at these amounts. Deerfields investments are
reported at fair value and are classified and accounted for either as available-for-sale or trading with the
resulting net unrealized holding gains or losses reported
either as a separate component of comprehensive income or loss or included as a component of net income or net loss, respectively.
Deerfields investments in preferred shares of CDOs are
accounted for similar to debt securities and are classified as available-for-sale. Derivative instruments consist of restricted and
unrestricted options on common stock of the REIT. Deerfield also holds
restricted and unrestricted stock in the REIT, which it receives along with the options as stock-based compensation and carry at
fair value. Deerfield reviews all of our investments in which it has
unrealized losses and recognize investment losses currently for any unrealized losses it deems to be other than temporary. The
cost-basis component of CDO investments reflected in the table above
represents amortized cost including any permanent reduction for any unrealized losses that were deemed to be other than
temporary. 79
Value(2)
Sensitivity Analysis For purposes of this disclosure,
market risk sensitive instruments are divided into two categories: instruments entered into for trading purposes and instruments
entered into for purposes other
than trading. Deerfields estimate of market risk exposure is presented for each class of financial instruments held by us at
December 31, 2006 for which an immediate adverse market movement
causes a potential material impact on Deerfields financial position or results of operations. Deerfield believes that the
rates of adverse market movements described below represent the hypothetical
loss to future earnings and do not represent the maximum possible loss nor any expected actual loss, even under adverse conditions,
because actual adverse fluctuations would likely differ. In
addition, since Deerfields investment portfolio is subject to change based on our portfolio management strategy as well as
market conditions, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the
actual results that may occur. The following tables reflect the
estimated market risk exposure as of December 31, 2006, based upon assumed immediate adverse effects as noted below (in
thousands): Trading Purposes:
Carrying
Equity Equity
securities
$
272
$
(27
) The sensitivity analysis of
financial instruments held for trading purposes assumes an instantaneous 10% adverse change in the equity markets in which Deerfield
is invested from their levels at
December 31, 2006, with all other variables held constant. Other Than Trading Purposes:
Carrying
Interest
Equity
Foreign (in
thousands) Cash
equivalents
$
12,186
$
(2
)
$
$
Restricted cash
equivalents
400
Available-for-sale
preferred shares of CDOs
14,903
(1,344
)
(73
) Common stock of REIT
(vested and unvested)
7,721
(772
)
Derivatives (vested and
unvested)
641
(230
)
Notes
payable
(8,585
)
(51
)
(73
) The sensitivity analysis of
financial instruments held at December 31, 2006 for purposes of other than trading assumes (1) an instantaneous 100 basis point
adverse change in market interest rates,
(2) an instantaneous 10% adverse change in the equity markets in which we are invested and (3) an instantaneous 10% adverse change
in the foreign currency exchange rates versus the United States
dollar, each from their levels at December 31, 2006, with all other variables held constant. The sensitivity analysis also assumes
that the decreases in the equity markets and foreign exchange rates are
other than temporary. Deerfields cash equivalents
and investments in debt securities and preferred shares of CDOs with interest rate risk had a range of remaining maturities and, for
purposes of this analysis, were
assumed to have weighted average remaining maturities as follows:
Range
Weighted Average Cash equivalents (other
than money market funds and interest-bearing brokerage and bank accounts)
10 days
10 days Restricted cash
equivalents
47 days
47 days CDOs underlying preferred
shares
2 years15 years
5 years The interest rate risk for
preferred shares of CDOs reflects the impact on Deerfields results of operations over the estimated lives of the securities.
Assuming Deerfield reinvests in similar
securities at the time these securities mature, the effect of the interest rate risk of an increase of 100 basis points above the
existing levels would continue beyond the maturities assumed. The interest 80
Value
Price Risk
Value
Rate Risk
Price Risk
Currency Risk
rate risk for Deerfields preferred shares of CDOs excludes those portions
of the CDOs for which the risk has been fully hedged within the structure of the respective CDO. Deerfields cash
equivalents and restricted cash equivalents of bank money market accounts and/or interest-bearing brokerage and bank accounts,
which are designed to maintain a stable value, were assumed to have
no interest rate risk. The interest rate risk presented
with respect to Deerfields notes payable relates to its variable-rate notes payable outstanding as of December 31, 2006 and
represents the potential impact an
increase in interest rates of 100 basis points has on Deerfields results of operations. Deerfields exposure to
foreign currency is limited to financial instruments and debt we have denominated in Euro. As of December 31, 2006, Deerfield had one
CDO investment and a
corresponding notes payable, each in the amount of 550,000 Euro. Overall Market Risk as of March 31,
2007 Deerfield had no significant
changes in our management of, or our exposure to, interest rate risk, equity market risk or foreign currency risk during three months
ended March 31, 2007. As of
March 31, 2007, investments were classified in Deerfields condensed consolidated balance sheet as follows (in
thousands): Cash equivalents included
in Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,308 Restricted cash
equivalents
400 Investments
13,854 Investments -
pledged
7,443
$
25,005 The decline in cash equivalents is
due to the seasonal payment of incentive compensation and does not impact Deerfields overall risk exposure. There were no
changes in Deerfields investment
holdings as of March 31, 2007, except that we no longer hold any equity securities for trading purposes, and the minor differences
in the carrying values above are due to market value fluctuations
and the sale of the equity securities held for trading purposes. 81
SUMMARY UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED The following summary unaudited pro
forma condensed combined financial statements are based upon the audited and unaudited financial statements of DFR and Deerfield and
the related notes
thereto, appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement, combined and adjusted to give effect to the
Merger, the financing and the related transactions. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and for the year ended December 31, 2006, give effect to
the Merger, the
financing and the related transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2006. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007,
was prepared based upon the unaudited statement of operations of DFR for the three months ended March 31, 2007, and the unaudited
statement of operations of Deerfield for the three months
ended March 31, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the full year ended December 31, 2006,
was prepared based on the audited statement of operations
of DFR for the full year ended December 31, 2006 and audited statement of operations of Deerfield for the full year ended December
31, 2006. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined balance sheet at March 31, 2007, gives effect to the Merger, the financing and the related transactions as if they had
occurred on such date, and
were prepared based upon the unaudited condensed balance sheet of DFR as of March 31, 2007, and the unaudited balance sheet of
Deerfield as of March 31, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with each of the DFRs and Deerfields audited financial
statements and unaudited interim
financial statements, including any notes thereto, and Information Relating to DeerfieldDeerfields
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included
elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or financial position of DFR that would
have occurred had the
Merger, the financing and the related transactions occurred at the beginning of each period presented or on the date indicated, nor
are they necessarily indicative of future operating results or
financial position. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based upon information set forth in this proxy statement, and certain
assumptions included in the notes to the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined financial statements. The allocations of the respective
purchase price to Deerfields assets, including intangible assets, and liabilities are only preliminary allocations based upon
managements estimates of fair values
as of the date of acquisition and will change when estimates are finalized. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined statements of operations do not include any revenue or cost saving synergies that may be achievable subsequent to the
completion of the business
combination. 82
COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Historical
Pro Forma
DFR
DCM
Adjustments
Note
DFR ASSETS Cash and cash
equivalents
$
113,751
$
5,979
$
(6,000
)
3.1
$
115,507
1,777
3.2 Due from
broker
768,118
768,118 Restricted cash and cash
equivalents
33,965
400
34,365 Available-for-sale
securities
7,898,601
21,297
(4,632
)
3.1
7,912,572
(1,957
)
3.6
(737
)
3.20 Trading securitiesat
fair value
280,531
280,531 Other
investments
6,569
6,569 Derivative
assets
38,042
38,042 Loans held for
sale
320,595
320,595 Loans
453,554
453,554 Allowance for loan
losses
(3,800
)
(3,800
) Loans, net of Allowance
for loan losses
449,754
449,754 Interest
receivable
51,231
51,231 Investment advisory
receivable
8,621
(3,296
)
3.3
5,325 Other
receivable
11,934
19
11,953 Prepaid and other
assets
12,357
9,344
(185
)
3.4
21,965
(728
)
3.5
(1,661
)
3.6
2,838
3.7 Fixed
assets
11,346
11,346 Intangible
assets
90
115,224
3.8
115,314 Goodwill
165,577
3.10
165,577 TOTAL
ASSETS
$
9,985,448
$
57,096
$
266,220
$
10,308,764 LIABILITIES Repurchase
agreements
$
7,692,228
$
$
$
7,692,228 Due to
broker
557,859
557,859 Derivative
liabilities
31,564
31,564 Interest
payable
33,669
33,669 Long term
debt
972,205
155,000
3.7
1,127,205 Notes
payable
5,582
(2,000
)
3.11
3,582 Management and incentive
fee payable to related party
3,296
(3,296
)
3.3
Other
payables
1,368
17,773
(548
)
3.12
16,452
(184
)
3.4
(1,957
)
3.6 TOTAL
LIABILITIES
9,292,189
23,355
147,015
9,462,559 83
Combined
Historical
Pro Forma
DFR
DCM
Adjustments
Note
DFR STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY Preferred
stock
Common
stock
51
96
3.13
147 Additional paid-in
capital
748,837
155,545
3.13
904,192
548
3.12
(738
)
3.14 Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
(65,414
)
(1,696
)
1,696
3.15
(65,414
) Retained
earnings
9,785
(548
)
3.12
9,237 Members equity, net
of accumulated other comprehensive income
35,437
(4,632
)
3.1
(30,805
)
3.15 Treasury
stock
(1,957
)
3.6
(1,957
) TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
693,259
33,741
119,205
846,205 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
$
9,985,448
$
57,096
$
266,220
$
10,308,764 See notes to the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined financial statements. 84
Combined
(in thousands except share and per
share amounts)
Historical
Pro Forma
DFR
DCM
Adjustments
Note
DFR Revenues Net interest
income: Interest
income
$
122,699
$
642
$
$
123,341 Interest
expense
98,859
124
3,191
3.7
102,164
(10
)
3.16
Net interest
income
23,840
518
(3,181
)
21,177 Provision for loan
losses
(1,800
)
(1,800
) Investment advisory
fees
15,687
(3,330
)
3.17
10,197
25
3.18
(2,185
)
3.17 Total net
revenues
22,040
16,205
(8,671
)
29,574 EXPENSES Management
fee
3,330
(3,330
)
3.17
Incentive
fee
2,185
(2,185
)
3.17
Salary & employee
benefits
5,703
(154
)
3.19
5,549 Bonus
5,323
5,323 Professional
services
617
168
785 Insurance
expense
136
175
311 Depreciation &
amortization
337
3,229
3.8
3,566 Other general and
administrative expenses
369
1,320
1,689 Total
expenses
6,637
13,026
(2,440
)
17,223 OTHER INCOME AND GAIN
(LOSS) Net gain (loss) on
available-for-sale securities
2,549
(649
)
1,900 Net gain on trading
securities
2,640
2,640 Net gain on
loans
1,962
1,962 Net gain on
derivatives
46
46 Dividend income and other
gain
264
299
(64
)
3.20
499 Net other income and gain
(loss)
7,461
(350
)
(64
)
7,047 Income before income tax
expense
22,864
2,829
(6,295
)
19,398 Income tax expense
(benefit)
337
42
(1,700
)
3.21
(1,321
) NET
INCOME
$
22,527
$
2,787
$
(4,595
)
$
20,719 Net income (loss) per
sharebasic
$
0.44
$
(0.47
)
$
0.34 Net income (loss) per
sharediluted
$
0.44
$
(0.47
)
$
0.34 Weightedaverage
number of shares outstandingbasic
51,587,293
9,769,807
3.9
61,357,100 Weightedaverage
number of shares outstandingdiluted
51,763,464
9,769,807
3.9
61,533,271 See notes to the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined financial statements. 85
Combined
(in thousands except share and per
share amounts)
Historical
Pro Forma
DFR
DCM
Adjustments
Note
DFR Net interest
income: Interest
income
$
459,298
$
3,390
$
$
462,688 Interest
expense
372,615
680
12,932
3.7
386,174
(53
)
3.16 Net interest
income
86,683
2,710
(12,879
)
76,514 Provision for loan
losses
(2,000
)
(2,000
) Investment advisory
fees
88,378
(15,696
)
3.17
69,450
103
3.18
(3,335
)
3.17 Total net
revenues
84,683
91,088
(31,807
)
143,964 EXPENSES Management
fee
15,696
(15,696
)
3.17
Incentive
fee
3,335
(3,335
)
3.17
Salary & employee
benefits
22,175
(617
)
3.19
21,480
(78
)
3.22 Bonus
32,429
32,429 Professional
services
2,179
2,268
(129
)
3.23
4,318 Insurance
expense
718
717
1,435 Depreciation &
amortization
1,509
12,918
3.8
14,427 Other general and
administrative expenses
1,810
5,779
7,589 Total
expenses
23,738
64,877
(6,937
)
81,678 OTHER INCOME AND GAIN
(LOSS) Net gain (loss) on
available-for-sale securities
2,790
(758
)
2,032 Net gain on trading
securities
750
750 Net gain on
loans
1,167
1,167 Net gain on
derivatives
5,664
5,664 Dividend income and other
gain
265
2,154
59
3.20
1,665
(129
)
3.23
(684
)
3.22 Net other income and
gain
10,636
1,396
(754
)
11,278 Income before income tax
expense
71,581
27,607
(25,624
)
73,564 Income tax
expense
6
170
701
3.21
877 NET
INCOME
$
71,575
$
27,437
$
(26,325
)
$
72,687 Net income (loss) per
sharebasic
$
1.39
$
(2.69
)
$
1.19 Net income (loss) per
sharediluted
$
1.39
$
(2.69
)
$
1.19 Weightedaverage
number of shares outstandingbasic
51,419,191
9,769,807
3.9
61,188,998 Weightedaverage
number of shares outstandingdiluted
51,580,780
9,769,807
3.9
61,350,587 See notes to the unaudited pro forma
condensed combined financial statements. 86
Combined
Note 1Basis of Presentation The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements give effect to the Merger to be accounted for as a purchase business combination, with DFR treated as
the legal and
accounting acquirer and as if the acquisition of Deerfield had been completed on January 1, 2006 for statement of operations
purposes and March 31, 2007 for balance sheet purposes. The unaudited pro forma combined
financial data is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial
position that would have occurred
if the Merger had been consummated during the period or as of the dates for which the pro forma data is presented, nor is it
necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial position of
DFR. DFRs purchase price for
Deerfield has been allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based upon managements preliminary estimate of
their respective fair values as of the
date of acquisition. Definitive allocations will be performed and finalized after the completion of the Merger, as additional
information regarding fair values becomes available. Accordingly, the
purchase price allocation pro forma adjustments are preliminary, have been made solely for the purpose of providing unaudited pro
forma condensed combined financial data and are subject to
revision based on a final determination of fair value after the closing of the Merger. Certain reclassifications have been
made to the Deerfield historical balances in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements in order to conform to
the DFR presentation. Note 2Purchase Price of
Deerfield For the purpose of preparing the
accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2007, the estimated fair value of DFRs
purchase price was calculated as
follows: (in thousands, except
share information) Shares
issued
9,635,192 Multiplied
by
$
16.23
(1) Value of
shares
156,379 Less estimated cost to
issue and register shares
738
(2) Total estimated equity
component
155,641 Cash
component
145,000
(3) Estimated acquisition
costs
4,648
(4) Total estimated purchase
consideration
$
305,289
(1)
Represents the average closing stock price of DFR for the period April 18, 2007 through April 24, 2007, which is the period
from the two days prior and two days following the announcement of
the Merger Agreement on April 20, 2007. (2) Represents estimated legal and accounting costs
directly associated with DFRs issuance and registration of 9,635,192 shares in proposed Merger. (3) DFR has entered into a financing commitment
letter for $155.0 million, $145.0 million to be used as consideration for the purchase of Deerfield and $10.0 million for closing and
various other
merger related expenses. (4) Represents managements estimate of direct
costs of acquisition to be incurred by DFR. 87
The following is a summary of the preliminary
allocation of the above purchase price as reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet as of March 31,
2007: (in
thousands) Historical equity of
Deerfield
$
33,741 Distribution of cash to
Deerfield Members
(6,000
) Distribution of DFR stock
to Deerfield Members
(4,632
) Payoff of Deerfield
revolving note
2,000 Eliminate certain prepaid
assets and deferred costs
(728
) Cancellation of DFR stock
options held by Deerfield
(737
) Eliminate Deerfield
deferred compensation asset and associated liability related to DFR stock grant to Deerfield employees
296 Acceleration of deferred
revenue related to vesting of DFR stock and stock options granted to Deerfield
548 Estimated fair value of
identifiable intangible assets
115,224 Excess of purchase price
over adjusted net assets acquired - goodwill
165,577
$
305,289 See Note 3.8 for a discussion of
the methods used to determine the fair value of Deerfields identifiable intangible assets. Note 3Pro Forma Adjustments 3.1 -
To reflect distribution of cash and DFR common stock to selling members of
Deerfield as provided in the Merger Agreement. 3.2 -
To reflect the excess cash from the DFR financing over required cash payment as
outlined in the table below:
(in thousands)
Additional borrowing for deal related costs
$
10,000
Estimated acquisition costs
(4,648
)
Estimated debt issuance costs
(2,837
)
Estimated costs associated with registering and issuing shares
(738
)
$
1,777 3.3 -
Elimination of Deerfields investment advisory receivables related to management
and incentive fees earned by Deerfield pursuant to the management agreement
dated December 23, 2004 between Deerfield and DFR and corresponding DFR
management and incentive fee payable to related party. 3.4 -
Elimination of Deerfields other asset associated with certain DFR operating
expenses paid on behalf of DFR not yet reimbursed and the corresponding DFR
other payable. 3.5 -
To reflect the adjustment to fair value for certain Deerfield deferred financing
costs, deferred acquisition costs and prepaid assets. 3.6 -
To eliminate the deferred compensation cost and associated liability related to a
Deerfield employee stock grant whereby DFR shares were granted to Deerfield
employees as compensation. The grants will remain outstanding and will be
accounted for pursuant to SFAS 123R subsequent to the transaction. 88
3.7 -
To adjust long-term debt balances and associated interest expense for the
anticipated borrowing of $155.0 million by DFR to finance the $145.0 million cash
payment to Deerfield members. The remaining $10.0 million is expected to be used
for closing and other related costs. The related interest expense was calculated
using the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.50%. Debt issuance
costs are estimated at $2.8 million and are amortized based on the effective yield
method over the life of the debt resulting in additional interest expense of $0.6
million and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 and for the three
months ended March 31, 2007, respectively.
The pro forma interest expense adjustment was calculated as follows: (in
thousands)
Annual
Three-month Anticipated
borrowing
$
155,000
$
155,000 Interest rate (LIBOR +
2.50%)
7.93
%
7.93
% Days
outstanding
365/365
90/365 Pro forma
interest
12,289
3,030 Pro forma amortization of
debt issuance costs
643
161 Pro forma
adjustment
$
12,932
$
3,191
An interest rate change by 1/8th of one percent would have a $1.5 million impact on
the anticipated annual interest expense. 3.8 -
To adjust the book value of Deerfields intangible assets to their estimated fair value.
The preliminary allocations are as follows:
Value
Estimated
Estimated
Estimated
(in thousands)
(in years)
(in thousands) Intangible asset
class: Investment management
contractsCDOs and CLOs
$
35,447
6.5
$
5,453
$
1,363 Investment management
contractshedge funds and private investment accounts
54,187
15
3,612
903 Investment management
computer software systems
11,559
3
3,853
963 Trade name
14,031
Indefinite
Total
$
115,224
$
12,918
$
3,229
The investment management contracts were valued using the income approach. This
approach requires a projection of revenues and expenses specifically attributable to the
asset being valued so that an estimated cash flow stream can be derived. The income
approach indicates fair value based on the present value of the cash flows that the asset
can be expected to generate in the future.
The computer software system and Deerfield trade name were valued using the relief
from royalty method. This is a variation of the income approach. This method assumes that
if the subject intangible assets were not already available, a royalty would have to be paid
on the development and use of comparable alternative intangible assets.
No allocation has been made for contract termination costs related to the management
agreement under Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 04-1, Accounting for Preexisting
Relationships between the Parties to a Business Combination, as the contract is neither
favorable nor unfavorable from the perspective of DFR. 89
interest
expense
interest
expense
Average
Remaining
Useful Life
Annual
Amortization Expense
Three-Month
Amortization Expense
The $12.9 million and $3.2 million pro forma adjustments to amortization expense for the
year ended December 31, 2006 and the three months ended March 31, 2007 correspond to
the estimated annual and three-month expense outlined in the above table, respectively.
Amortization is computed on a straight-line basis. 3.9 -
The following table summarizes the adjustments to the weightedaverage number of shares
outstanding for both the basic and diluted calculation:
Shares
Shares issued to acquire Deerfield
9,635,192
Accelerated vesting of DFR restricted stock previously granted to Deerfield
under the management agreement in accordance with the Merger Agreement
134,615
9,769,807 3.10 -
To reflect the difference between purchase price consideration paid in excess of fair value
of tangible and identified intangible net assets acquired (goodwill). 3.11 -
To reflect the payoff of Deerfields historical revolving note outstanding. 3.12 -
To reflect the accelerated vesting of 134,615 shares of DFR restricted stock and options to
purchase 1,346,156 common shares of DFR granted to Deerfield under the management
agreement in accordance with the Merger Agreement. 3.13 -
To reflect the issuance of DFR shares to the Deerfield members. 3.14 -
To reflect the reduction to additional paid in capital associated with acquisition costs
incurred related to the stock issuance. 3.15 -
To reflect the elimination of Deerfields historical members equity. 3.16 -
To reflect the elimination of interest expense related to Deerfields historical amortization
of financing fees for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December
31, 2006. 3.17 -
To reflect the reversal of management and incentive fee revenue recognized by Deerfield and
corresponding management and incentive fee expense related to the management agreement
for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006. 3.18 -
To reflect the elimination of an amortization of deferred acquisition costs for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006. 3.19 -
To reverse the historical compensation expense associated with the amortization of the
deferred compensation related to Deerfields Class C profits only interests for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006. The Class C Profits
Only Interests are acquired by DFR in connection with the Merger Agreement. 3.20 -
Elimination of Deerfields historical mark-to-market adjustment related to Deerfields
option to purchase 1,346,156 common shares of DFR that were cancelled as a result of the
Merger Agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the year ended
December 31, 2006. 3.21 -
Adjustment to reflect the income tax provision associated with Deerfields (which will be a
taxable REIT subsidiary after the transaction) estimated taxable net income derived from
Deerfields reported net income adjusted for the net impact of all pro forma adjustments
using an estimated effective income tax rate of 40% for the three months ended March 31,
2007 and the year ended December 31, 2006. Deerfield was previously a pass-through entity
for federal and state income tax purposes. The state replacement taxes for Deerfield under
the previous ownership structure are eliminated as a result of the Merger. The pro forma
income tax provision assumes an estimated transfer pricing allocation between DFR and
Deerfield for the shared services provided by Deerfield to DFR. 3.22 -
To eliminate historical Deerfield dividend income recognized on DFR stock owned by
Deerfield and compensation expense related to the DFR dividends passed through to
employees pursuant to the Deerfield employee DFR stock grants. 3.23 -
To eliminate other income recognized by Deerfield related to the internal audit services to
DFR and the corresponding expense recognized by DFR. 90
Note 4Estimated Pro Forma Earnings
Available for Distribution The following table sets forth the
unaudited pro forma combined earnings available for distribution for the year ended December 31, 2006, to give effect to the Merger,
the financing and the
related transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2006. Estimated combined earnings available for distribution is a
non-GAAP financial measure. The unaudited pro forma combined earnings
available for distribution do not reflect the impact of the potential revenue and expense synergies as a result of this
transaction. We believe the internalization of our manager will enhance the
efficiency of our cost structure and we are working towards realizing material cost savings. In addition, we believe the
combination of the highly scalable nature of DCMs asset management business
and the potentially broader access that DCM may have to capital afforded by its acquisition by a public company will better
position us to leverage DCMs existing infrastructure and investment
personnel to launch new products and business lines to further enhance and diversify our revenue streams. For these reasons, we
believe the Merger will be accretive to our net income and estimated
pro forma earnings available for distribution to our shareholders. We may not, however, realize any of the potential revenue and
expense synergies we are seeking in connection with the Merger and,
furthermore, we may not increase our distributions or pay distributions in excess of our taxable income. See Risk
Factors. The following table reconciles GAAP net income to estimated combined
earnings available for distribution:
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2006
DFR
Deerfield
DFR GAAP net
income
$
71,575
$
27,437
$
99,012 Tax Adjustments to GAAP
net income: Difference in rate of
amortization and accretion
3,528
1,941
5,469 Interest on non-accrual
loans
696
696 Amortization of
terminated swaps
983
983 Amortization of financing
element in swap
(214
)
(214
) Hedge
ineffectiveness
170
170 Provision for loan
losses
2,000
2,000 Stock and options
grant
136
1,140
1,276 Organization
costs
(9
)
(9
) Non-allowable deduction
for meals, entertainment
137
39
176 Offshore TRS book / tax
differences
604
604 Dividends treated as
return of capital
(500
)
(500
) Security basis difference
recognized upon sale
(708
)
(708
) Realized gain previously
deferred for tax as return of capital
1,385
1,385 Gain on intercompany sale
eliminated for GAAP
204
204 Unrealized impairment of
available-for-sale securities
7,005
758
7,763 Other unrealized (gain)
loss
(638
)
59
(579
) Exclusion of Deerfield
Triarc TRS Holdings, LLC net income
(9
)
(9
) Deferred rent
expense
955
955 Deferred compensation to
Members
493
493 Net adjustments to GAAP
net income
14,770
5,385
20,155 Estimated taxable income
before pro forma adjustments
86,345
32,822
119,167 Pro forma condensed
combined statement of operations adjustments Eliminate DFR management
fee expense and Deerfield
15,696
(15,696
)
Eliminate DFR incentive
fee expense and Deerfield investment advisory fee
3,335
(3,335
)
Interest expense on
anticipated $155.0 million term loan borrowing
(12,932
)
(12,932
) Amortization expense on
estimated intangible assets
(12,918
)
(12,918
) Other pro forma
adjustments
129
(604
)
(475
) Net pro forma condensed
combined statement of operations adjustments(1)
19,160
(45,485
)
(26,325
) 91
Combined
and business gifts
investment advisory fee
Note 4Estimated Pro Forma Earnings
Available for Distribution (Continued)
(in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2006
DFR
Deerfield
DFR Pro forma tax
adjustments: Estimated transfer
pricing expense to DFR and revenue for Deerfield(2)
(18,906
)
18,906
Eliminate pro forma GAAP
intangible amortization expense
12,918
12,918 Estimated goodwill tax
deduction
(2,112
)
(16,608
)
(18,720
) Elimination of historical
tax adjustments resulting from pro forma adjustments(3)
(918
)
(918
) Pro forma estimated
taxable income
84,487
1,635
86,122 Add back goodwill tax
deduction
2,112
16,608
18,720 Estimated pro forma
earnings available for distribution
$
86,599
$
18,243
$
104,842 Weightedaverage
number of shares outsandingbasic
51,419
9,770
61,189 Weightedaverage
number of shares outsandingdiluted
51,581
9,770
61,351
(1)
Net pro forma condensed combined statement operation adjustments represents the total net impact of the pro forma adjustments
for the year ended December 31, 2006. Please refer to the
amounts and notes referenced on the Unaudited Pro forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations. (2) Estimated transfer pricing expense to DFR and
revenue for Deerfield represents the adjustment to reflect an estimated transfer pricing allocation between DFR and Deerfield for the
shared
services provided by Deerfield to DFR. The estimated transfer pricing calculation was based on preliminary analysis that will
not be finalized until a transfer pricing study is completed. (3) Elimination of historical tax adjustments
resulting from pro forma adjustments represents amounts included in the Net adjustments to GAAP net income for Deerfield that will be
eliminated as a
result of the Merger, which are detailed below: Deferred compensation
associated with Class C Profits Only Interests which vested in conjunction with the Merger
$
(617
) Deferred compensation to
Members
(493
) Amortization of DFR stock
and option grant held by Deerfield which vested in conjunction with the Merger
136 Net deferred financing and
acquisition costs book versus tax amortization. These deferred costs were realized in conjunction with the Merger.
56
$
(918
) Historically, DFR has presented
estimated REIT taxable income, a non-GAAP measure, to investors because it demonstrates the estimated minimum amount of distributions
we must make in
order to avoid corporate level income tax. However, as a result of the proposed Merger we have presented estimated pro forma
earnings available for distribution, a non-GAAP measure. We believe
it is useful for investors because it demonstrates our estimated pro forma ability to make distributions in excess of our prior
measure of estimated REIT taxable income. In addition to our intent to
distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to deduction for dividends paid
and excluding net capital gain) on an annual basis in order to
maintain our REIT qualification, we may elect to distribute additional available earnings in excess of our pro forma estimated
taxable income. Our distributions may not necessarily correlate to our
estimated pro forma earnings available for distribution and future distributions will be at the discretion of our board of
directors and will depend upon, among other things, our actual results of
operations, our cash flow and what we believe to be an appropriate and competitive dividend yield. Our ability to pay distributions
will be affected by various factors, including the net interest and
other income from our portfolio, the revenue generated by DCM following the Merger, the ability to repay debt financing and
maintain covenant compliance the effect of any dividends from the
TRSs that will own Deerfield on our compliance with the 75% REIT gross income test and our operating expenses and other
expenditures. 92
Combined
Estimated pro forma earnings available for
distribution will not necessarily bear any close relation to cash flow. Moreover, there are limitations associated with estimated pro
forma earnings
available for distribution as a measure of our financial performance over any period and our presentation of estimated pro forma
earnings available for distribution may not be comparable to similar
financial measures of other companies, who may use different calculations and assumptions. As a result, estimated pro forma
earnings available for distribution should not be considered as a substitute
for our GAAP net income as a measure of our financial performance. With the acquisition of Deerfield,
we will benefit from a substantial tax deduction related to the excess purchase price paid over the fair value of tangible assets,
commonly referred to as
goodwill. This deduction will reduce the amount of taxable income and tax liability of the TRSs that will own Deerfield over the
next 15 years. Although our taxable income will be reduced, we may
elect to distribute additional available cash earnings in excess of our taxable income. Although there is no assurance that we
would distribute additional available cash earnings in excess of our
taxable income, we have disclosed the estimated 2006 pro forma earnings that would be available for distribution after adding back
the estimated goodwill tax deduction. Additionally, we have
disclosed the related estimated pro forma tax adjustments to each entitys estimated taxable income due to the proposed
Merger. We believe the opportunity to increase our distributions will be
accretive to our shareholders, as demonstrated in the pro forma 2006 analyses above, however there is no assurance this will be the
case. Should we elect to pay distributions in excess of our taxable
income, our shareholders would only be taxed currently on the portion of the distribution attributable to the taxable income of DFR
as reflected in DFRs earnings and profits for federal income tax
purposes. Any excess distribution would reduce the shareholders tax basis in their DFR shares, deferring the tax until
disposition of the shares. 93
ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS Our bylaws provide for a board
consisting of not less than five nor more than 15 members, unless otherwise determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Board. Directors are elected
by our stockholders at each Meeting. The Board has set at seven the number of directors constituting the current Board. Our charter divides the Board into
three classes. The initial term of the Class III directors, Robert B. Machinist and Jonathan W. Trutter, is set to expire at the
Meeting. Those directors have
been nominated for reelection to serve as directors for a three-year term expiring at our annual meeting in 2010 or until their
successors are elected or appointed. If any nominee becomes unavailable
or unwilling to serve as a director for any reason, the persons named as proxies in the form of proxy are expected to consult with
our Board, which would
solicit the recommendation of our Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, in voting the shares represented by them. The
Board has no reason to doubt the availability of any nominee, and
each has indicated his willingness to serve as a director if elected by the stockholders at the Meeting. The nominees backgrounds are
as follows:
Name
Age
Biography
Robert B. Machinist
54
Mr. Machinist has been a member of our Board since December 2004. Since August 2004, he has been a managing partner of MB
Investment Partners, a money
management firm. Since 2003, Mr. Machinist has been non-executive Chairman of Dobi Medical, Inc., a manufacturer of breast
imaging technology. Since 2004,
he has been a director of Traffix, Inc., an interactive media company, and a member of its audit committee. From 1998 to
December 2001, Mr. Machinist was
managing director and head of investment banking for the Bank of New York and its Capital Markets division. From January 1986
to November 1998, he was
president and one of the principal founders of Patricof & Co. Capital Corp., an investment bank, and its successor
companies.
Jonathan W. Trutter
49
Mr. Trutter has been a member of our Board since November 2004, and our Chief Executive Officer since December 2004. Mr.
Trutter is also the Chief
Investment Officer of our manager, DCM, and the Senior Managing Director responsible for its bank loan investing. Mr. Trutter
joined DCM in 2000. From 1989
to 2000, he was a Managing Director of Scudder Kemper Investments, an investment manager, where he directed the Bank
Loan/Private Placement Department. Vote Required and Board
Recommendation For the election of directors, you
may vote in favor of some or all of the nominees or withhold your vote as to some or all of the nominees. If a quorum is present,
then the nominees receiving
a plurality of the votes cast at the Meeting will be elected directors. The Board recommends a vote
FOR each of the two nominees for director listed above. 94
Our Process for Nominating
Director Candidates The charter of our Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee provides that the Committee shall consider director nominations from our stockholders. The nominating
stockholder must have
held his shares of our common stock for at least six months before submitting the nomination, we must receive the nomination at
least 120 days before we mail the proxy materials for the
stockholders meeting for which the nomination is proposed, and the stockholder must provide a detailed statement of the
nominees qualifications and the nominees written consent. The Committee
has not established specific minimum qualifications, or specific qualities or skills, for directors. The Committee recommends
candidates based on its overall assessment of their skills and characteristics,
and the composition of the Board as a whole, including the nominees independence under our categorical independence
standards, and director diversity, skills and experience in the context of the
Boards needs. The Committees process for identifying and evaluating director nominees is general in nature, based on
such factors as recommendations from our directors and officers and
participants in the real estate investment trust industry. The nominees for director listed above were recommended by the
Committee, which is composed entirely of non-management directors. The following table shows our
incumbent directors, their ages and their business backgrounds.
Name
Age
Biography
Peter H. Rothschild
51
Mr. Rothschild has been a member of our Board since December 2004 and the interim Chairman of our Board since April 19, 2007.
As a Class I director, his
current term expires in 2008. He has been a member of the board of Wendys International, Inc., a restaurant operator and
franchise company, since March 2006.
Mr. Rothschild has been the Managing Member of Daroth Capital LLC, a holding company, since its founding in 2001, and is the
President and CEO of its
wholly owned subsidiary, Daroth Capital Advisors LLC, a securities broker-dealer, since 2002. Prior to founding Daroth Capital,
Mr. Rothschild was a Managing
Director and Co-Head of the Leveraged Finance and Industrial Finance groups at Wasserstein Perella, an investment bank, the
predecessor company to Dresdner
Kleinwort Wasserstein and was with the organization from 1996 to 2001. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Rothschild was a Senior Managing
Director and Head of the
Natural Resources Group at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., a broker-dealer, and was one of the founders of the firms
Leveraged Finance and Financial Buyer Coverage
groups. From 1984 to 1990, Mr. Rothschild was a Managing Director and Head of the Industrial Group at Drexel Burnham Lambert,
an investment bank. 95
Name
Age
Biography
Robert E. Fischer
77
Mr. Fischer has been a member of our Board since December 2004. As a Class I director, his current term expires in 2008. He is
a Senior Partner in the
Corporate Practices Group at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, LLP. He has been with the firm since 1998. From 1961 to 1998,
Mr. Fischer practiced law at
Lowenthal, Landau, Fischer & Bring P.C., which merged with the Wolf Block firm in 1998. Mr. Fischer is a board member of a
trust established to oversee the
liquidation of assets of Allegiance Telecom Inc. and its subsidiaries. He has previously served on the board and audit
committee of the DLJ International Fund
(from June 1995 to November 2000), the DLJ Emerging Markets Fund (from June 1995 to November 2000), and the DLJ High Yield Bond
Fund (from July 1998
to November 2000).
Nelson Peltz
64
Mr. Peltz has been a member of our Board since November 2004 and was the Chairman of our Board from November 2004 until April
19, 2007. As a Class I
director, his current term expires in 2008. Since April 1993, he has been a director and the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Triarc Companies, Inc., or
Triarc, and a director or manager and officer of certain of Triarcs subsidiaries. Mr. Peltz has been Chief Executive
Officer and was a founding partner of Trian
Fund Management, L.P., a management company for various investment funds and accounts, since November 2005. From its formation
in January 1989 to April
1993, Mr. Peltz was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trian Group, Limited Partnership, which provided investment banking
and management services for
entities controlled by Mr. Peltz and Peter May, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Triarc. From 1983 to December
1988, Mr. Peltz was Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer and a director of Triangle Industries, Inc., which, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, was, at that
time, a manufacturer of packaging
products, copper electrical wire and cable and steel conduit and currency and coin handling products. Mr. Peltz has been a
director of H.J. Heinz Company since
September 2006.
Howard Rubin
52
Mr. Rubin has been a member of our Board since December 2004. As a Class II director, his current term expires in 2009. Since
1999, he has been retired,
although he continues to serve as a director on various boards. Since 2000, he has been a member of the board of directors and
the chairman of the audit
committee of Capstead Mortgage Corporation, a real estate investment trust, and from 2004 to the present he has been a director
of Global Signal Inc., a
communications company. He has over 20 years of experience trading mortgage-backed securities. From 1987 to his retirement in
1999, Mr. Rubin was a Senior
Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., a broker-dealer, where he managed the Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
desk.
96
Name
Age
Biography
Gregory H. Sachs
41
Mr. Sachs has been a member of our Board since November 2004. As a Class II director, his current term expires in 2009. He has
been the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of DCM and its immediate parent company Deerfield & Company LLC, or Deerfield, since 1993 (including the
DCM and Deerfield predecessor
companies) and a director of Triarc since August 2004. Prior to founding Deerfield, Mr. Sachs was, from 1991-1993, Vice
President and Trading Manager of
Harris Trust and Savings Banks Global Fixed Income Trading Division, the banks proprietary trading group. Prior to
joining Harris Trust and Savings Bank, Mr.
Sachs was a fixed income portfolio manager at Lotsoff Capital Management, an investment adviser. Our Board has determined that the
following members of the Board are independent as that term is defined in our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the general
independence standards of
the NYSE: Name
Class Robert E.
Fischer
I (term expires 2008) Robert B.
Machinist
III (term expires 2007) Peter H.
Rothschild
I (term expires 2008) Howard
Rubin
II (term expires 2009) These directors constitute a
majority of our Board of seven directors, and are the only members of our Board committees, which are the four standing committees of
the Boardthe Audit,
Compensation, and Nominating & Corporate Governance committees, and the Standing Committee of Independent Directors and the
Special Committee. The Board has also determined that the four
independent directors have no material relationships with us. The Guidelines also set forth our
policies regarding the qualifications of directors, the identification of candidates for Board positions, the responsibilities of
directors, the committees of the
Board, the performance of our external manager, director access to our officers, director orientation and continuing education,
director annual performance evaluation and director compensation. A
current copy of the Guidelines is available on our website at http://www.deerfieldtriarc.com, under the section entitled
Stockholder InfoCorporate Governance. The information on our website is not
incorporated in this proxy statement. Number of Board Meetings in
2006 The Board held eleven meetings in
2006. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the meetings of the committees of the Board on which they
served. Director Attendance at Annual
Meetings Our Board has not adopted a formal
policy regarding director attendance at annual meetings of the stockholders, but encourages such attendance. All directors attended
our 2006 annual meeting. Our Board has established four
standing committees of the Boardan Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating & Corporate Governance
Committee, and a Standing Committee
of the Independent Directors. The Board may form other committees as circumstances warrant. They have such authority and
responsibility as the Board delegates. Each committee has a written
charter. The following table sets forth certain information for each committee for the year ended December 31, 2006. 97
Committee
Committee
Committee
Number of
Summary of Committee Functions
Audit
Committee
Peter H.
RothschildRobert B.
Machinist
Peter H. Rothschild
8
Assists the Board in overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes, the integrity and audits of our consolidated
financial statements, our compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements, the qualifications and independence of our accountants and the performance of those
accountants and our internal auditors;
engages our accountants and reviews with the accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement; approves professional
services provided by the
accountants; determines the independence of the accountants; reviews the adequacy of our internal accounting
controls.
Compensation
Committee
Robert B.
MachinistPeter H.
Rothschild
Robert B. Machinist
3
Reviews director compensation and makes related recommendations to the Board; makes recommendations to the Board regarding our
Stock Incentive Plan;
administers and approves the grant of awards under the plan.
Nominating &
Corporate
Governance
Committee
Robert B.
MachinistPeter H.
Rothschild
Robert E. Fischer
2
Recommends to the Board qualified candidates for election as directors and recommends to the Board a slate of nominees for
election as directors at the annual
meeting of stockholders; submits to the Board selection criteria for director nominees; advises the Board on matters involving
general operation of the Board and
our corporate governance; annually recommends to the Board nominees for each Board committee; facilitates the assessment of the
Boards performance and of the
individual directors and reports thereon to the Board.
Standing
Committee of
Independent
Directors
Robert E.
FischerRobert B.
Machinist
Chair rotates among
the Chairs of the
Compensation,
Nominating &
Corporate
Governance and
Audit Committees, in
that order
3
Determines whether to approve investments that DCM proposes to effectuate for us in which DCM may have a conflict of interest
because it may obtain a
collateral benefit from the investment. In March, 2007, the Board also
established the Special Committee, which is not a standing committee of the Board. In May 2007, in connection with its
April 2007 designation of Mr. Rothschild as the interim Chairman of the Board, the Board designated Mr. Machinist to replace Mr.
Rothschild as chair of the
Audit Committee, and Mr. Rothschild to replace Mr. Machinist as chair of the Compensation Committee. There was no change, however,
in the composition of the member of the committees. The Board has determined that Peter
H. Rothschild, an independent director and member of the Audit Committee and its chair through May 2007, is an audit committee
financial expert as
defined by the SEC. The table below describes the
compensation earned by our directors in 2006. We compensated only those directors who are independent under the NYSE listing
standards. 98
Name
Members
Chair
Committee
Meetings in
2006
(See Committee charters for
full descriptions)
Howard Rubin
Robert E. Fischer
Robert E. Fischer
Peter H. Rothschild
Howard Rubin
Our processes and procedures for considering and
determining the amount of compensation we pay our independent directors consist of an annual review of director compensation by our
Compensation Committee, based on factors such as our existing compensation structure, the compensation paid by comparable real
estate investment trusts, the amount of time expected to be
devoted by our independent directors to our matters, and the complexity of those matters. Pursuant to its charter, the Committee
recommends to the Board the compensation for the current year,
and the Board makes a determination. The charter permits the Committee to delegate the consideration of director compensation to
one or more subcommittees of the Compensation Committee, but
the Committee has not done so. Our executive officers are not involved in director compensation decisions, and we have not retained
compensation consultants.
Name
Fees Earned or Paid
Stock Awards(2)
Total Peter H.
Rothschild(3)
$
112,000.00
$
32,500.00
$
144,500.00 Robert E.
Fischer(4)
$
102,000.00
$
32,500.00
$
134,500.00 Robert B.
Machinist(5)
$
102,000.00
$
32,500.00
$
134,500.00 Howard
Rubin
$
86,000.00
$
32,500.00
$
118,500.00
(1)
In 2006, each independent director earned a cash retainer of $65,000, a fee of $1,500 for each Board meeting attended (in
person or by telephone) and a fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting
attended (in person or by telephone) on a date that a Board meeting was not held. On January 30, 2007, we revised this policy,
such that a meeting fee will be earned on a date that a Board
meeting is held, provided that the additional preparation time for the committee meeting is significant. We also reimburse our
independent directors for their travel expenses in attending Board
and committee meetings. In October 2006, we established an additional Board committee, the Standing Committee of Independent
Directors, and we pay each committee member a fee of $1,500
for each committee meeting attended (in person or by telephone), whether or not on a date that a Board meeting is held. The
members of this committee are our independent directors. Each
independent directors total 2006 compensation consisted of the above-noted committee fees and the cash retainers in
footnotes (3)-(5) below. (2) In February 2006 we granted each independent
director 2,500 shares of our common stock. The share grant became vested on the date of the grant. The closing price on the NYSE of
our shares
on the grant date was $13.00 per share. We granted each independent director a similar award of 2,500 shares in January 2007.
The NYSE closing price of our shares on the date of grant was
$16.50. We had also granted 3,000 shares to each independent director in May 2005, which vested on the grant date. As of
December 31, 2006, the aggregate number of outstanding shares
awarded to each independent director was 5,500 shares. We have not awarded stock options to our directors. (3) In 2006, Mr. Rothschild, as the chairperson of
our Audit Committee, earned an additional cash retainer of $25,000, for a total 2006 cash retainer of $90,000. (4) In 2006, Mr. Fischer, as the chairperson of our
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, earned an additional cash retainer of $15,000, for a total 2006 cash retainer of
$80,000. (5) In 2006, Mr. Machinist, as the chairperson of
our Compensation Committee, earned an additional cash retainer of $15,000, for a total 2006 cash retainer of $80,000. Executive Sessions of our
Board Our Corporate Governance Guidelines
provide for our independent directors to meet in executive session at least quarterly. The director who presides at these sessions is
rotated among the
Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance, and Audit Committees. If any of our non-management directors do not qualify as
independent, the Guidelines provide for them to meet at 99
in Cash(1)
least annually in a separate executive session with the independent directors.
Our independent directors met three times in executive session during 2006. OUR VOTING STOCK AND
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF THAT STOCK Persons That Beneficially Own
More Than 5% of Our Voting Securities The following table shows, as of
May 14, 2007, the persons that are known to us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, which is the only
security we have issued.
Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote. As of May 14, 2007, there were 51,732,066 such shares outstanding. The
table is based on information available to us, including stockholder
filings with the SEC, under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 1934 Act.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Number of Shares
Percentage of Robert C. Dart, Robert C.
Dart Residual Trust, Rushmore Investments Ltd., Copper Mountain Investments Limited, William A. Dart, Claire T. Dart, and the William
and Claire Dart Foundation (collectively, the Dart Entities)(1), P.O. Box 31363 SMB, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands,
BWI
11,070,600
21.4
% RREEF America, L.L.C.,
Deutsche Asset Management, Inc., Deutsche Investment Management Americas and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. (collectively, the
Deutsche Bank Entities) Taunusanlage 12, D-60325, Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany(2)
2,677,500
5.1
%
(1)
Based on a Schedule 13D filed May 3, 2006 by each Dart Entity, the Dart Entities disclaim membership in a group, and certain of
the Dart Entities disclaim beneficial ownership of our shares
held by certain other Dart Entities. (Specifically, Rushmore, Copper Mountain and the Dart Foundation disclaim such ownership
of the shares held by the other Dart Entities, Robert Dart
disclaims such ownership of the shares held by Copper Mountain and the Dart Foundation, and the Robert Dart Residual Trust,
William A. Dart and Claire T. Dart disclaim such ownership of
the shares held by Rushmore and the Dart Foundation.) The Schedule 13D provides details as to the voting and investment power
of each Dart Entity, and the right of each Dart Entity to
acquire our shares within 60 days. (2) Based on a Schedule 13G filed February 1, 2007
by each Deutsche Bank Entity. The Schedule 13G provides details as to the voting and investment power of each Deutsche Bank
Entity. OWNERSHIP OF
OUR STOCK BY OUR DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS The following table below shows, as
of May 14, 2007, the beneficial ownership of our common stock by our directors and officers. None of the shares shown in column (2)
has been pledged as
security and none of the directors or officers has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of any additional shares within 60
days after May 14, 2007. Unless indicated otherwise in the footnotes, the
address of each individual listed in the table is c/o Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemount,
Illinois 60018. 100
of Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned
Outstanding
Shares of Our
Common Stock
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
Amount and Nature of
Percentage of Nelson Peltz(2)
2,207,975
4.27
% Gregory H.
Sachs(3)
1,339,975
2.59
% Robert E.
Fischer(4)
11,458
* Robert B.
Machinist(4)
8,000
* Peter H.
Rothschild(4)(5)
11,333
* Howard Rubin(4)
58,000
* Jonathan W.
Trutter
40,653
* Robert C.
Grien
72,660
* Richard G.
Smith
10,000
* Frederick L.
White
All directors and
executive officers
2,553,579
4.94
%
*
Less than 1%. (1) Based on 51,732,066 shares of our common stock
outstanding as of May 14, 2007. Does not include 1,346,156 shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted to
DCM in 2004, or
970,310 shares of common stock available for future issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan. (2) Mr. Peltz is a director of DCM and Deerfield, an
executive officer and director of Triarc, and a significant stockholder of Triarc, which indirectly owns a majority interest in DCM.
Therefore, Mr.
Peltz may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of our common stock owned by Triarc and DCM. The shares shown above as
beneficially owned by Mr. Peltz include (i) 1,000,000 shares
acquired by Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Triarc, in 2004, (ii) 309,038 shares owned by DCM, and 897,437
shares issuable upon exercise of options we granted in 2004 to DCM
from the Stock Incentive Plan, which options are exercisable within 60 days and exclude options to purchase 448,719 shares we
granted to DCM in 2004 which are not exercisable within 60 days,
and (iii) 1,500 shares held by an adult child currently residing in Mr. Peltzs household. Mr. Peltz disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares. (3) Mr. Sachs is a director and executive officer of
DCM and Deerfield, a significant owner of Deerfield (which owns 100% of DCM), and a director of Triarc. Therefore, he may be deemed to
beneficially own our shares that are owned by DCM. Includes the 309,038 shares owned by DCM and the 897,437 shares issuable
upon exercise of options we granted to DCM in 2004, which
options are exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Sachs disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. Does not include options to
purchase 448,719 shares of our common stock granted to DCM in
2004 which are not exercisable within 60 days. (4) Includes 3,000 shares of stock granted to each
of our independent directors in May 2005 under our Stock Incentive Plan and 2,500 shares of stock granted to each of our independent
directors on
each of May 2006 and May 2007 under that plan. (5) Includes 3,333 of our shares owned by Daroth
Investors LLC, of which Mr. Rothschild is a member. Accordingly, he may be deemed to beneficially own shares owned by Daroth. Mr.
Rothschild
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. (6) 1,206,475 of the shares included in this total
are included in the number of our shares shown as beneficially owned by both Mr. Peltz and Mr. Sachs and are therefore counted twice
in the total. Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance Section 16 of the 1934 Act requires
our directors, executive officers, and persons beneficially owning more than 10% of our common stock (reporting persons) to file with
the SEC, by specified
due dates, reports of ownership of our stock and changes in that ownership, as well as reports on SEC Form 3 of their becoming a
reporting person whether or not they own any of our stock on that
date. They also must furnish us with copies of these reports. We must report in this proxy statement 101
Beneficial Ownership
Outstanding
Shares of Our
Common Stock
as a group (10 persons)(6)
any failure to file a required report, or a failure timely to file the report.
Based solely on our review of the filed reports, or written representations from reporting persons that all reportable
transactions were reported, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 our reporting persons filed all reports
they were required to file under Section 16(a), and that they timely
filed these reports except that a Form 3 report was not timely filed for Richard Smith upon his becoming our chief financial
officer in March 1, 2006. Mr. Smith filed the report on May 22, 2006
promptly upon becoming aware of the filing requirement. Mr. Smith did not beneficially own any of our stock until after he filed
the report, and he timely filed a report of his purchase of such stock. The following table lists our
executive officers, and shows their ages, and positions with us, and their business backgrounds for the last five years. They serve
at the Boards discretion.
Name
Age
Position(s) Held & Biography
Jonathan W. Trutter
49
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Trutters biographical information appears above under Election of
Directors.
Robert C. Grien
47
President. Mr. Grien has held this position since December 2004. He is a Senior Managing Director of DCM, where he has
been employed since 2004. Prior to
that, Mr. Grien co-founded Kelso Mezzanine Fund, L.P., in 2002, and before that he was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse
First Boston and Donaldson
Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, or DLJ. Mr. Grien joined DLJ, an investment bank, in 1989 and became Chief Credit
Officer of DLJs Investment
Banking Group in 1997, Chief Credit Officer of DLJs Leveraged Finance Group in 1998, and Chief Credit Officer of both of
these groups in 2000. Following the
acquisition of DLJ in 2000 by Credit Suisse Group, an investment bank, through its affiliate Credit Suisse First Boston, Mr.
Grien joined DLJ Strategic Partners,
L.P., as one of two founding Managing Partners and as a member of its investment committee.
Richard G. Smith
50
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Smith has held these positions since March 1, 2006. He had
been senior vice president of
finance of DCM since January 2006. Prior to joining DCM, he had been employed by JP Morgan Chase & Company, a commercial
bank, most recently as Director
of Accounting and Financial Reporting, since July 2004, and by Bank One Corporation, a commercial bank, since October 1993. Mr.
Smith is a certified public
accountant.
Frederick L. White
62
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. White has held these positions since December 2004. He is a
Managing Director and General Counsel
of DCM and General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Deerfield. Mr. White joined Deerfield in 2002. From 1989 to 2002, Mr.
White was a partner in the law
firm of Gardner, Carton & Douglas. We have not adopted a code of
ethics that applies only to our officers, because our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is written broadly to apply to our officers
and the functions they
oversee. 102
We have no employees. We are
managed by DCM pursuant to the management agreement between DCM and us. All of our executive officers are employees of DCM or one or
more of its
affiliates. We have not paid, and unless we complete the Merger, do not intend to pay, any annual compensation to our executive
officers. We have always been externally managed and have not had
our own management personnel. If we complete the Merger, we expect to employ all or most of the DCM employees who conduct all or
substantially all of their DCM activities for us. We must
design and implement our own compensation structure for these employees. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The Board has determined that each
member of our Compensation Committee is independent as defined in the NYSE listing standards. During 2006, no interlocking
relationship existed between
any member of the board of directors or any member of the compensation committee of any other company. Our Audit Committee assists our
Board in monitoring our financial reporting process. Management has primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process, including the
system of internal controls. The independent auditors are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of our financial
statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. In fulfilling its responsibilities,
the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 with our management team and our accountants. The Committee discussed with the accountants the matters required
to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, and the accountants independence from us and our management and has
received from the independent auditors the written disclosures required
by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. In reliance on the reviews and
discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, the inclusion of the audited
financial statements in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, for filing with the SEC. Respectfully submitted, Peter H. Rothschild 103
Robert B.
Machinist, Chair
Howard Rubin
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT
AUDITOR Deloitte & Touche LLP, or
Deloitte, was our independent auditor, for our 2005 and 2006 fiscal years, and our Audit Committee has decided to renew
Deloittes engagement as our accountants for
the 2007 fiscal year, subject to stockholder ratification. Deloitte representatives are expected to attend the Meeting and to be
available to answer appropriate questions, and will have an opportunity
to make a statement if they wish to do so. Accountants Fees for
2005 and 2006 The following table sets forth the
services of and fees we paid to Deloitte for each of the last two fiscal years.
Fee
Year
Amount
Description of Services Audit
2005
$
410,888
Audit of our 2005 financial statements, and the review of our financial statements in our Form 10-Q reports.
2006
$
639,380
Audit of our 2006 financial statements, and the review of our financial statements in our Form 10-Q reports including an
assessment of the effectiveness of our
internal controls over financial reporting. Audit
Related
2005
$
2006
$
Tax
2005
$
159,330
Preparing our 2005 federal and state income tax returns, other compliance reporting, calculation of taxable income on certain
of our investments, and review of
our 2005 taxable income and REIT qualification test calculations.
2006
$
213,495
Preparing our 2006 federal and state income tax returns, other compliance reporting, calculation of taxable income on certain
of our investments, and review of
our 2006 taxable income and REIT qualification test calculations. All
Other
2005
$
307,624
Services relating to our initial public offering and our 2005 resale shelf registration statement.
2006
$
46,988
Services relating to a certain agreed upon procedures in connection with a revolving warehouse facility. Approval of the
Accountants Services Our Audit Committee has adopted
policies and procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided to us by our independent auditors and their
affiliates. These policies
require the specific pre-approval of any such services that have not received the Committees general pre-approval, or that
have exceeded the Committees pre-approved fee levels. These procedures
include monitoring the accountants services to determine if they comply with the pre-approval policies, and the
accountants submission of a statement to the Committee that any services they
perform that require separate pre-approval comply with the SECs rules on auditor independence. The Committee pre-approved 99% of
the non-audit fees in the table above. The fees that were not pre-approved were approximately $10,000 in 2006 for tax related
services in connection with
the preparation of several state tax returns for our equity investment in a portfolio company. Those fees were approved by the
Committee in January 2007 after the services were performed but prior
to payment to Deloitte. Vote Required and Board
Recommendation Ratification of Independent
Auditors. For the proposal to ratify the appointment of the independent auditors, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against
the proposal or abstain from voting. If
a quorum is present, ratification of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such
matter. The Board recommends a vote
FOR ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent auditors. 104
APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO OUR STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN Our stockholders will be asked to
approve an amendment to the Stock Incentive Plan to increase from 2,692,313 to 6,136,725 the number of shares of DFRs common
stock reserved for issuance
under the Stock Incentive Plan. Our Board has adopted the Stock
Incentive Plan, subject to stockholder approval at the Meeting, to make the revision summarized above. Assuming we consummate the
Merger we will, for the
first time, have employees (directly or at the DCM subsidiary level) and will need to structure long term incentive compensation to
attract and retain our employees. The Board believes that
increasing the number of shares of our common stock under the Stock Incentive Plan is an important part of our ability to attract
and retain employees. Summary of the Stock Incentive Plan The following is a general
description of the terms and provisions of the Stock Incentive Plan and does not purport to be complete. All such statements are
qualified in their entirety by reference
to the full text of the Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, which is attached to this document as Annex
F. Our Stock Incentive Plan In connection with our formation as
a REIT, we established the Stock Incentive Plan for the purpose of attracting and retaining our executive officers, employees,
directors and other persons and
entities that provide services to us. The Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of options to purchase common stock and the
grant of stock awards, performance shares and stock appreciation
rights. Administration of the Stock
Incentive Plan is carried out by the compensation committee of the Board. The committee may delegate its authority under the Stock
Incentive Plan to one or more
officers but it may not delegate its authority with respect to awards to individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. As
used in this summary, the term administrator means the compensation
committee and its delegate. Our officers and employees and
those of our affiliates are eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. Our directors and other persons and entities that
provide services to us are also
eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. Up to 2,692,313 shares of common
stock are available for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan. The share authorization, any incentive stock option limit and the
terms of outstanding awards
will be adjusted as the Board determines is appropriate in the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reclassification of shares
or similar events. The Stock Incentive Plan provides
for the grant of (i) options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code and (ii) options that are
not intended to so qualify.
The principal difference between incentive stock options and other options is that a participant generally will not recognize
ordinary income at the time an incentive stock option is granted or
exercised, but rather at the time the participant disposes of the shares acquired under the incentive stock option. In contrast,
the exercise of an option that is not an incentive stock option generally is
a taxable event that requires the participant to recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the shares fair
market value and the option price. The employer will not be entitled to a
federal income tax deduction with respect to incentive stock options except in the case of certain dispositions of shares acquired
under the options. The employer may claim a federal income tax
deduction on account of the exercise of an option that is not an incentive stock option equal to the amount of ordinary income
recognized by the participant. 105
TO INCREASE THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN
The administrator will select the participants who
are granted options and, consistent with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, will prescribe the terms of each option. The option
price cannot
be less than the shares fair market value on the date the option is granted. Except for adjustments on account of stock
dividends, stock splits and similar events (described above), the option price of
an outstanding option cannot be reduced without the approval of our stockholders. The option price may be paid in cash or, with the
administrators consent, by surrendering shares of common stock,
or a combination of cash and common stock. Options may be exercised in accordance with requirements set by the administrator. The
maximum period in which an option may be exercised will be
fixed by the administrator but cannot exceed ten years. Options generally will be nontransferable except in the event of the
participants death but the administrator may allow the transfer of options
to members of the participants immediate family, a family trust or a family partnership. No participant may be granted
incentive stock options that are first exercisable in a calendar year for common
stock having a total fair market value (determined as of the option grant), exceeding $100,000. The administrator also will select
the participants who are granted stock awards and, consistent with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, will establish the terms of
each stock award. A stock
award may be subject to vesting requirements or transfer restrictions or both as determined by the administrator. Those conditions
may include, for example, a requirement that the participant
complete a specified period of service or that certain objectives be achieved. The objectives may be based on performance goals
that are stated with reference to funds from operations or funds from
operations per share, return on equity, total earnings, earnings per share, earnings growth, return on capital, fair market value
of the common stock, appreciation in value of the common stock, peer
stockholder returns or other financial or operational measures that the administrator may designate. The Stock Incentive Plan also
authorizes the grant of performance shares, i.e., the right to receive a future payment, based on the value of the common
stock, if certain conditions are met. The
administrator will select the participants who are granted performance share awards and will establish the terms of each award. The
conditions established for earning a performance share award may
include, for example, a requirement that the participant complete a specified period of service or that certain objectives be
achieved. The objectives may be based on performance goals that are stated
with reference to funds from operations or funds from operations per share, return on equity, total earnings, earnings per share,
earnings growth, return on capital, fair market value of the common
stock, appreciation in value of the common stock, peer stockholder returns or other financial or operational measures that the
administrator may designate. To the extent that a performance award is
earned, it may be settled in cash, by the issuance of common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The administrator also will select
the participants who receive stock appreciation rights under the Stock Incentive Plan. A stock appreciation right entitles the
participant to receive a payment of
up to the amount by which the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise exceeds the fair market value of
a share of common stock on the date the stock appreciation
right was granted. A stock appreciation right will be exercisable at such times and subject to such conditions as may be
established by the administrator. The amount payable upon the exercise of a
stock appreciation right may be settled in cash, by the issuance of common stock or a combination of cash and common
stock. The Stock Incentive Plan provides
that outstanding awards will be exercisable, vested or earned upon a change in control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan). The
Stock Incentive Plan also
provides that the benefits or amounts payable under awards will be reduced to avoid the parachute payment excise tax unless the
participant will receive greater after-tax benefits by receiving all of
his awards and paying the excise tax. The preceding limitation will not apply, however, if the award agreement or other agreement
provides that we will indemnify the participant from any excise tax
liability. No awards may be granted under the
Stock Incentive Plan after December 16, 2014. The Board may amend or terminate the Stock Incentive Plan at any time, but an amendment
will not
become effective without the approval of our stockholders if it increases the number of shares of common 106
stock that may be issued under the stock incentive plan (other than changes to
reflect certain corporate transactions and changes in capitalization as described above). No amendment or termination
of the Stock Incentive Plan will affect a participants rights under outstanding awards without the participants
consent. Vote Required and Board
Recommendation For the proposal to increase the
number of shares available for issuance under the Stock Incentive Plan, you may vote in favor of the proposal, against the proposal
or abstain from voting. If a
quorum is present, ratification of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on such matter
(provided that the total votes cast on the proposal represent a majority of
the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the proposal). The Board unanimously recommends
that stockholders vote FOR approval of the increase in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the
Stock Incentive Plan. CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In 2006, we entered into three
transactions that exceeded $120,000 in amount and in which our related personsin general, our directors, officers and their
immediate family membershad or would
have a direct or indirect material interest. Those transactions are summarized below. Each of the related person
transactions was with DCM, which manages our investment portfolio and other operations, pursuant to our management agreement with
DCM. Three of our
directorsNelson Peltz, Gregory Sachs and Jonathan Trutterhave various relationships with DCM, as summarized below,
which could cause them to have an indirect material interest in our transactions
with DCM. Because these relationships existed at the time we entered into the management agreement with DCM (December 2004), the
agreement was negotiated between related persons, and its
terms, including fees payable to DCM, may not be as favorable to us as if they had had been negotiated with an unaffiliated third
party. Relationships Between DCM
and Directors Peltz, Sachs and Trutter
Nelson Peltz, a director and also the chairman of the Board from December 2004 until April 2007, is also a director and the
chairman and chief executive officer of Triarc, which owns a
controlling interest in Deerfield, and is also a director of Deerfield and DCM. Gregory H. Sachs, a director, is also a director
and the chairman and chief executive officer of Deerfield and DCM, and a director of Triarc. Jonathan W. Trutter, a director and our chief
executive officer, is also the chief investment officer and a senior managing director of DCM. Robert C. Grien, our president, is also a senior
managing director of DCM. Richard Smith, our chief financial officer, is
also senior vice president of finance of DCM. Frederick L. White, our senior vice president,
general counsel and corporate secretary, is also a managing director and the general counsel of DCM, and the general counsel and
assistant
secretary of Deerfield. In addition, the following of our
directors and executive officers are beneficial owners of membership interests in Deerfield as described below:
Mr. Peltz is also a director, the chairman and chief executive officer and the beneficial owner of approximately 34% of the
total voting power of Triarc (the holder of approximately 64% of the
outstanding capital interests, at least 52% of the profits interests and approximately 94% of the voting interests in
Deerfield) and also the holder of approximately 5.1% of the profits interests
in Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC (the subsidiary of Triarc that is the direct holder of Triarcs interest in
Deerfield). Mr. Sachs is the beneficial owner of
approximately 26% of the outstanding capital interests and 25% of the profits interests in Deerfield. 107
Mr. Trutter is the beneficial owner of
approximately 2.6% of the profits interests in Deerfield. Mr. White is the beneficial owner of 0.10% of
the profits interests in Deerfield. In addition, Mr. Grien holds [ ] shares of DFR restricted stock that will become vested and
transferable if Mr. Sachs ceases to serve on the board of directors of DCM. Related Person Transactions in
2006 Our related person transactions for
2006 were as follows:
For 2006, DCM earned, pursuant to our management agreement with it, management fees of $13,290,881.89, incentive fees of
$3,335,203.64 and expense reimbursements of $634,250.49. In September 2006, our independent directors
approved an investment by us of up to $70,000,000 in the equity securities of a collateralized debt obligation vehicle, or CDO, that
would be
managed by DCM and invest primarily in debt securities secured by commercial real estate. Mr. Peltz, Mr. Sachs and Mr. Trutter
had a possible indirect material interest in this investment,
because it would benefit DCM by enabling it to launch the CDO, from which it would derive investment management fee income
(from investors in the CDO other than us) likely to exceed
the $120,000 threshold noted above. As of May 14, 2007, the investment had not been made. Our Audit Committee approved our hiring of DCM
as our internal audit service provider (or internal auditor). DCMs main function as our internal auditor is to evaluate and
report to the
Committee on the adequacy of our internal controls for financial reporting. For 2006, DCM earned $125,357.60 in fees for its
internal auditor services and $3,556.23 in related expense
reimbursements. Our Management Agreement with
DCM The agreement expires on December
31, 2007. It may be renewed for additional one-year periods. Under the agreement, we pay DCM a
monthly base management fee of 1/12 of our equity times 1.75% and quarterly incentive compensation equal to the product of: (a) 25%
of the dollar
amount by which (i) our net income before non-cash equity compensation expense and incentive compensation, for the quarter per
common share exceeds (ii) an amount equal to (A) the weighted
average of the price per share of the common stock in our December 2004 private offering and our June 2005 initial public offering,
and the prices per common share in any subsequent offerings by
us, in each case at the time of issuance thereof, multiplied by (B) the greater of (1) 2.00% and (2) 0.50% plus one-fourth of the
10-year Treasury Rate for such quarter, multiplied by (b) the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the quarter. This calculation is adjusted to exclude one-time events
pursuant to changes in GAAP, as well as non-cash charges after
discussion between DCM and our independent directors and approval by a majority of our independent directors in the case of
non-cash charges. Fifteen percent of any such quarterly incentive
compensation is to be paid in the form of our shares, based on a value per share determined by taking the average of the closing
prices of the stock on the NYSE during the 30 days preceding the
third day before the date on which the incentive compensation shares are issued. See Proposal 1Deerfield, DCM and the
Management Agreement. Our Controls for Approving Related
Person Transactions Our policies and procedures for
determining whether to approve transactions with our related persons consist of various conflict of interest provisions in our
management agreement with DCM,
our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or Code, and our establishment of the Standing Committee of Independent Directors, or
Standing Committee. The management agreement requires
DCM to obtain the advance approval of a majority of our independent directors before causing us to invest in any joint venture with,
or buying an asset
from or selling an asset to, DCM or any DCM affiliate, or waiving the enforcement of a provision in a 108
contract with another client managed by DCM. The Standing Committee was
established as the vehicle for our independent directors to determine whether to approve such transactions, and any
other actions by DCM that may create an actual or potential conflict between its interests and ours. The Standing Committee
consists solely of our independent directors. We expect to dissolve the
Standing Committee following the completion of the Merger. The Code generally prohibits our
officers and directors from taking actions that may conflict with their duties to us as officers or directors. 109
The following summary
description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Maryland General Corporate Law and our
charter and bylaws, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to our registration statement. See How to Obtain More
Information. Our charter provides that we may
issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, both having par value $0.001 per share. As
of May 14, 2007,
51,732,066 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. Our
Board with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and
without any action on the part of our stockholders, may amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate
number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any
class or series that we have authority to issue. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our
debts and obligations solely as a result of their status as stockholders. All shares of our common stock have
equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our Board and declared by us out of
funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have
no preemptive, appraisal, preferential exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their
transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws, by contract or
by the restrictions in our charter. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock
would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally
available for distribution after payment of or adequate provision for all of our known debts and other liabilities and subject to
any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any
preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to our charter restrictions on the transfer and ownership of our stock and
except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series
of common stock, each share of our common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders,
including the election of directors. Except as provided with
respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no
cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock can elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such
shares will be unable to elect any director. Power to Reclassify Shares of Our
Stock Our charter authorizes our Board to
classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to
issuance of shares of each class or
series, the Board is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on the transfer and
ownership of our stock, the terms, preferences, conversion or other
rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of
redemption for each class or series. Thus, the Board could authorize the
issuance of shares of common or preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a
premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests. No shares of our preferred stock are
presently outstanding and we have no present plans to issue any preferred
stock. 110
Power to Issue Additional Shares
of Common Stock and Preferred Stock We believe that the power of our
Board to amend the charter without stockholder approval to increase the total number of authorized shares of our stock or any class
or series of our stock, to
issue additional authorized but unissued shares of our common stock or preferred stock and to classify or reclassify unissued
shares of our common stock or preferred stock and thereafter to cause us
to issue such classified or reclassified shares of stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future
financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise.
The additional classes or series, as well as our common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our
stockholders, unless stockholder action is required by applicable law or the
rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded. Although our Board has
no intention at the present time of doing so, it could authorize us
to issue a class or series that could, depending upon the terms of such class or series, delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a
change in control of us that might involve a premium price for holders
of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests. Restrictions on Ownership
and Transfer In order to qualify as a REIT under
the Code, our shares of capital stock must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of
12 months or during a
proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares of capital stock may be
owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals (as
defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the second half of any calendar year. Our charter, subject to certain
exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may own and may prohibit certain
entities from owning our shares. Our
charter and certain Board resolutions provide that (subject to certain exceptions described below) no person may own, or be deemed
to own by virtue of the attribution provisions of the Code, more
than 7.7% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of any class or series of our capital stock. Our charter
also prohibits any person from (a) beneficially or constructively
owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or
otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT and (b) transferring shares of our
capital stock if such transfer would result in our capital stock being owned by fewer than 100 persons. Any person who acquires or
attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership
of shares of our capital stock that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership, or who
is the intended transferee of shares of our stock which are transferred
to the trust (as described below), will be required to give notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as
we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on
our status as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our Board determines that it is
no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue
to qualify, as a REIT. Our Board, in its sole discretion,
may exempt a person from the foregoing restrictions. The person seeking an exemption must provide to our Board such representations,
covenants and
undertakings as our Board may deem appropriate in order to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our
status as a REIT. Our Board may also require a ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel in order to determine or ensure our status as a REIT. From time to time, our
Board has exempted stockholders from the ownership restrictions.
For example, our Board has also exempted from the ownership limit Robert C. Dart and two entities, Copper Mountain Investments
Limited and Rushmore Investments Limited, controlled by Mr.
Dart. The exemptions provide that Copper Mountain Investments Limited and Rushmore Investments Limited may each own up to 9.25% in
value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive,
of our outstanding shares of common stock and that Robert C. Dart, through his direct and indirect ownership of those entities, may
own up to 18.50% in value or number of shares, whichever is
more restrictive, of our outstanding shares of common stock. Additionally, in connection with the Merger, our Board will exempt
certain members of Deerfield and their 111
affiliates, and transferees from these ownership limitations. In connection
with granting those exemptions, our Board obtained or will obtain representations from each stockholder seeking the
exemption regarding its ownership and obtained or will obtain opinions of counsel that granting the exemptions would not prevent us
from qualifying as a REIT. Any attempted transfer of our stock
which, if effective, would result in a violation of the foregoing restrictions will cause the number of shares causing the violation
(rounded to the nearest whole
share) to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries, and the
proposed transferee will not acquire any rights in such shares. The automatic
transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day (as defined in our charter) prior to the
date of the transfer. If, for any reason, the transfer to the trust does not
occur, our charter provides that the purported transfer in violation of the restrictions will be void ab initio. Shares of
our stock held in the trust will be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed
transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares of stock held in the trust, will have no rights to dividends
and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares of stock
held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect
to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the
exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of
stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the
trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or
distribution paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the
charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, the trustee will have the authority (a) to rescind as void any vote cast by the
proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been
transferred to the trust and (b) to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the
charitable beneficiary. However, if we have already taken irreversible
corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote. Within 20 days of receiving notice
from us that shares of our stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person designated by the
trustee, whose ownership of
the shares will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon such sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the
shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of
the sale to the proposed transferee and to the charitable beneficiary as follows. The proposed transferee will receive the lesser
of (a) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the
proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust
(e.g., a gift, devise or other similar transaction), the market price (as
defined in our charter) of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (b) the price received
by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any
net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid immediately to the charitable
beneficiary. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our stock have been
transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then (a) the shares shall be deemed to have been sold on
behalf of the trust and (b) to the extent that the proposed transferee
received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess shall be paid
to the trustee upon demand. In addition, shares of our stock
held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of
(a) the price per share in the
transaction that resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the
devise or gift) and (b) the market price on the date we, or our designee,
accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest
of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the
trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee. All certificates representing
shares of our capital stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above. Every owner of more than 5% (or
such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of all classes or series of our stock,
including shares of common
stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, will be required to give written notice to us 112
stating the name and address of such owner, the number of shares of each class
and series of shares of our stock which the owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the
shares are held. Each owner shall provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if
any, of the beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to
ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each such owner shall upon demand be required to provide to us such
information as we may request, in good faith, in order to
determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to
determine such compliance. These ownership limitations could
delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for the common stock or might
otherwise be in the best
interests of our stockholders. The transfer agent and registrar
for our shares of common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2006, as amended, is enclosed with this proxy statement. The legality of DFR common stock
issued in connection with the Merger and certain United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger will be passed upon for
DFR by its counsel,
Hunton & Williams LLP. STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING A stockholder who wishes to
introduce a proposal for consideration at our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders may seek to have that proposal included in our
proxy statement pursuant to SEC
Rule 14a-8. To qualify for this, the proposal must be submitted to us not later than November 30, 2007 and satisfy the other
requirements of Rule 14a-8. The submission of a stockholder proposal
does not guarantee it will be included. A stockholder may otherwise propose
business for consideration or nominate persons for election to the Board in compliance with applicable state law and our bylaws. They
require a proposal or
nomination to be in writing and delivered to our Secretary at our executive offices by personal delivery or U.S. mail not earlier
than 150 days and not later than 120 days before the first anniversary
of the date of mailing of notice by us for the preceding years annual meeting. The notice must satisfy the other requirements
with respect to such proposals and nominations contained in our bylaws.
Proposals by stockholders submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act will be considered untimely and
ineligible to come before our 2008 annual meeting if such proposal is
not received by us by ______________, 2008. If a stockholder fails to meet the deadlines in Rule 14a-8 and our bylaws or fails to
comply with SEC Rule 14a-4, we may exercise discretionary voting
authority under proxies we solicit to vote on any such proposal. 113
Stockholders wishing to communicate
with our Board should send any communication to: Secretary, Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont,
IL 60018. Any such
communication must state the number of shares beneficially owned by the stockholder making the communication. The Secretary will
forward the communication to the full Board, a committee of the
Board, or to any individual director or directors, as appropriate. If a communication is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or
similarly inappropriate, the Secretary is authorized to discard the
communication or take appropriate legal action regarding the communication. Our Audit Committee has established
procedures, which are posted on our website, for directors, officers and interested parties to submit concerns and complaints
regarding our company, either
openly, confidentially or anonymously. Interested parties may use these procedures, which include a toll-free telephone number, to
communicate with our non-management directors. The board knows of no other
business to be brought before the Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the proxies will be voted on such
matters in accordance with the
judgment of the persons named as proxies therein, or their substitutes, present and acting at the Meeting. The expenses of preparing, printing
and assembling the materials used in the solicitation of proxies will be borne by us. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by
use of the mails, we may use
the services of certain officers and employees of Deerfield or its affiliates (who will receive no compensation therefor in
addition to their regular salaries) to solicit proxies personally and by mail,
telephone and facsimile from brokerage houses and other stockholders. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage firms and others
for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to
beneficial owners of our common stock. HOW TO OBTAIN MORE
INFORMATION Our Internet address is
http://www.deerfieldtriarc.com. We make available free of charge, on or through the SEC Filings section of our
website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably
practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. A copy of all documents incorporated into
this proxy statement by reference will be provided, without charge, upon
written or oral request, by first class mail and within one business day of our receipt of such request. Requests for such
documents incorporated by reference should be directed to Legal Department,
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., 6250 N. River Road, 9th Floor, Rosemont, Illinois 60018, or you may ask for our Legal Department by
calling 773-380-1600. Also posted on our website, and available
in print upon request to our Investor Relations Department, are the charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, and our Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics, which governs our directors, officers and employees. Within the time period required by the SEC and
the NYSE, we will post on our website any amendment to our
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver applicable to our senior financial officers, executive officers or directors. In
addition, information concerning purchases and sales of our equity
securities by our directors and Section 16 reporting officers is posted on our website. Information on our website is not part of
this proxy statement. Incorporation of
Information Filed with the SEC The SEC allows us to
incorporate by reference into this proxy statement documents we file with the SEC, meaning that we are disclosing
important information to you by referring you to
another document filed separately with the SEC. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The information that
we incorporate by reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement, and later information 114
that we file with the SEC will update and supersede that information. This
proxy statement incorporates by reference the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2006, as amended, as well as our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The information contained in any of these documents will be considered part of this proxy statement
from the date these documents are filed. Requests for documents should be
directed to our proxy solicitor, at . 115
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Page Consolidated Financial
Statements of Deerfield & Company LLC as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the Three Years in the Period Ended
December 31, 2006 and
Independent Auditors Report Independent Auditors
Report
F-2 Consolidated Balance
Sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005
F-3 Consolidated Statements of
Operations of Deerfield & Company LLC for the
F-4 Consolidated Statements of
Members Equity of Deerfield & Company LLC for
F-5 Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows of Deerfield & Company LLC for the
F-6 Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements
F-7 Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements of Deerfield & Company LLC as of March 31, 2007 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited) Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (unaudited)
F-22 Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations of the three months ended
F-23 Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
F-24 Notes to Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
F-25 F-1
Index to Financial Statements of Deerfield & Company LLC
three years ended December 31, 2006
the three years ended December 31, 2006
three years ended December 31, 2006
March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
REPORT To the Members of We have audited the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets of Deerfield & Company LLC and subsidiaries (the Company), a majority-owned indirect
subsidiary of Triarc Companies, Inc., as
of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, members equity, and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes consideration of
internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we
express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such consolidated
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Deerfield & Company LLC and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2006 and 2005,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Chicago, Illinois F-2
Deerfield & Company
LLC:
March 27, 2007, except for Note
12 as for which date is May 21, 2007
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
December 31,
2006
2005 ASSETS Cash (including cash
equivalents of $12,186 and $24)
$
17,944
$
12,505 Restricted cash
equivalents (Note 6)
400
400 Investment advisory fee
receivable
24,364
18,329 Investments (Note
3)
15,369
11,917 Investmentspledged
(Notes 3 and 7)
8,168
15,349 Fixed assets (Note
4)
11,664
5,221 Intangible assets (Note
4)
105
115 Deferred
costs
1,082
377 Prepaid
expenses
6,214
3,887 Other
receivables
212
141 TOTAL
ASSETS
$
85,522
$
68,241 LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS EQUITY LIABILITIES: Accrued expenses (Note
5)
$
32,681
$
25,225 Accounts payable (Note
11)
704
649 Deferred
revenue
810
2,397 Deferred rent payable
(Note 6)
4,203
3,126 Other liabilities (Note
9)
842
Notes payable (Note
7)
8,585
8,090 Total
liabilities
47,825
39,487 Commitments and
contingencies (Notes 6, 7 and 10)
MEMBERS EQUITY
(Including accumulated other comprehensive losses of $1,008 and $446, respectively) (Note 8)
37,697
28,754 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS EQUITY
$
85,522
$
68,241 See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements. F-3
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT
SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Year ended December 31,
2006
2005
2004 REVENUES: Investment advisory fees
(Notes 10 and 11)
$
88,378
$
67,842
$
53,189 Other related
fees
2,071
1,427
1,503 Total
revenues
90,449
69,269
54,692 EXPENSES: Compensation and benefits
(Notes 8, 9 and 11)
54,639
42,270
53,455 General and administrative
(Note 11)
7,467
6,893
7,138 Depreciation and
amortization (Note 4)
1,509
385
575 Total
expenses
63,615
49,548
61,168 Operating profit
(loss)
26,834
19,721
(6,476
) Investment income, net
(Note 3)
2,576
2,957
2,878 Interest expense (Note
7)
(680
)
(532
)
(549
) Other expense,
net
(1,123
)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES
27,607
22,146
(4,147
) Provision for income taxes
(Note 2)
170
129
45 NET INCOME
(LOSS)
$
27,437
$
22,017
$
(4,192
) See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements. F-4
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT
SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Members Equity
Total
Comprehensive
Class A
Class B
Class C BALANCEJanuary 1,
2004
$
10,396
$
1,567
$
$
11,963 Net income
(loss)
16,614
(20,924
)
118
(4,192
)
$
(4,192
) Change in unrealized losses
on available-for-sale investments (Note 8)
144
28
13
185
185 Total comprehensive
loss
$
(4,007
) Transfer of
interests
(334
)
334
Amortization of unearned
compensation (Note 8)
181
35
8
224 Equity-based compensation
expense (Note 8)
24,253
24,253 Distributions
(15,907
)
(3,119
)
(19,026
) BALANCEDecember 31,
2004
11,094
2,174
139
13,407 Net income
17,837
3,497
683
22,017
$
22,017 Change in unrealized losses
on available-for-sale investments (Note 8)
13
3
1
17
17 Total comprehensive
income
$
22,034 Amortization of unearned
compensation (Note 8)
498
98
21
617 Distributions
(5,958
)
(1,168
)
(178
)
(7,304
) BALANCEDecember 31,
2005
23,484
4,604
666
28,754 Net income
22,336
4,252
849
27,437
$
27,437 Change in unrealized losses
on available-for-sale investments (Note 8)
(448
)
(87
)
(18
)
(553
)
(553
) Net change in foreign
currency translation
(8
)
(1
)
(9
)
(9
) Total comprehensive
income
$
26,875 Amortization of unearned
compensation (Note 8)
498
98
21
617 Distributions
(15,059
)
(2,888
)
(602
)
(18,549
) BALANCEDecember 31,
2006
$
30,803
$
5,978
$
916
$
37,697 See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements. F-5
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT
SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS EQUITY
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Income (Loss)
(All Classes)
(All Classes)
Profits Only
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Year ended December 31,
2006
2005
2004 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES: Net income
(loss)
$
27,437
$
22,017
$
(4,192
) Adjustments to reconcile net
income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Noncash
compensation
1,141
617
24,677 Depreciation and
amortization, excluding amortization of deferred costs
1,509
385
575 Amortization of deferred
costs
156
215
301 Dividends on CDO
investments, net of accretion
747
743
209 Other than temporary
impairment on available for sale securities
1,497
327
262 Realized gain on
available-for-sale investment
(738
)
(3
)
Net unrealized loss on
derivative assets and liabilities
58
18
Net realized gain on
trading securities
(43
)
Net purchases and sales
of trading securities
(226
)
Recognition of deferred
revenue
(2,406
)
(3,838
)
(93
) Straight-line lease
accrual
955
239
Changes in operating
assets and liabilities: Increase in investment
advisory fee receivable
(6,734
)
(4,250
)
(5,219
) Increase in other
receivables and prepaid expenses
(2,277
)
(3,510
)
(462
) Increase in accrued
expenses and accounts payable
6,966
8,954
8,505 Net cash provided by
operating activities
28,042
21,914
24,563 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES: Purchases of
investments
(1,437
)
(4,015
) Proceeds from redemption
of investment
94
Purchases of fixed
assets
(7,869
)
(2,002
)
(227
) Purchases of intangible
assets
(71
)
(107
)
(31
) Proceeds from sale of CDO
investment
5,077
Notes receivable
proceeds
5,000
Net cash provided by
(used in) investing activities
(2,863
)
1,548
(4,273
) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from issuance of
notes payable
4,000
1,425
3,952 Repayment of notes
payable
(5,182
)
(10,704
)
(5,528
) Distributions to
members
(18,549
)
(7,304
)
(19,026
) Net cash used in
financing activities
(19,731
)
(16,583
)
(20,602
) Effect of exchange rates
on cash and cash equivalents
(9
)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
5,439
6,879
(312
) CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTSBeginning of year
12,505
5,626
5,938 CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTSEnd of year
$
17,944
$
12,505
$
5,626 SUPPLEMENTAL
INFORMATION: Cash paid for
interest
$
652
$
379
$
267 Net cash paid (received)
for taxes
$
193
$
(8
)
$
188 Supplemental non-cash
investing activities: Receipt of investment
securities for incentive fees earned
$
699
$
$
Receipt of investment
securities for future services
$
$
$
6,320 Purchases of fixed assets
paid for through landlord lease incentives
$
122
$
2,888
$
Purchases of investments
through seller financings
$
1,676
$
1,900
$
See accompanying notes to
consolidated financial statements. F-6
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT
SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC 1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF
BUSINESS Deerfield & Company LLC
(Deerfield), an Illinois limited liability company, was organized on February 24, 1997, and commenced operations on March
1, 1997. Deerfield commenced operations
under an original predecessor company, Springfield International Investments (Chicago), Inc., on July 20, 1993. The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Deerfield and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). The Companys wholly-owned
subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 were Deerfield Capital Management LLC (DCM), Deerfield Capital Management (Europe)
Limited (DCM Europe), and
Rosemont Trading Company LLC (Rosemont). DCM serves as the trading advisor for four fixed income investment funds and
six private investment accounts (hereafter referred to collectively as
the Funds). DCM also manages the assets of a real estate investment trust (the REIT) and is a collateral
manager for 25 collateralized debt obligations (CDO), collateralized loan obligations
(CLO), collateralized bond obligations (CBO), and a structured loan fund (hereafter referred to
collectively as the CDOs). DCM earns management and incentive fees for the services provided
to the Funds, the REIT, and the CDOs (collectively, investment vehicles). As of December 31, 2006, DCM has
approximately $13.2 billion in assets under management. DCM Europe commenced
operations on July 3, 2006 and serves solely as a marketing and investment advisor for DCMs prospective and existing European
based CLOs for which DCM expects to serve or serves as a
collateral manager. Rosemont is an investment vehicle used by Deerfield to explore a potential new investment strategy for a hedge
fund. The Companys management directs Deerfields operations
as one business or segment, which is asset management. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Use of
EstimatesThe preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of
significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Basis of
PresentationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Deerfield and its subsidiaries, as discussed
in Note 1. All intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified with conform to the current
presentation. Foreign Currency
TranslationFinancial statements of a foreign subsidiary are prepared in its local currency and translated into United
States dollars at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet
date for assets and liabilities and at a monthly average rate for revenues and expenses. Net gains or losses resulting from the
translation of foreign financial statements are charged or credited to
currency translation adjustment, a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within the consolidated
statements of members equity. Cash and Cash
EquivalentsCash and cash equivalents is comprised of cash held in demand deposit, checking, commercial paper, broker
account, and money market accounts. The Company
considers all liquid investments with maturities of three months or less, when acquired, to be cash equivalents. F-7
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Restricted Cash EquivalentsThe
Company holds a commercial paper investment with a 47-day remaining maturity that is pledged as collateral required by a standby
letter of credit relating to a
lease agreement. See Note 6 for further details. Fixed
AssetsFixed assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Office equipment, including computer equipment,
is depreciated over five years using the straight-line method. Office
furniture and fixtures are depreciated over seven years using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over
the shorter of their estimated useful lives or remaining life of the
lease using the straight-line method. The Company does not consider renewal options for the determination of the amortization of
leasehold improvements unless renewal is considered reasonably
assured at the inception of the lease. Intangible
AssetsPurchased software is amortized over three years using the straight-line method. Deferred
CostsCertain costs associated with the acquisition of a CDO management contract and note payable financing of CDO
preferred share acquisitions are recorded as deferred costs in the
consolidated balance sheets. Deferred acquisition costs are amortized as a reduction to management fees on a straight-line basis
over the expected life of the related contract. Deferred financing costs
are amortized to interest expense over the expected term of the note using the effective interest rate method. The Company granted restricted
stock of the REIT to certain employees. The Company recorded a deferred cost for the stock grant based on the fair value of the stock
on grant date. The
deferred cost is amortized into compensation expense over the vesting period. See Note 9 for further details. The Companys majority owner
has been considering a corporate restructuring. The Company incurred costs of approximately $542 during 2006 related to a particular
business alternative that is
still being pursued. If the particular business alternative is determined to be no longer viable, the deferred costs will be
expensed. InvestmentsInvestments in limited partnerships are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Dividends
received in excess of cumulative earnings of the investee are recorded as a
reduction to the cost basis of the investment. The portion of dividends received representing a distribution of accumulated
earnings of the investee is recognized as dividend income. Investments in preferred shares of
CDOs are recorded at fair value and classified as available-for-sale investments. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale
investments are recorded as a
separate component of members equity. All available-for-sale investments are evaluated for other than temporary impairment.
Other than temporary impairment is a decline in the fair value
attributable to factors that suggest the decline in the investments value will not be recovered over its remaining life.
Other than temporary impairments are recognized in the consolidated statements
of operations as a component of net investment income. The unrestricted and restricted
REIT stock and stock options are recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the restricted stock are recorded as described
below within the Deferred
revenue discussion. Changes in the fair value of unrestricted stock are recorded as a separate component of other
comprehensive income. Deferred
RevenueIn December 2004, the Company received a grant of restricted stock and stock options in the REIT for which it is
providing asset management services. The stock and options
were granted as compensation for asset management services to be performed. The stock and options are accounted for in accordance
with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 00-8,
Accounting by a Grantee for an Equity Instrument to Be Received in Conjunction with Providing Goods or Services, which requires
that the stock and options be carried at fair value and the
associated management fee income be recognized over the vesting period (adjusted for changes in the fair value of the stock and
options). The stock and options have a three-year tiered vesting
period. At December 31, 2006, the fair value of the unvested stock and options was $2,279 and $214, respectively, and the deferred
management fee associated with the unamortized portion of the
stock and option grant was $810. At December 31, 2005, the fair value of the unvested stock and options was $3,688 and $494,
respectively, and the deferred management fee associated with the
unamortized F-8
portion of the stock and option grant was $2,397. For the years ended December
31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, $2,406, $3,838 and $93 was amortized and included in investment advisory fees in the
consolidated statements of operations, respectively. As of December 23, 2006, one third of the originally issued restricted stock
and stock options vested at a fair value of $2,270 and $239,
respectively. As of December 23, 2005, one third of the originally issued restricted stock and stock options vested at a fair value
of $1,882 and $265, respectively. The vested stock is classified as
available-for-sale with changes in fair value reflected as a separate component of members equity. The vested options,
accounted for under Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, are carried at fair value with changes in fair value
reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Income
RecognitionInvestment advisory fees, which include various forms of management and incentive fees, are received from
the investment vehicles managed by the Company. These fees,
paid periodically in accordance with the individual management agreements between the Company and the individual investment
vehicles, are generally based upon the net asset values of the Funds,
adjusted equity of the REIT, and aggregate collateral amount of the CDOs as defined in the individual management agreements.
Management fees are recognized as revenue when earned. In
accordance with EITF Topic D-96, Accounting for Management Fees Based on a Formula, the Company does not recognize these fees as
revenue until all contingencies have been removed, including
the generation of sufficient cash flows by the CDOs to pay the fees under the terms of the related management agreements. Other
contingencies may include the achievement of minimum CDO and
Fund performance requirements specified under certain agreements with certain investors or guarantee providers. In connection with
these agreements, the Company has subordinated receipt of
certain of its management fees (see Note 10). Incentive fees may be earned from
the investment vehicles managed by the Company. These fees are paid periodically in accordance with the individual management
agreements between the
Company and the individual investment vehicles and are based upon the performance of the underlying investment vehicles. Incentive
fees are recognized as revenue when the amounts are fixed and
determinable upon the close of a performance period for the Funds and the REIT and the achievement of performance targets for the
CDOs and any related agreements with certain investors or
guarantee providers. Other related fees primarily
include structuring fees earned by the Company for services provided to CDOs or placement agents for the CDOs. These fees are
recognized as revenue upon the
rendering of such services and the closing of the respective CDO. Interest income on the
Companys investments in preferred shares of CDOs, included in investment income, net in the consolidated statement of
operations, is accreted over the respective
estimated lives of the CDOs using the effective yield method in accordance with EITF Issue No. 99-20, Recognition of Interest
Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and
Beneficial Interests That Continue To Be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets. The cost recovery method is utilized
for preferred shares of CDOs for which cash flows can not be
reliably estimated. Fair Value of Financial
InstrumentsSFAS No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the fair value
of financial instruments for which it is practicable
to estimate that value. The fair value of the Companys investments is disclosed in Note 3. The fair value of cash and cash
equivalents, restricted cash equivalents, investment advisory fee receivable,
other receivables, accrued expenses and accounts payable approximates carrying value as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 due to the
short term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the notes
payable approximates carrying value due to the frequent reset on a monthly or quarterly basis of their floating interest
rates. Variable Interest
EntitiesThe Company has a variable interest in each of the CDOs it manages due to the provisions of the various
management agreements. In addition, the Company may from
time to time hold equity interests in the CDOs it manages. Both the management agreements and the equity interest result in the
Company holding variable interests in the CDOs. Pursuant to the
provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (FIN) F-9
No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (FIN
46(R)), at the inception of the management agreement and the purchase of the equity interests, if applicable, an analysis is
performed to
determine whether the Company has a majority of expected losses or gains for purposes of determining whether the Company is the
primary beneficiary of the CDO. If the Company is determined
to be the primary beneficiary, the variable interest entity would be consolidated. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company
did not consolidate any variable interest entities. See Note 10 for
further information regarding the Companys variable interest entities. Income TaxesThe
Companys provision for income taxes consists of Illinois State replacement tax, New York City Unincorporated Business Tax and
income taxes in the United Kingdom related
to DCM Europe. Federal income taxes are not provided for as the taxable income (loss) of the Company is included in the Federal
income tax returns of its members. Pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 301.7701, the subsidiaries of Deerfield have elected to be disregarded as separate entities for Federal income
tax purposes and are, therefore, treated as branches in Deerfields
Federal income tax return. DCM Europe is subject to taxation
by the Inland Revenue Service of the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the provision expense related to DCM Europes activities of $7
is recorded in provision
for taxes in the Companys consolidated statements of operations. Recent Accounting
PronouncementsIn February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 155,
Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments,
(SFAS 155). SFAS 155 amends FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,
(SFAS 133), and FASB Statement 140, Accounting for Transfers and
Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. SFAS 155 resolves issues addressed in SFAS 133 Implementation
Issue No. D1, Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in
Securities Financial Assets. SFAS 155 is effective January 1, 2007 although early adoption is permitted. Although the Company holds
preferred shares of several CDOs, which represent beneficial
interest in securities that the Company classifies as available-for-sale investments, the Company does not believe that any of
these interests represent freestanding or embedded derivatives that would
be required to be accounted for as derivatives under the provisions of SFAS 155. Accordingly, the Company currently does not
believe that the adoption of SFAS 155 will have any effect on its
consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. In September 2006, the FASB issued
Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 addresses issues relating to the definition of fair
value, the methods used to measure
fair value and expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. The
definition of fair value in SFAS 157 focuses on the price that
would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, not the price that would be paid to acquire an asset or
received to assume a liability. The methods used to measure fair value should
be based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. SFAS 157 expands disclosures
about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim
and annual periods subsequent to adoption. SFAS 157 requires a company to use the most representative fair value within the bid-ask
spread if the fair value of an asset is based on bid and ask
prices. The Company will have expanded fair value disclosure requirements related to its investment portfolio upon adoption of SFAS
157. However, the impact on the Companys consolidated results
of operations, cash flows or financial condition is not expected to be material. SFAS 157 is, with some limited exceptions, to be
applied prospectively and is effective as of January 1, 2008 although
earlier adoption in 2007 is permitted. In June 2006, the FASB issued
Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48), an Interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a companys financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement
of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective January 1, 2007. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of adopting FIN 48, however, the Company does
not expect the implementation of FIN 48 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of
operations. F-10
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure financial
instruments
and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
the Company as of January 1, 2008. The Company is currently
evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard. 3. INVESTMENTS As a condition to obtaining the
management contract with certain CDOs, the Company was required to make an initial investment in certain of the CDOs it manages. The
Company has one
Euro denominated investment in a CLO. The investment is converted into United States dollars at the year-end exchange rate.
Additionally, a portion of the management fees earned from the REIT
was paid in restricted stock and stock options and 15% of the incentive fee earned is payable in REIT stock. The Companys
investment portfolio consists of these required investments, and
management considers the investment income earned on these investments to be part of the Companys core business due to the
commitments made to the Companys investors and the terms of the
management agreements. The following is a summary of the Companys investments at December 31, 2006 and 2005:
Cost
Unrealized Holding
Fair value
Carrying
Gains
Losses December 31,
2006: Available-for-sale: Preferred shares of
CDOs
$
16,494
$
33
$
(1,624
)
$
14,903
$
14,903 Vested common stock in the
REIT (1)
4,850
592
5,442
5,442
$
625
$
(1,624
) Trading: Common stock (2)
271
272
272 Derivatives: Vested stock options in the
REIT (1)
504
427
427 Other: Unvested stock in the REIT
(1)
2,279
2,279
2,279 Unvested stock options of
the REIT(1)
214
214
214 Total
$
24,612
$
23,537
$
23,537
Cost
Unrealized Holding
Fair value
Carrying
Gains
Losses December 31,
2005: Available-for-sale: Preferred shares of
CDOs
$
21,401
$
434
$
(842
)
$
20,993
$
20,993 Vested common stock in the
REIT (1)
1,882
(38
)
1,844
1,844
$
434
$
(880
) Derivatives: Vested stock options in the
REIT (1)
265
247
247 Other: Unvested stock in the REIT
(1)
3,688
3,688
3,688 Unvested stock options of
the REIT (1)
494
494
494 Total
$
27,730
$
27,266
$
27,266
(1)
See Note 2 for further discussion. (2) Unrealized net gain recognized in earnings for
common stock held as of December 31, 2006 was approximately $1. F-11
Amount
Amount
The carrying amount of investments in CDOs by
contractual maturity at December 31, 2006, is as follows: Maturity
date
Carrying amount Within 1
year
$
1-5 years
6,337 5-10 years
After 10
years
8,566 Total
$
14,903 The CDOs are subject to early
redemption in certain circumstances that vary by CDO. The following table sets forth the
fair value and gross unrealized losses of the Companys available-for-sale investments that were in an unrealized loss position
aggregated by length of time that
such individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2006:
Less than 12 Months
Greater than 12 Months
Total
Fair
Gross
Fair
Gross
Fair
Gross Preferred shares of
CDOs
$
5,585
$
(661
)
$
7,712
$
(963
)
$
13,297
$
(1,624
) The Company does not believe that
any of the gross unrealized losses set forth in the table above represent other than temporary losses because there has not been an
adverse change in
estimated future cash flows and the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to
recover the amortized cost of these investments. The Company
believes the impairment of these investments is due to varying market perceptions related to the risks surrounding the general
asset classes underlying the investments. During 2006, 2005 and 2004,
the Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $1,497, $327 and $262, respectively, on its available-for-sale
investments, which are included in investment income, net in the
consolidated statements of operations. 4. FIXED ASSETS AND INTANGIBLE
ASSETS The Companys fixed assets and
intangible assets at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are summarized as follows:
2006
2005 Fixed
assets: Computer and general
office equipment
$
1,999
$
1,334 Leasehold
improvements
8,397
813 Office furniture and
fixtures
2,468
899 Construction in progress
(1)
3,531
12,864
6,577 Less: Accumulated
depreciation and amortization
(1,200
)
(1,356
) Total
$
11,664
$
5,221
(1)
Construction in progress related to leasehold improvements for the Companys new Corporate Headquarters (Note 6).
2006
2005 Intangible
assets: Software
$
180
$
206 Less: Accumulated
amortization
(75
)
(91
) Total
$
105
$
115 F-12
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Value
Unrealized
Losses
(7 securities)
Total amortization expense relating to intangible
assets for 2006 and 2005 was $54 and $43, respectively. Future estimated amortization expense relating to the Companys
intangible assets as of
December 31, 2006 is as follows: 2007
$
56 2008
43 2009
6 2010
Total
$
105 5. ACCRUED EXPENSES The following is a summary of the
components of accrued expenses at December 31, 2006 and 2005:
2006
2005 Accrued compensation and
related benefits
$
30,775
$
24,147 Accrued professional
fees
1,661
254 Accrued
taxes
167
419 Accrued
interest
61
86 Other
17
319 Total
$
32,681
$
25,225 6. LEASES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS The Company has a sublease
agreement (the Agreement) to lease office facilities through May 30, 2007. In conjunction with the Agreement, a standby
letter of credit with an available balance
of $400 at December 31, 2006 and 2005 had been issued by a financial institution to the sublessor to secure payments due under the
Agreement. The Company had pledged collateral of $400 in
support of this letter of credit, which is classified as restricted cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets. In July 2005, the Company entered
into a fifteen-year lease expiring February 28, 2021, with a commencement date of March 1, 2006, for office space that serves as the
Companys corporate
headquarters. In conjunction with this lease, there is a standby letter of credit with an available balance of $3 million. The
letter of credit terminates in April 2007 and automatically renews for the
duration of the lease at the discretion of the issuing bank. Periodically, beginning March 2008, the available balance is
reduced. Total rental expense for 2006,
2005, and 2004 was $1,617, $1,171, and $558, respectively. Rental expense for 2006 and 2005 includes $955 and $239, respectively, of
non-cash expense related to the
straight-line rent accrual on the July 2005 lease. Certain of these leases also
provide for payment of certain executory costs, which are not included in the minimum rentals set forth below. Future minimum lease
commitments on the Companys
operating leases having an initial lease term in excess of one year as of December 31, 2006 are as follows: 2007
$
750 2008
1,090 2009
1,147 2010
1,188 2011
1,222 Thereafter
12,537 Total
$
17,934 F-13
7. NOTES PAYABLE The following is a summary of the
Companys outstanding notes payable to financial institutions related to the Companys investments in certain CDOs it
manages at December 31:
Balance
Rate
Terms
2006
2005
$
2,981
$
4,501
LIBOR + 100 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $5,680 and $6,160 as of December 31, 2006 and
2005,
respectively. No stated maturity; principal and interest payments equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share
distributions of
such CDO are required until paid in full.
250
773
LIBOR + 40 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $800 and $950 as of December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. No stated maturity; principal and interest payments equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share
distributions of
such CDO are required until paid in full.
628
LIBOR + 40 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $950 as of December 31, 2006. No stated
maturity; principal
and interest payments equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required until
paid in full.
726
EURIBOR + 100bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $726 as of December 31, 2006. Maturity date is
May 30,
2009. Principal and interest payments equal to 100% of all preferred share distributions and 50% of all management fees on or
after October
2007 of such CDO are required until paid in full. The preferred shares and the outstanding notes are Euro denominated. They
have been
converted at the year-end exchange rate.
331
LIBOR + 100 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $2,924 as of December 31, 2005. No stated
maturity;
principal and interest payments equal to 65% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required
until paid in
full. During 2006, the note was repaid in full. F-14
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
Balance
Rate
Terms
2006
2005
742
LIBOR + 75 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $3,053 as of December 31, 2005. No stated
maturity;
principal and interest payments equal to 70% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required
until paid in
full. During 2006, the note was repaid in full.
793
LIBOR + 33 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $1,312 as of December 31, 2005. No stated
maturity;
principal and interest payments equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are
required until paid
in full. During 2006, the note was repaid in full.
950
LIBOR + 40 bp;
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $950 as of December 31, 2005. No stated
maturity; principal
and interest payments equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required until
paid in full.
During 2006, the note was repaid in full.
$
4,585
$
8,090 Revolving Note
PayableDuring 2006, the Company entered into a $10 million revolving note (Revolving Note) with a three
year term maturing in February 2009. In April 2006, the Company
borrowed $4 million under the Revolving Note. The Revolving Note bears interest at variable rates, determined at the Companys
option, at the prime rate less 1.25% or the one, two, or three-month
LIBOR plus 1.50%. The Revolving Note contains various covenants, the most significant of which 1) require periodic financial
reporting, 2) restricts the incurrence of indebtedness not explicitly
permitted under the Revolving Note, 3) requires a minimum net worth and 4) sets fixed coverage ratio limits. The Company believes
it is in compliance with all covenants to which it is subject. No
periodic principal payments are required under the Revolving Note until maturity, although the Company expects to repay the
Revolving Note during 2007. 8. MEMBERS EQUITY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME As of December 31, 2006, Deerfield
has four classes of membership interests, Class A-1, Class A-2, Class B, Class B Profits Only and Class C Profits Only, with
rights as described in the fourth
amended and restated operating agreement of Deerfield & Company LLC (the Operating Agreement). On July 22, 2004,
then existing members sold 63.6% of their capital interests in Deerfield to
Triarc Deerfield Holdings, LLC (TDH), a majority owned subsidiary of Triarc Companies, Inc (Triarc). As a
result, Triarc became the indirect majority owner of Deerfield. The Class A-1 interests are
entitled to a number of votes equal to ten multiplied by the Percentage Interest represented thereby, and the Class A-2 interests are
entitled to a number of votes
equal to one multiplied by the Percentage Interest represented thereby. The Class B membership interests have limited voting
privileges. The Class C Profits Only interests are entitled to a number of
votes equal to one multiplied by the Percentage Interest represented thereby. F-15
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
quarterly reset
Effective January 1, 2002, Class B nonvoting Profits
Only interests then representing an 11% membership interest in the Company were granted to two employees. An additional 5% was granted
to one of the employees on May 1, 2003. The employees earnings payout value, as defined in the Operating Agreement, cliff
vests on their 20th anniversary of employment with the Company or
immediately upon a substantial sale of the Company to a third party. These grants were accounted for under the variable plan
accounting rules of APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and FIN No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of APB Opinion No.
25, and compensation expense was recorded for changes in
the employees earnings payout value over the 20 year period. As of July 22, 2004, in conjunction with the sale of a majority
of the capital interests in the Company to Triarc, the Class B nonvoting
Profits Only interests fully vested, resulting in a final valuation of the interests and an acceleration of the amortization of the
expense. During 2004, $24,253 was recorded as compensation and
benefits in the consolidated statements of operations related to the full vesting of the earnings payout value. The fair value of
the interests was determined based on the purchase price of the Triarc
acquisition. Effective August 20, 2004, the
Company granted Class C Profits Only interests representing an aggregate 3.35% then membership interest in the Company to certain
employees. In accordance
with SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which became effective January 1,
2006, the grant was and continues to be accounted for at
fair value and recognized over the vesting period, which is specific to each individual. The estimated fair value, based on an
independent appraisal, was $2,050, which represents the probability-
weighted present value of estimated future cash flows to Class C Profits Only interests. The vesting periods range from 3 to 5
years. During 2006 and 2005, $617 and $617, respectively, of
amortization of the unearned compensation was recognized in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statements of operations.
Unamortized unearned compensation was $592 as of December
31, 2006. Accumulated other comprehensive
loss is a separate component of members equity that contains the unrealized valuation adjustments on the Companys
available-for-sale investments and foreign
currency translation adjustments. The change in the accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows: BalanceJanuary 1,
2004
$
(648
) Unrealized losses arising
during the year
$
(77
) Reclassification of net
unrealized losses included in net loss
262 Current year change in
other comprehensive loss related to available-for-sale investments
185 BalanceDecember
31, 2004
(463
) Unrealized losses arising
during the year
(324
) Reclassification of net
unrealized losses included in net income
341 Current year change in
other comprehensive loss related to available-for-sale investments
17 BalanceDecember
31, 2005
(446
) Unrealized losses arising
during the year
(1,312
) Reclassification of net
realized and unrealized losses included in net income
759 Current year change in
other comprehensive loss related to available-for-sale investments
(553
) Net change in foreign
currency translation
(9
) BalanceDecember
31, 2006
$
(1,008
) The components of other
comprehensive income are allocated to each class of membership interest based on the capital allocation schedule as described in the
Operating Agreement. F-16
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
BENEFITS The Company maintains a voluntary
contribution 401(k) plan (the Plan) covering all of its employees who meet certain minimum requirements and elect to
participate. Under the Plan,
employees may contribute a percentage of their salary into the Plan after completing an initial employment period. The Company has
the discretion to match a percentage of the employee
contributions for the year, which has generally been 25% of employee contributions. All Plan contributions are paid into the
Deerfield & Company LLC 401(k) Savings Trust (the Trust). The Trust
is allowed to invest the contributions, at the employees discretion, in a variety of instruments defined in the Plan
agreement. The Companys matching contributions for 2006, 2005, and 2004 were
$223, $203 and $155, respectively. The Company sponsored a Key
Employee Equity Participation Plan (KEEP Plan), which was a phantom equity appreciation plan. Under the KEEP
Plan, participants were awarded stock
appreciation rights (SAR) by the Company. Upon redemption, the KEEP Plan provided participants with the positive
difference, if any, between the value of a SAR and its strike price. The value
of a SAR was defined in the KEEP Plan as the average of the three most recent years annual net earnings multiplied by five
and divided by the number of SARs authorized. The stock appreciation
rights did not represent an equity interest in the Company. The Company retained the sole discretion to determine the employees who
received awards under the KEEP Plan. The awards vested one
fourth each year, on the first, second, third, and fourth anniversaries of the award date, and were not exercisable until the fifth
anniversary of the award date. Effective July 7, 2004, the KEEP Plan
was terminated. Total compensation expense related to the KEEP Plan recognized by the Company during the year ended December 31,
2004 was $118. In February 2006, the Company
granted stock of the REIT, managed by DCM, to certain employees of DCM. The grant consisted of 49,771 shares of common stock with a
fair value of $650 on
grant date. The granted shares are subject to restrictions with a three-year vesting period. Upon grant date, the Company recorded
a deferred cost of $650 offset by a stock grant liability of $650. The
deferred cost is amortized over the vesting period with the expense recorded in compensation and benefits in the consolidated
statements of operations. The liability is marked to market with the
change in fair value reflected as an adjustment to compensation and benefits in the consolidated statements of operations. Pursuant
to the grant agreement, the employees are entitled to any
dividends declared during the vesting period. The Company records dividend income related to the granted shares, when applicable,
reflected in net investment income and an offsetting expense
reflected in compensation and benefits. During 2006, the Company recognized $331 and $193 of amortization of the deferred cost and
changes in the fair value of the stock grant liability, respectively,
in compensation and benefits. In addition, during 2006, the Company recognized compensation expense related to dividends passed
through to grantees of $78. 10. CDO FEE ARRANGEMENTS The Company acts as collateral
manager for various CDOs capitalized by third-party investors. Typically, the transactions are underwritten by third-party investment
banks, who may warehouse
the collateral and place the debt and equity of the CDOs with the ultimate investors. The underlying collateral of the CDOs, which
is typically purchased in the open market, consists of corporate
debt, structured notes, commercial loans, synthetic instruments, and the notional amount of credit default instruments. Such
collateral is owned by separate special purpose entities for each CDO,
which issue various classes of notes and beneficial interests to third-party investors, including the Company or related entities
in certain instances. The Company manages the underlying collateral on
behalf of the investors under the terms of collateral management agreements. While most of the CDOs managed are United States
dollar denominated, the Company is the collateral manager for one
Euro denominated CLO. All fees received from this CLO are denominated in Euros. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005,
the Company managed 25 and 23 CDOs, respectively. The total par or notional value of the underlying collateral under management was
approximately $11.2
billion and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The type of CDO collateral is F-17
described in the table below. The total debt outstanding of the CDOs was
approximately $5.6 billion and $8.1 billion, respectively.
Type of CDO Collateral
December 31,
2006
2005
Number of
Par Value of
Number of
Par Value of Bank loans(1)
12
$
3,923,000
9
$
2,870,000 Credit default
swaps
2
1,939,000 Corporate
bonds
2
830,000
3
1,358,000 Asset-backed
securities(1)
11
6,477,000
9
4,299,000 Total
25
$
11,230,000
23
$
10,466,000
(1)
The Company manages a bank loan CDO and an asset-backed CDO, with combined assets under management of $593,196, that are wholly
owned by the REIT and managed by the Company.
No additional investment advisory fees are earned on these CDOs.
The CDOs have various terms and
remaining maturities, ranging from 3 to 45 years. Pursuant to the underlying
collateral management agreements, the Company is compensated for managing the underlying collateral of the CDOs. The Company earns
various fees for its services,
as follows: (1) base collateral investment management fees (Senior), which are paid before interest to the debt holders
in the transaction, and range from 5 to 25 basis points annually, (2)
subordinated base collateral investment management fees (Junior), which are subordinate to a certain return to the debt
and/or equity holders in the CDO and range from 5 to 45 basis points
annually, and in certain instances, (3) incentive fees (Incentive) that are paid after certain investors returns
exceed a hurdle internal rate of return (IRR). The Incentive fees generally range from
10-20% of residual cash flows above the hurdle IRR and vary by transaction. Management fees are recognized as revenue when the
management services have been performed and all contingencies
have been removed. Incentive fees, which are contingent upon achieving certain performance objectives, are recognized as revenue
when the performance objectives are reached and the amounts are
fixed and determinable. From time to time, the Company
enters into agreements with investors or providers of guarantees to the CDOs. In some of these agreements, the Company enters into
contractual arrangements
with the investor or guarantee provider whereby the Company is required to subordinate receipt of certain of its fees upon the
occurrence of certain events. In other agreements, the Company will
provide credit enhancement to provide additional protection to a certain investor. The form and nature of these agreements vary by
transaction. In instances where the Company is required pursuant
to a contractual arrangement to make a payment to an investor or guarantee provider, the Company may subordinate receipt of all or
a portion of its future Senior fees, Junior fees, if any, and
Incentive fees, if any, until the Companys obligation to the investor or guarantee provider has been met. In all such cases,
the subordinated amounts are limited to the extent of future fees received
on specific CDOs and there is no recourse to the Company in excess of futures fees received on the specific CDOs. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005
the Company has unrecognized cumulative fees that may be received in the future of approximately $14 million and $11 million,
respectively, due to the
subordination of fees. These agreements represent contingent or subordinate fee arrangements, whereby the Company is not
contractually entitled to the fee until specific performance requirements
are achieved. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the Company did not receive approximately $4 million, $5 million and $5 million,
respectively, of investment advisory fees due to performance requirements
not being met that may or may not be received in the future and are included in the cumulative amounts disclosed above. The Company
has a variable interest in each of the CDOs it manages due
to the provisions of the various management agreements. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company has a direct ownership interest
in nine and eight CDOs, respectively, where its ownership of
preferred shares is less than 5% of the respective CDO total debt and equity. The Company has F-18
CDOs Managed
Collateral
CDOs Managed
Collateral
determined that it does not have a majority of the expected losses or returns
in any of the CDOs that it manages, including those in which it holds ownership interests, and is, therefore, not a
primary beneficiary of these CDOs. Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of FIN 46(R), the underlying assets and liabilities
related to these transactions are not consolidated with the Companys
financial statements. The Companys maximum loss exposure relating to these variable interests is comprised of its investment
balance of $14,903 offset by the non-recourse notes payable financing
these investments of $4,585 in addition to the potential loss of future management fees as of December 31, 2006. See Note 7 for
additional information on these investments and structures. 11. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED
PARTIES An entity affiliated through common
ownership and a related person owned 4.3%, 2.9%, and 5.6% as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 of the equity of three CDOs, respectively,
managed by the
Company. The Company owns an interest in
nine and eight CDOs, respectively, with an ownership percentage ranging from 2.7% to 33.3% of total equity as of December 31, 2006
and 2005. All CDOs, in
which the Company owns equity interests are managed by the Company (see Notes 3 and 7). In addition, the Company owns
common stock of the REIT that it manages, both vested and unvested, representing a 0.88% and 0.78% ownership interest as of December
31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. The Company managed a hedge fund of
which Triarc and TDH collectively owned 76.4% as of December 31, 2005. Two executive managers of the Company collectively owned 3.9%
of the
hedge fund as of December 31, 2005. During 2006, the hedge fund was liquidated. Fees recognized for management services provided to
the hedge fund by the Company during the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $2,278 and $2,659, respectively. The Company manages a hedge fund of
which three senior executive managers of the Company collectively own 14.9% and 6.7%, respectively, of the fund as of December 31,
2006 and 2005.
TDH owned 93.3% of the fund as of December 31, 2005, but redeemed all of its interests in December 2006. Fees recognized for
management services provided to the hedge fund by the Company
during the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $167 and $202, respectively. The Company had two notes
receivable from an employee of the Company for $250 each. The interest rate on the notes was equal to the Federal Funds Rate reset
monthly. Each year on the
employees anniversary of employment with the Company, 20% of the balance of the note and all accrued interest was to be
forgiven as long as the employee was still employed with the Company.
On May 1, 2004, the notes were fully forgiven on an accelerated basis. Upon forgiveness of the notes, the Company recorded
compensation expense of $201, and the notes were no longer outstanding
as of December 31, 2004. In accordance with an employment
agreement with an executive of the Company who is also a director of Triarc, the Company incurred expenses in 2006, 2005 and 2004 of
$478, $617 and $199,
respectively, to reimburse an entity of which the executive is the principal owner for operating expenses related to the usage of
an airplane. As of December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company has a
remaining payable of $46 and $91, respectively, to this entity. The Company also has related party
transactions discussed in Note 8 consisting of noncash compensation. 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In April 2007, the members of the
Company entered into a definite agreement to sell their interests to DFR Merger Company LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deerfield
Triarc Capital Corp
(DTCC) (Merger). Upon meeting the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement and the Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 19, 2007 (Merger Agreement) at the contemplated F-19
effective time, DFR Merger Company LLC will be merged with and into Deerfield,
which will result in Deerfield becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of DTCC. Set forth below are brief
description of material terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. These descriptions do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by the
Merger Agreement, which was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 2.1 to Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on April 24, 2007. Merger Agreement The aggregate consideration to be
paid by DTCC in connection with the Merger is approximately $290 million, consisting of $145 million in cash and approximately 9.6
million shares of DTCC
common stock (which had a value of approximately $145 million based on the average of the closing price of the DTCCs common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the 10 trading days
prior to and including April 18, 2007), subject to various adjustments, including the deduction of an amount equal to the principal
amount of debt outstanding of the Company (together with all
accrued and unpaid interest, if any). The Merger Agreement also permits
the Company, prior to the effective time of the Merger, to distribute to its members up to approximately $6.0 million of cash (plus
amounts for taxes relating
to pre-closing periods), and requires the Company to distribute to its members, prior to the effective time of the Merger,
approximately 309,000 shares of Company common stock currently owned by
the Company. Approximately 2.5 million shares of
the DTCCs common stock being issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement will be deposited into an escrow account (the Escrow
Fund) and will be
available to satisfy the post-closing indemnification and other payment obligations of the pre-closing members of the Company.
Subject to certain limitations (including caps and baskets) and
qualifications, the Merger Agreement contains customary indemnification provisions for the benefit of the DTCC as well as the
pre-closing members of the Company. Barring no outstanding
indemnification claims, the Escrow Fund will terminate one year from the closing date of the Merger, and any remaining shares of
DTCC common stock and other assets in the Escrow Fund will be
released to the pre-closing members of the Company, including Triarc Companies, Inc. Parties to the Merger Agreement
have made customary representations, warranties, covenants and agreements to each other in the Merger Agreement. The completion of
the Merger is subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of conditions customary to transactions of this type including, among others:
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended; the approval of the issuance of shares of DTCC
common stock in the Merger by the Companys stockholders representing (1) a majority of the votes cast at a meeting to approve
such matter
and (2) a majority of the votes cast by stockholders not affiliated with the Company; DTCC having obtained debt financing for the
aggregate cash consideration payable in the Merger and related fees and expenses; the Company having obtained consents from the
requisite number of its clients with respect to the Merger; the resale registration statement contemplated
by the Registration Rights Agreement having been declared effective by the SEC; DTCC having furnished to the Company the
requisite REIT qualification opinion; and the satisfaction by Triarc Companies, Inc. of
certain put rights held by certain Company members should they be exercised. The completion of the merger is
expected to occur in the third quarter of 2007. When the transaction closes, the DTCC will discontinue the use of Triarc
in its name. F-20
The Merger Agreement also contains certain customary
termination rights for both the Company and DTCC, including the right of either party to terminate the Merger Agreement if the
completion of the merger has not occurred by October 19, 2007. In addition, the Company has the right to terminate if the DTCC has
not obtained a debt financing commitment reasonably
satisfactory to DTCC and Triarc Companies, Inc. by May 19, 2007, and both the Company and DTCC have the right to terminate if the
DTCC has not obtained a debt financing commitment
reasonably satisfactory to the DTCC and Triarc Companies, Inc. by June 19, 2007. * * * * * F-21
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Three months ended
March 31,
2007
2006 ASSETS Cash (including cash
equivalents of $3,308 and $12,186)
$
5,979
$
17,944 Restricted cash
equivalents
400
400 Investment advisory fee
receivable
8,621
24,364 Investments (Note
3)
13,854
15,369 Investmentspledged
(Notes 3 and 6)
7,443
8,168 Fixed assets (net of
accumulated depreciation of $1,522 and $1,200)
11,346
11,664 Intangible assets (net of
accumulated amortization of $90 and $75)
90
105 Deferred
costs
2,389
1,082 Prepaid
expenses
6,955
6,214 Other
receivables
19
212 TOTAL
ASSETS
$
57,096
$
85,522 LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS EQUITY LIABILITIES: Accrued expenses (Note
4)
$
10,322
$
32,681 Accounts
payable
504
704 Deferred
revenue
548
810 Deferred rent payable
(Note 5)
4,442
4,203 Other liabilities (Note
8)
1,957
842 Notes payable (Note
6)
5,582
8,585 Total
liabilities
23,355
47,825 Commitments and
contingencies
MEMBERS EQUITY
(Including accumulated other comprehensive losses of $1,696 and $1,008, respectively) (Note 7)
33,741
37,697 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
MEMBERS EQUITY
$
57,096
$
85,522 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated
financial statements. F-22
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Three months ended
March 31,
2007
2006 REVENUES: Investment advisory
fees
$
15,686
$
15,057 Other related
fees
167
169 Total
revenues
15,853
15,226 EXPENSES: Compensation and benefits
(Note 8)
11,027
9,853 General and
administrative
1,654
1,905 Depreciation and
amortization
337
426 Total
expenses
13,018
12,184 Operating profit
(loss)
2,835
3,042 Investment income, net
(Note 3)
55
695 Interest expense (Note
6)
(124
)
(124
) Other expense,
net
62
INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
2,828
3,613 Provision for income
taxes
41
26 NET INCOME
$
2,787
$
3,587 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated
financial statements. F-23
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
Three months ended
March 31,
2007
2006 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES: Net income
$
2,787
$
3,587 Adjustments to reconcile
net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Noncash
compensation
182
189 Depreciation and
amortization, excluding amortization of deferred costs
337
426 Amortization of deferred
costs
36
47 Dividends on CDO
investments, net of accretion
217
298 Other than temporary
impairment on available for sale securities
672
Realized gain on
available-for-sale investment
(24
)
Net unrealized gain on
derivative assets
(63
)
13 Net realized gain on
trading securities
(8
)
Net purchases and sales
of trading securities
278
Recognition of deferred
revenue
(34
)
(392
) Straight-line lease
accrual
239
239 Changes in operating
assets and liabilities: Decrease in investment
advisory fee receivable
15,745
11,241 Decrease (increase) in
other receivables and prepaid expenses
274
(110
) Decrease in accrued
expenses and accounts payable
(23,377
)
(13,797
) Net cash (used in)
provided by operating activities
(2,739
)
1,741 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES: Purchases of fixed
assets
(4
)
(3,786
) Purchases of intangible
assets
(45
) Net cash used in
investing activities
(4
)
(3,831
) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES: Repayment of notes
payable
(3,010
)
(1,461
) Distributions to
members
(6,209
)
(4,478
) Net cash used in
financing activities
(9,219
)
(5,939
) Effect of exchange rates
on cash and cash equivalents
(3
)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
(11,965
)
(8,029
) CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTSBeginning of period
17,944
12,505 CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTSEnd of period
$
5,979
$
4,476 SUPPLEMENTAL
INFORMATION: Cash paid for
interest
$
116
$
109 Supplemental non-cash
investing activities: Receipt of investment
securities for incentive fees earned
$
2
$
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated
financial statements. F-24
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC 1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF
BUSINESS Deerfield & Company LLC
(Deerfield), an Illinois limited liability company, was organized on February 24, 1997, and commenced operations on March
1, 1997. Deerfield commenced operations
under an original predecessor company, Springfield International Investments (Chicago), Inc., on July 20, 1993. The consolidated
financial statements include the accounts of Deerfield and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). The Companys wholly-owned
subsidiaries at March 31, 2007 were Deerfield Capital Management LLC (DCM), Deerfield Capital Management (Europe) Limited
(DCM Europe), and
Rosemont Trading Company LLC (Rosemont). DCM serves as the trading advisor for four fixed income investment funds and
six private investment accounts (hereafter referred to collectively as
the Funds). DCM also manages the assets of a publicly traded real estate investment trust (the REIT) and
serves as a collateral manager for 25 collateralized debt obligations (CDO),
collateralized loan obligations (CLO), collateralized bond obligations (CBO), and a structured loan fund
(hereafter referred to collectively as the CDOs). DCM earns management and incentive
fees for the services provided to the Funds, the REIT, and the CDOs (collectively, investment vehicles). As of March
31, 2007, DCM has approximately $13.2 billion in assets under management.
DCM Europe commenced operations on July 3, 2006 and serves solely as a marketing and investment advisor for DCMs prospective
and existing European based CLOs for which DCM expects to
serve or serves as a collateral manager. Rosemont was an investment vehicle used by Deerfield to explore a potential new investment
strategy for a hedge fund, which was liquidated as of March 31,
2007. The Companys management directs Deerfields operations as one business or segment, which is asset
management. 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Companys significant
accounting policies are included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. There
were no significant changes to these
policies during the three months ended March 31, 2007. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited
consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America
(GAAP) for interim financial information. Accordingly, the Company did not include all of the information and footnotes
for complete financial statements as required by GAAP. The interim
unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys audited financial statements as of and for the
year ended December 31, 2006. In the opinion of the Companys
management all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys
financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been
included. The nature of the Companys business is such that the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative
of results for a full year. Recent Accounting
Pronouncements In June 2006, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN
48), an Interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 109. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a companys financial statements
and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the F-25
(An
Illinois Limited Liability Company)
A MAJORITY-OWNED INDIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 is effective January 1, 2007. The Company adopted FIN 48 as of January 1,
2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements. In September 2006, the FASB issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurement. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value,
establishes a framework for
measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company as of January
1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the potential
impact of adopting this standard. In February 2007, the FASB issued
SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to
measure financial instruments
and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for
the Company as of January 1, 2008. The Company is currently
evaluating the potential impact of adopting this standard. 3. INVESTMENTS As a condition to obtaining the
management contract with certain CDOs, the Company was required to make an initial investment in certain of the CDOs it manages. The
Company has one
Euro denominated investment in a CLO in its portfolio. The investment was converted into United States dollars at the March 31,
2007 exchange rate. Additionally, a portion of the management fees
earned from the REIT was paid in restricted stock and stock options and 15% of the incentive fee earned is payable in REIT stock.
The Companys investment portfolio consists of these required
investments, and management considers the investment income earned on these investments to be part of the Companys core
business due to the commitments made to the Companys investors and
the terms of the management agreements. The following is a summary of the
Companys investments at March 31, 2007:
Cost
Unrealized
Fair Value
Carrying
Gains
Losses Available-for-sale: Preferred shares of
CDOs
$
15,611
$
75
$
(1,715
)
$
13,971
$
13,971 Vested common stock in
the REIT
4,621
(49
)
4,572
4,572
$
75
$
(1,764
) Derivatives: Vested stock options in
the REIT
504
491
491 Other: Unvested stock in the
REIT
2,018
2,018
2,018 Unvested stock options of
the REIT
245
245
245 Total
$
22,999
$
21,297
$
21,297 The carrying amount of investments
in CDOs by contractual maturity at March 31, 2007, is as follows:
Maturity date
Carrying amount Within 1
year
$
1-5 years
6,424 5-10 years
After 10
years
7,547 Total
$
13,971 The CDOs are subject to early
redemption in certain circumstances that vary by CDO. F-26
Holding
Amount
The following table sets forth the fair value and
gross unrealized losses of the Companys available-for-sale investments that were in an unrealized loss position aggregated by
length of time that
such individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2007:
Less than
Greater than
Total
Fair
Gross
Fair
Gross
Fair
Gross Preferred shares of
CDOs
$
3,537
$
(956
)
$
7,695
$
(759
)
$
11,232
$
(1,715
) The Company does not believe that
any of the gross unrealized losses set forth in the table above represent other than temporary losses because there has not been an
adverse change in
estimated future cash flows and the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to
recover the amortized cost of these investments. The Company
believes the impairment of these investments is due to varying market perceptions related to the risks surrounding the general
asset classes underlying the investments. During the three months ended
March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments of $672 and $0, respectively, on its
available-for-sale investments, which are included in investment income, net
in the consolidated statements of operations. 4. ACCRUED EXPENSES The following is a summary of the
components of accrued expenses at March 31, 2007: Accrued compensation and
related benefits
$
7,524 Accrued professional
fees
2,521 Accrued
taxes
208 Accrued
interest
58 Other
11 Total
$
10,322 5. LEASES AND LEASE COMMITMENTS In January 2007, DCM Europe entered
into an eighteen month lease expiring October 31, 2008, with a commencement date of May 1, 2007, which will serve as DCM
Europes primary office
space. Total rental expense for the three
month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $352 and $439, respectively. Rental expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007
and 2006 includes
$239 for each of the two periods, of non-cash expense related to the straight-line rent accrual on the lease the Company entered
into in July 2005 for a new corporate headquarters. Certain of these leases also
provide for payment of certain executory costs, which are not included in the minimum rentals set forth below. Future minimum lease
commitments on the Companys
operating leases having an initial lease term in excess of one year as of March 31, 2007 are as follows: 2007
$
670 2008
1,143 2009
1,147 2010
1,188 2011
1,222 Thereafter
12,537 Total
$
17,907 F-27
12 Months
12 Months
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Value
Unrealized
Losses
(6 securities)
6. NOTES PAYABLE The following is a summary of the
Companys outstanding notes payable to financial institutions related to the Companys investments in certain CDOs it
manages at March 31, 2007:
Balance
Terms
$2,510
LIBOR + 100 bp;
quarterly reset
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $5,760 as of March 31, 2007. No stated
maturity; principal and interest payments
equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required until paid in
full.
338
LIBOR + 40 bp;
quarterly reset
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $950 as of March 31, 2007. No stated maturity;
principal and interest payments
equal to 62.5% of all management fees and preferred share distributions of such CDO are required until paid in
full.
734
EURIBOR + 100bp;
quarterly reset
Non-recourse note secured by preferred shares of a CDO with a carrying value of $733 as of March 31, 2007. Maturity date is May
30, 2009. Principal and interest
payments equal to 100% of all preferred share distributions and 50% of all management fees on or after October 2007 of such CDO
are required until paid in full.
The preferred shares and the outstanding notes are Euro denominated. They have been converted at the March 31, 2007 exchange
rate.
$3,582 Revolving Note
PayableThe Company has a $10 million revolving note (Revolving Note) with a three year term maturing in
February 2009. The Revolving Note bears interest at variable rates,
determined at the Companys option, at the prime rate less 1.25% or the one, two, or three-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. The
Revolving Note contains various covenants, the most significant of which
1) require periodic financial reporting, 2) restrict the incurrence of indebtedness not explicitly permitted under the Revolving
Note, 3) require a minimum net worth and 4) sets fixed coverage ratio
limits. The Company believes it is in compliance with all covenants to which it is subject. No periodic principal payments are
required under the Revolving Note until maturity. However, in January
2007, the Company repaid $2 million on the Revolving Note and expects to repay the remaining balance during 2007. The outstanding
balance as of March 31, 2007 was $2 million. 7. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Accumulated other comprehensive
loss is a separate component of members equity that contains the unrealized holding gains and losses on the Companys
available-for-sale investments and
foreign currency translation adjustments. The change in the accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March
31, 2007 is as follows: BalanceJanuary 1,
2007
$
(1,008
) Unrealized losses arising
during the year
(1,339
) Reclassification of net
realized and unrealized losses included in net income
648 Current year change in
other comprehensive loss related to
(691
) Net change in foreign
currency translation
3 BalanceMarch 31,
2007
$
(1,696
) The components of other
comprehensive income are allocated to each class of membership interest based on the capital allocation schedule as described in the
Operating Agreement. F-28
available-for-sale investments
8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
BENEFITS In March 2007, the Company granted
stock of the REIT, managed by DCM, to certain employees of DCM. The grant consisted of 97,403 shares of common stock with a fair
value of $1.5
million on grant date. The granted shares are subject to restrictions with a three-year vesting period. Upon grant date, the
Company recorded a deferred cost of $1.5 million offset by a stock grant
liability of $1.5 million. The deferred cost is amortized over the vesting period with the expense recorded in compensation and
benefits in the consolidated statements of operations. The liability is
marked to market with the change in fair value reflected as an adjustment to compensation and benefits in the consolidated
statements of operations. Pursuant to the grant agreement, the employees
are entitled to any dividends declared during the vesting period. The Company records dividend income related to the granted
shares, when applicable, reflected in net investment income and an
offsetting expense reflected in compensation and benefits. During the three month period ending March 31, 2007, the Company
recognized $158 and $130 of amortization of the deferred cost and
changes in the fair value of the stock grant liability from 2006 and 2007 employee stock grants in compensation and benefits,
respectively. 9. RELATED PARTIES The Company continues to have
related party transactions of the same nature and general magnitude as those described in the notes to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended
December 31, 2006. 10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In April 2007, the members of the
Company entered into a definite agreement to sell their interests to DFR Merger Company LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deerfield
Triarc Capital Corp
(DTCC) (Merger). Upon meeting the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement and the Plan of Merger,
dated as of April 19, 2007 (Merger Agreement) at the contemplated effective
time, DFR Merger Company LLC will be merged with and into Deerfield, which will result in Deerfield becoming an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of DTCC. Set forth below are brief
description of material terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. These descriptions do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by the
Merger Agreement, which was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 2.1 to Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp.s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on April 24, 2007. MERGER AGREEMENT The aggregate consideration to be
paid by DTCC in connection with the Merger is approximately $290 million, consisting of $145 million in cash and approximately 9.6
million shares of DTCC
common stock (which had a value of approximately $145 million based on the average of the closing price of the DTCCs common
stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the 10 trading days
prior to and including April 18, 2007), subject to various adjustments, including the deduction of an amount equal to the principal
amount of debt outstanding of the Company (together with all
accrued and unpaid interest, if any). The Merger Agreement also permits
the Company, prior to the effective time of the Merger, to distribute to its members up to approximately $6.0 million of cash (plus
amounts for taxes relating
to pre-closing periods), and requires the Company to distribute to its members, prior to the effective time of the Merger,
approximately 309,000 shares of Company common stock currently owned by
the Company. Approximately 2.5 million shares of
the DTCCs common stock being issued pursuant to the Merger Agreement will be deposited into an escrow account (the Escrow
Fund) and will be
available to satisfy the post-closing indemnification and other payment obligations of the pre-closing members of the Company.
Subject to certain limitations (including caps and baskets) and
qualifications, the Merger Agreement contains customary indemnification provisions for the benefit of the DTCC as well as the
pre-closing members of the Company. Barring no outstanding F-29
indemnification claims, the Escrow Fund will terminate one year from the
closing date of the Merger, and any remaining shares of DTCC common stock and other assets in the Escrow Fund will be
released to the pre-closing members of the Company, including Triarc Companies, Inc. Parties to the Merger Agreement
have made customary representations, warranties, covenants and agreements to each other in the Merger Agreement. The completion of
the Merger is subject to
the satisfaction or waiver of conditions customary to transactions of this type including, among others:
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976,
as amended; the approval of the issuance of shares of DTCC
common stock in the Merger by the Companys stockholders representing (1) a majority of the votes cast at a meeting to approve
such
matter and (2) a majority of the votes cast by stockholders not affiliated with the Company; DTCC having obtained debt financing for the
aggregate cash consideration payable in the Merger and related fees and expenses; The Company having obtained consents from the
requisite number of its clients with respect to the Merger; the resale registration statement contemplated
by the Registration Rights Agreement having been declared effective by the SEC; DTCC having furnished to the Company the
requisite REIT qualification opinion; and the satisfaction by Triarc Companies, Inc. of
certain put rights held by certain Company members should they be exercised. The completion of the merger is
expected to occur in the third quarter of 2007. When the transaction closes, the DTCC will discontinue the use of Triarc
in its name. The Merger Agreement also contains
certain customary termination rights for both the Company and DTCC, including the right of either party to terminate the Merger
Agreement if the
completion of the merger has not occurred by October 19, 2007. In addition, the Company has the right to terminate if the DTCC has
not obtained a debt financing commitment reasonably
satisfactory to DTCC and Triarc Companies, Inc. by May 19, 2007, and both the Company and DTCC have the right to terminate if the
DTCC has not obtained a debt financing commitment
reasonably satisfactory to the DTCC and Triarc Companies, Inc. by June 19, 2007. * * * * * F-30
BY AND AMONG DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL
CORP., DFR MERGER COMPANY,
LLC, DEERFIELD & COMPANY
LLC AND TRIARC COMPANIES,
INC. AS SELLERS
REPRESENTATIVE DATED AS OF APRIL 19,
2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
A-2 1.1 Defined
Terms
A-2 ARTICLE II THE
MERGER
A-10 2.1 The
Merger
A-10 2.2 Effective
Time
A-10 2.3
Closing
A-10 2.4 Effects of the
Merger
A-10 2.5 Organizational
Instruments
A-10 2.6 Directors and
Officers
A-10 2.7 Buyer Board
Designation Rights
A-10 2.8 Further
Assurances
A-10 ARTICLE III CONVERSION OF
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS AND MERGER CONSIDERATION
A-11 3.1 Calculation of
Aggregate Merger Consideration
A-11 3.2 Effect on Membership
Interests
A-11 3.3 Closing Payments;
Exchange of Membership Interests
A-12 3.4 Member Written
Consent
A-14 3.5 Allocation of
Aggregate Merger Consideration
A-14 ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
A-14 4.1 Due Organization;
Qualification
A-15 4.2 Subsidiaries;
Investments
A-15 4.3 Authorization;
Enforceability; Voting Requirements
A-15 4.4
Capitalization
A-15 4.5 Financial Statements;
Cash on Hand
A-16 4.6 No Material Adverse
Change; Ordinary Course
A-16 4.7 No Undisclosed
Liabilities
A-16 4.8 Compliance with
Laws
A-17 4.9
Permits
A-17 4.10 Regulatory
Compliance
A-17 4.11 Environmental
Compliance
A-17 4.12
Clients
A-17 4.13 Non-Contravention;
Consents and Approvals
A-20 4.14
Contracts
A-21 4.15
Property
A-22 4.16 Intellectual
Property
A-23 4.17
Litigation
A-23 4.18 Taxes
A-23 4.19 Employee Benefit
Plans
A-24 4.20
Employees
A-25 4.21
Brokers
A-25 4.22 Related Party
Transactions
A-25 4.23 Information
Provided
A-25 4.24
Insurance
A-26 4.25 Books and
Records
A-26 4.26 Code of
Ethics
A-26 4.27 Anti-Money
Laundering Policy
A-26 4.28 Disclaimer Regarding
Estimates and Projections
A-26 4.29 Exclusivity of
Representations
A-27 ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER AND BUYER SUB
A-27 5.1 Due Incorporation;
Qualification
A-27 5.2 Subsidiaries;
Investments
A-27 5.3 Authorization;
Enforceability
A-27 i
PAGE 5.4
Capitalization
A-28 5.5 SEC Reports and
Financial Statements
A-28 5.6 REIT Qualification;
Investment Company Act
A-29 5.7
Non-Contravention
A-29 5.8 Information
Provided
A-30 5.9 Opinions of
Buyers Financial Advisors
A-30 5.10
Financing
A-30 5.11
Brokers
A-30 5.12 Investment
Intent
A-30 5.13 Independent
Investigation
A-31 5.14 Exclusivity of
Representations
A-31 ARTICLE VI COVENANTS AND
AGREEMENTS
A-31 6.1 Conduct of Business
of the Company
A-31 6.2 Conduct of Business
of the Buyer
A-33 6.3 Access to
Information; Confidentiality
A-34 6.4
Expenses
A-35 6.5
Publicity
A-35 6.6 Further
Actions
A-35 6.7 Required Consents and
Notices from Governmental Authorities
A-36 6.8 Client
Consents
A-36 6.9 Proxy Statement;
Stockholders Meeting; NYSE Listing
A-38 6.10 Preservation of
Records; Post-Closing Access to Information and Cooperation
A-39 6.11 Termination of
Related Party Transactions
A-40 6.12 Employee
Matters
A-40 6.13 Officers and
Directors
A-41 6.14
Release
A-42 6.15 Tax
Matters
A-42 6.16
Financing
A-43 6.17 Escrow Agreement;
Registration Rights Agreement; REIT Qualification Opinion
A-44 6.18 Modification of
Existing Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares
A-44 6.19 No
Shop
A-45 6.20 Non-Competition;
Non-Solicitation
A-45 6.21 Distribution and
Vesting of Buyer Common Stock
A-46 6.22 DFP
Transaction
A-46 6.23 Permissible
Activities
A-47 ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE BUYER AND BUYER SUB TO CLOSE
A-47 7.1 HSR Act
Filings
A-47 7.2 Stockholder
Approval
A-47 7.3 Proxy
Statement
A-47 7.4 No
Orders
A-47 7.5 Accuracy of
Representations and Warranties
A-47 7.6 Performance of
Covenants and Agreements
A-47 7.7
Certificate
A-47 7.8 No Company Material
Adverse Effect
A-47 7.9 Client
Consents
A-48 7.10 Escrow
Agreement
A-48 7.11
Financing
A-48 7.12 Satisfaction of Put
Right
A-48 7.13 Investment Banking
Firm Determination
A-48 ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO CLOSE
A-48 8.1 HSR Act
Filings
A-48 8.2 Stockholder
Approval
A-48 ii
PAGE 8.3 NYSE
Listing
A-48 8.4 Proxy
Statement
A-48 8.5 No
Orders
A-48 8.6 Accuracy of
Representations and Warranties
A-48 8.7 Performance of
Covenants and Agreements
A-49 8.8
Certificate
A-49 8.9 No Buyer Material
Adverse Effect
A-49 8.10 Registration
Statement
A-49 8.11 REIT Qualification
Opinion
A-49 8.12 Modification of
Existing Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares
A-49 8.13 Name
Change
A-49 8.14 Escrow
Agreement
A-49 8.15 Satisfaction of Put
Right
A-49 8.16 Investment Banking
Firm Determination
A-49 ARTICLE IX SELLERS
REPRESENTATIVE
A-50 9.1 Appointment of
Sellers Representative
A-50 9.2
Authority
A-50 9.3 Limitation of
Liability
A-50 9.4
Reliance
A-50 9.5 Successor to
Sellers Representative
A-51 9.6
Expenses
A-51 ARTICLE X TERMINATION OF
AGREEMENT
A-51 10.1
Termination
A-51 10.2 Survival After
Termination
A-52 ARTICLE XI SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION; MISCELLANEOUS
A-52 11.1 Survival of
Representations and Warranties
A-52 11.2
Indemnification
A-52 11.3 Indemnification
Procedures
A-53 11.4 Limitations on
Indemnification
A-54 11.5 Indemnity
Escrow
A-55 11.6 Tax
Matters
A-55 11.7
Non-Recourse
A-55 11.8 Exclusivity of
Indemnity
A-56 11.9 Consent to
Jurisdiction; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial
A-56 11.10
Notices
A-56 11.11 Entire
Agreement
A-57 11.12 Waivers and
Amendments
A-57 11.13 Governing
Law
A-58 11.14 Binding Effect;
Assignment
A-58 11.15
Usage
A-58 11.16 Articles and
Sections
A-58 11.17
Interpretation
A-58 11.18
Disclosure
A-58 11.19 Severability of
Provisions
A-58 11.20
Counterparts
A-59 11.21 No Third Party
Beneficiaries
A-59 11.22 Specific
Performance
A-59 iii
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated
as of April 19, 2007 (this Agreement), by and among Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (the
Buyer), DFR Merger
Company, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Buyer (Buyer
Sub), Deerfield & Company LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (the
Company), and solely for the purposes of Article IX and Sections 2.7, 3.3, 3.5, 6.5, 6.10, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17 and
6.20, Triarc Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (in such capacity, the Sellers
Representative). WHEREAS, the Buyer and Deerfield
Capital Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (DCM),
are parties to that certain
Management Agreement, dated December 23, 2004 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
Management Agreement); WHEREAS, a special committee
comprised of members of the Board of Directors of the Buyer who are not directors, officers, employees or affiliates of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries
(the Special Committee) has unanimously determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
are in the best interests of the Buyer and those stockholders of the Buyer that
are not also, directly or indirectly, beneficial owners of equity interests of DCM, and has unanimously recommended to the Board of
Directors of the Buyer that the Board of Directors of the Buyer
adopt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
the Buyer and the sole member of Buyer Sub each have determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the merger
of Buyer Sub with and into the Company (the Merger), are advisable and in the best interests of the Buyer and
those stockholders of the Buyer that are not also, directly or indirectly, beneficial
owners of equity interests of DCM and have adopted or approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the Merger, and resolved to recommend that stockholders of
the Buyer approve the issuance of shares of common stock of the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of
the Company has determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are advisable and in
the best interest
of the members of the Company and have adopted or approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger, and resolved to recommend that members of the
Company approve this Agreement; WHEREAS, the parties intend that
this Agreement constitute a plan of merger within the meaning of Section 37-20 of the Illinois Limited Liability Company
Act, as amended (the ILLCA); WHEREAS, concurrently with the
execution and delivery by the parties hereto of this Agreement, the Buyer, the Sellers Representative and certain persons who
are entitled to receive shares of
capital stock of the Buyer pursuant to the Merger or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, are executing and delivering a
Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached
hereto as Annex A (the Registration Rights Agreement), which Registration Rights Agreement also contemplates the
execution and delivery from time to time after the date hereof by any other
person who is entitled to receive such shares; and WHEREAS, the parties desire to make
certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions
to the Merger. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements entered into herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties agree as
follows: A-1
ARTICLE I 1.1 Defined Terms. (a) For all purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1 (such definitions to be equally
applicable to both the singular and
plural forms of the terms herein defined): Advisory
Contract shall mean any Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides Investment Management
Services to any Person, excluding the Management
Agreement. Affiliate means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by
or under common control with such Person.
The term control (including, with correlative meaning, the terms controlled by and under common
control with), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or
other securities, by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, no Client (including, prior to the Closing, the Buyer and its Subsidiaries) shall be deemed
to be an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Ancillary
Document means the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. Benefit Plan
means any employee benefit plan, arrangement or policy (whether or not an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of
ERISA), including any employment,
consulting or deferred compensation agreement, executive compensation, change in control, severance, retention, bonus, incentive,
pension, profit-sharing, savings, retirement, equity, stock option,
restricted stock, stock purchase or severance pay plan, any life, health, disability or accident insurance plan or any holiday or
vacation practice, other than any multiemployer plan within the meaning
of Section 3(37) of ERISA (Multiemployer Plan), as to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any trade
or business, whether or not incorporated, which is or has ever been treated as a
single employer with any of them under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (ERISA Affiliate)) has, or in
the future may have, any material liability. Business Day
means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by Law to
close. Buyer Common
Stock means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Buyer. Buyer Material Adverse
Effect means any effect, change, event, circumstance, impairment, condition, development, occurrence or state of facts (i)
that would reasonably be expected to prevent
or materially impair the ability of the Buyer or Buyer Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) that has been
or would be materially adverse to the financial condition,
business, results of operations, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), properties or assets of the Buyer or Buyer Sub, taken as a
whole (after taking into account any insurance or other third party
recourses available in respect thereof), except that events, circumstances, changes, developments, impairments or conditions
resulting from (A) events, changes, developments, conditions or
circumstances in worldwide, national or local conditions or circumstances (political, regulatory or otherwise, but not economic or
related to the financial markets) but only to the extent such events,
changes, developments, conditions or circumstances are not specifically relating to, or disproportionately affecting, the Buyer or
Buyer Sub, (B) an outbreak or escalation of war, armed hostilities, acts
of terrorism, political instability, natural catastrophe or other national or international calamity, crisis or emergency, or any
governmental or other response to any of the foregoing, in each case,
whether occurring within or outside the United States, (C) the announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby or other communication by or on behalf of the Company or
the Sellers Representative of their plans or intentions with respect to any aspect of the business of the Company, the Buyer
and their Subsidiaries, (D) any change in Law or GAAP, or (E) any
action or omission of the Buyer or Buyer Sub taken or omitted (x) in connection with the performance of the Buyers or Buyer
Subs obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (y) to comply with any Law or Order or (z) with the prior A-2
DEFINITIONS
written consent of the Company, in each case of clauses (A) through (E), shall
not be deemed to constitute or give rise to, and shall not be considered in determining whether there has occurred, a
Buyer Material Adverse Effect. Buyer Preferred
Stock means the preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Buyer. CDO means each
of the issuers of collateralized debt obligations to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently provides Investment
Management Services. CDO Documents
shall mean each final or supplemental offering memorandum, indenture, supplemental indenture, management agreement, trust agreement,
collateral administration agreement,
insurance agreement, hedge agreement and swap agreement entered into, or used in connection with an offering of securities, by a
CDO. Class A-1
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Class A-2
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Class B
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Class C Profits Only
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Client means any
Person to whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides Investment Management Services; provided, that no investor in
any such Person shall be deemed a Client;
provided, further, that any Pipeline Fund or other prospective hedge fund or collateralized debt obligation the closing of
which has not yet occurred shall not be deemed a Client. Closing Pay-Off
Debt means the Closing Debt incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Revolving Note, dated February 2, 2006,
by and between DCM and Fifth Third Bank, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. Code means the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (including any successor code), and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. Commodity Exchange
Act shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder. Company Expenses
means all costs, fees and expenses incurred by Triarc Companies, Inc. on behalf of all Members generally or by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, in each case in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or other possible transactions (including the potential
spin-off of the Company) considered previously by such Persons in
connection with the Company or its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether incurred prior to or after the date hereof) including (i)
the fees and expenses of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Jefferies & Co., (ii)
the fees and expenses of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and other legal counsel engaged by Triarc Companies,
Inc., the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) the fees and expenses of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in
connection with the potential spin-off of the Company, (iv) the fees and
expenses of the Investment Banking Firm (as defined in the Existing Operating Agreement) incurred by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with an Investment Banking Firm
Determination, if applicable, and (v) any retention bonus, stay-put, change of control or other similar
payments made to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in contemplation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and the employer portion of any employment Taxes payable with respect thereto. For the
avoidance of doubt, Other Expenses shall not be considered Company
Expenses for any purpose under this Agreement. Company Material Adverse
Effect means any effect, change, event, circumstance, impairment, condition, development, occurrence or state of facts (i)
that would reasonably be expected to
prevent or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) that has been or
would be materially adverse to the financial condition, business,
results of operations, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), properties or assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole (after taking into account any insurance or other third party
recourses available in respect thereof), except that events, circumstances, changes, developments, impairments or conditions
resulting from (A) events, changes, developments, A-3
conditions or circumstances in worldwide, national or local conditions or
circumstances (political, regulatory or otherwise, but not economic or related to the financial markets) but only to the extent
such events, changes, developments, conditions or circumstances are not specifically relating to, or disproportionately affecting,
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) an outbreak or escalation of
war, armed hostilities, acts of terrorism, political instability, natural catastrophe or other national or international calamity,
crisis or emergency, or any governmental or other response to any of the
foregoing, in each case, whether occurring within or outside the United States, (C) the announcement of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby or other communication by or on
behalf of the Buyer or Buyer Sub of their plans or intentions (including in respect of employees and Clients) with respect to any
aspect of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries or the
identity of or involvement of the Buyer or its Affiliates, (D) any change in Law or GAAP, or (E) any action or omission of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries taken or omitted (x) in connection
with the performance of the Companys obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, (y) to comply with any Law or Order or (z) with the prior
written consent of the Buyer, in each case of clauses (A) through (E), shall not be deemed to constitute or give rise to, and shall
not be considered in determining whether there has occurred, a
Company Material Adverse Effect. Contract means
any written contract, agreement, lease, license, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, loan, instrument, commitment or other arrangement,
understanding, undertaking or obligation. Debt means, as
to any Person, without duplication (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, excluding any notes payable issued by, or
repurchase agreements entered into by, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a CDO Financing, and (ii) all guarantees of such Person in respect of any
obligations of any other Person for borrowed money; for the
avoidance of doubt, an obligation of a Person which is accounted for as a guarantee in accordance with GAAP shall be deemed
Debt only if it is in respect of any obligations of any other Person
for borrowed money. DFP means
Deerfield Financial Products LLC or any other Person formed by or on behalf of the Company as a credit derivative products
company. ERISA means the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Escrow Agent
means Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware corporation, or such other Person mutually determined by the Buyer and the Sellers
Representative in its capacity as Escrow
Agent under the Escrow Agreement. Escrow Agreement
means the escrow agreement to be dated as of the Closing Date by and among the Company, the Buyer and the Escrow Agent substantially
in the form of Exhibit A
hereto. Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Existing Operating
Agreement means the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Deerfield & Company LLC, dated as of June 26,
2004, by and among the Members and the
Company, as supplemented by (i) the First Supplement to the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Deerfield &
Company LLC, dated as of July 22, 2004, (ii) the Second
Supplement to the Fourth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Deerfield & Company LLC, dated as of August 16, 2004 and
(iii) the Third Supplement to the Fourth Amended and
Restated Operating Agreement of Deerfield & Company LLC, dated as of August 20, 2004. Governmental
Authority means any foreign, federal, state or local governmental, judicial, legislature, regulatory or administrative
agency or, commission or authority, court, arbitral authority or
national securities exchange. Hedge Fund shall
mean each of the private investment funds to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently provides Investment Management
Services and identified as a Hedge
Fund in Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter. A-4
Hedge Fund Documents shall mean
each final or supplemental offering memorandum, management agreement, organizational instrument, and side letter with an investor
entered into, or used
in connection with an offering of securities, by a Hedge Fund. HSR Act means
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Indemnity Escrow
Fund means the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount, together with all dividends or distributions declared and paid thereon (and
any income or interest earned or accrued
thereon) in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. Intellectual
Property means all right, title and interest in or relating to intellectual property, whether protected, created or arising
under the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction,
including: (i) all patents and applications therefor, including all continuations, divisionals, and continuations-in-part thereof
and patents issuing thereon, along with all reissues, reexaminations and
extensions thereof; (ii) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, brand names, trade dress rights, logos,
corporate names, trade styles, logos and other source or business identifiers
and general intangibles of a like nature, together with the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing, along with all
applications, registrations, renewals and extensions thereof; (iii) all Internet
domain names; (iv) all copyrights and all mask work, database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, all
registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection
therewith, along with all reversions, extensions and renewals thereof; (iv) all trade secrets; (v) all other intellectual property
rights arising from or relating to Technology; (vi) all financial models or
analyses, proprietary formulae or strategies, ratings agency analysis; and (vii) all Contracts granting any right relating to or
under the foregoing. Investment Advisers
Act means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Investment Company
Act means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Investment Management
Services means any services (including sub-advisory services) which involve (i) the management of an investment account or
fund (or portions thereof or a group of
investment accounts or funds) of any third party for compensation, and performing activities related or incidental thereto, or (ii)
the rendering of advice with respect to the investment and
reinvestment of assets or funds (or any group of assets or funds) of any third party (including any business development
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or any
real estate investment trust) for compensation, and performing activities related or incidental thereto;
provided, that with respect to a third party that is a legal organization, Investment
Management Services shall not be deemed provided to any owner of the third party unless the services in (i) or (ii) above are
provided to such owner separate and apart from such services provided
to the third party. Knowledge of the
Buyer means the actual knowledge (without independent investigation) of any of the individuals whose names are set forth on
Section 1.1(a) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter. Knowledge of the
Company means the actual knowledge (without independent investigation) of any of the individuals whose names are set forth
on Section 1.1(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure
Letter. Law means any
statute, code, Order, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or other requirement of any Governmental Authority. Legal Proceeding
means any judicial, legislative, administrative or arbitral actions, suits, investigations, claims or other proceedings by or before
a Governmental Authority. Lien means any
lien, pledge, encumbrance, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, claim, lease, license, charge, option, adverse right, right of
first refusal, easement or transfer restriction of
any kind or nature whatsoever. Loss means any
and all judgments, liabilities, amounts paid in settlement, damages, fines, penalties, deficiencies, diminution in value, losses and
expenses (including interest, court costs, A-5
reasonable fees of attorneys, accountants and other experts or other reasonable
expenses of litigation or other proceedings or of any claim, default or assessment), but only to the extent such losses
are not covered by a payment from some third party or by insurance or otherwise recoverable from third parties; provided,
that in no event shall Losses include any lost profits, consequential,
indirect, incidental, punitive, special or other similar damages, other than any such damages awarded to any third party against an
indemnified party. Member Written
Consent means a written consent executed by Members holding a majority of the Voting Membership Interests in accordance
with the Existing Operating Agreement,
approving the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Members has the
meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Membership
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. NYSE means The
New York Stock Exchange. Order means any
judgment, order, injunction, decree, writ, doctrine, ruling, assessment or arbitration award of any Governmental Authority. Other Expenses
means all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on
behalf of any Member, in each case, in
connection with the previously contemplated repurchase by the Company of the Membership Interests held by Triarc Deerfield
Holdings, LLC. For the avoidance of doubt, Other Expenses shall not
include any costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the previously
contemplated spin-off of the Company, including the fees and expenses of
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Permitted Liens
means (i) Liens incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the financing (the CDO
Financing) of any purchase by the Company or its
Subsidiaries of any debt or equity securities of a CDO on the closing date of the related CDO transaction, Liens incurred in
connection with a CDO Financing in respect of any such debt or equity
securities and future distributions on any such debt or equity securities, and Liens incurred in connection with a CDO Financing in
respect of future management fees payable to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries for providing Investment Management Services to such CDO, (ii) Liens relating to purchase money security
interests entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iii) statutory
Liens of mechanics, materialmen, workmen, repairmen, warehousemen and carriers, (iv) Liens for Taxes (and assessments and other
governmental charges) not yet due and payable or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established on the Company Financial
Statements in accordance with GAAP, (v) all defects, exceptions,
restrictions, easements, rights of way and encumbrances disclosed in policies of title insurance that have been delivered to the
Buyer, (vi) Liens in respect of pledges or deposits under workers
compensation Laws or similar legislation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security, (vii) municipal by-laws,
facility costs, sharing and servicing contracts, and zoning, building, planning,
entitlement and other land use and environmental regulations by any Governmental Authority, (viii) minor defects or irregularities
in title that do not in the aggregate, materially affect the value or
current use of the underlying asset and (ix) restrictions on transfer or assignment, including those imposed by Federal or state
securities Laws. Person means any
individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, firm, joint venture, association,
joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, Governmental Authority or other entity. Pipeline Funds
means each of the hedge funds and collateralized debt obligations set forth in Section 1.1(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure
Letter. Preferred Membership
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. Ratings Agency
means each of Moodys, Standard & Poors or Fitch, Inc. or any other Person providing ratings to any securities issued
in connection with any CDO to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries provides Investment Management Services. A-6
SEC means the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission. Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Share Indemnity Escrow
Amount means 2,504,817 shares of Buyer Common Stock. Specified
Persons means the Sellers Representative and one or more Persons that beneficially own more than 25% of the total
voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Sellers
Representative as of the date hereof. Specified Value Per
Share means $15.051. Strategic Financing
Agreement means any side letter agreement, trust agreement, confirmation, pledge agreement, guaranty or any other agreement
and/or instrument pursuant to which the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to pay, pledge, subordinate or, in any other manner, relinquish its rights to
receive compensation (whether in the form of management fees,
incentive fees, equity dividends or otherwise) under any Advisory Contract in respect of any investment. Stockholder
Approval shall mean (a) the approval of the Stock Issuance by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast by
the holders of Buyer Common Stock at a Stockholders
Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof) and (b) the approval of the Stock Issuance by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the total votes cast by the holders of Buyer Common
Stock who are not Affiliates of the Company, the Sellers Representative or their respective Subsidiaries at a Stockholders
Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof). Subsidiary
means, with respect to any Person, a corporation or other Person of which more than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding voting
equity securities or more than 50% of the
outstanding economic equity interest is held, directly or indirectly, by such Person; provided, for the avoidance of doubt,
that no Client (including the Buyer and its Subsidiaries) shall be deemed to
be a Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Tax Returns
means any and all reports, returns, declarations, claims for refund, elections, disclosures, estimates, information reports or
returns or statements supplied or required to be supplied
to a taxing authority in connection with Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto or amendment thereof. Taxes means (i)
any and all federal, state, provincial, local, foreign and other taxes, levies, fees, imposts, duties, and similar governmental
charges (including any interest, fines, assessments,
penalties or additions to tax imposed in connection therewith or with respect thereto) including, without limitation (x) taxes
imposed on, or measured by, income, franchise, profits or gross receipts,
and (y) ad valorem, value added, capital gains, sales, goods and services, use, real or personal property, capital stock, license,
branch, payroll, estimated withholding, employment, social security (or
similar), unemployment, compensation, utility, severance, production, excise, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits,
transfer and gains taxes, and customs duties, and (ii) any liability in respect
of any items described in clause (i) above as a transferee or successor, pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 (or any
similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), or as an indemnitor,
guarantor, surety or in a similar capacity under any contract, arrangement, agreement, understanding or commitment (whether oral or
written). Technology
means, collectively, all software, information, designs, formulae, algorithms, procedures, methods, techniques, ideas, know-how,
research and development, technical data, programs,
subroutines, tools, materials, specifications, processes, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced
to practice), apparatus, creations, improvements, works of authorship
and other similar materials, and all recordings, graphs, drawings, reports, analyses, and other writings, and other tangible
embodiments of the foregoing, in any form whether or not specifically listed
herein, and all related technology, that are used in, incorporated in, embodied in, displayed by or relate to, or are used in
connection with the foregoing. A-7
Triarc Related Parties means each
of Triarc Companies, Inc. and each of its Subsidiaries (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Client of the
Company or any of its
Subsidiaries). Voting Membership
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Existing Operating Agreement. (b) The following capitalized terms
are defined in the following Sections of this Agreement:
Term
Section Acquisition
Transaction
6.19 Aggregate Cash
Consideration
3.1(a) Aggregate Merger
Consideration
3.1(a) Aggregate Share
Consideration
3.1(a) Agreement
Preamble Allocation Objection
Notice
3.5 Allocation
Schedule
3.5 Alternative Debt
Financing
6.16(a) Antitrust
Authorities
6.7(c) Articles of
Merger
2.2 Base Date
4.12 Base Date
AUM
4.12 Basket
11.4(a) Bear Stearns
Confidentiality Agreement
6.3(a) Board
Recommendation
6.9(b) Buyer
Preamble Buyer Consents and
Notices
5.7(b) Buyer Disclosure
Letter
4.29 Buyer Financial
Statements
5.5(b) Buyer Indemnified
Parties
11.2(a) Buyer SEC
Reports
5.5(a) Buyer Sub
Preamble CDO Consent
Parties
6.8(a) CDO
Financing
1.1(a) Client
Consents
4.13(b) Closing
2.3 Closing
Date
2.3 Closing Date Aggregate
Cash Consideration
3.2(a)(i) Closing Date Aggregate
Share Consideration
3.2(a)(i) Closing
Debt
3.1(a) Code of
Ethics
4.26 Company
Preamble Company Consents and
Notices
4.13(b) Company Disclosure
Letter
3.5 Company Financial
Statements
4.5 Company Indemnified
Parties
11.2(b) Confidentiality
Agreement
6.3(a) DCM
Recitals Debt Commitment
Letter
6.16(a) Director and/or Officer
Indemnified Party
6.13(b) DOJ
6.7(b) Effective
Time
2.2 Environmental
Laws
4.11 ERISA
Affiliate
1.1(a) ERISA
Client
4.12 Exchange
Agent
3.3(b)(i) Exchange
Fund
3.3(b)(i) Final Allocation
Schedule
3.5 A-8
Term
Section Financing
6.16(a) Follow-Up CDO Consent
Request Letter
6.8(b) Follow-Up Client Consent
Request Letter
6.8(b) Follow-Up Hedge Fund
Consent Request
6.8(b) FTC
6.7(b) Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests
3.3(b)(iii)(B) GAAP
4.5 Hedge Fund
Resolutions
6.8(a) ILLCA
Recitals Indemnifiable
Expenses
11.2(a)(vi) Indemnification
Claim
11.3(a) Initial CDO Consent
Request Letter
6.8(a) Initial Client Consent
Request Letter
6.8(a) Initial Hedge Fund Consent
Request
6.8(a) Investment Banking Firm
Determination
3.3(b)(iii) Management
Agreement
Recitals Material
Contracts
4.14(a) Merger
Recitals Most Recent Balance Sheet
Date
4.5 Multiemployer
Plan
1.1(a) New CDO Consent
Party
6.8(d) New Client
6.8(d) Outside
Date
10.1(b) Permits
4.9 Plan Asset
Regulation
4.12 Policies
4.24 Pre-Closing
Statement
3.1(b) Proxy
Statement
5.7(b) Real Property
Lease
4.15 Real Property
Leases
4.15 Registration Rights
Agreement
Recitals REIT
5.6 Releasee
6.14 Releasor
6.14 Representatives
6.19 Required Consents and
Notices
5.7(b) Restricted
Business
6.20(a)(i) Restricted
Period
6.20(a) Restricted
Persons
6.20(a) Sellers
Representative
Preamble Sellers
Representative Expense Fund
3.3(a)(iii) Special
Committee
Recitals Stock
Issuance
5.3 Stockholders
Meeting
5.3 Straddle
Period
11.2(a)(v) Survival
Period
11.1 Surviving
LLC
2.1 Unpaid
Expenses
3.1(b)(ii) Unresolved
Claims
11.5 WARN
4.20 A-9
ARTICLE II 2.1 The Merger. At the
Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the ILLCA, Buyer Sub shall be
merged with and into the
Company, the separate limited liability company existence of Buyer Sub shall cease and the Company shall be the surviving limited
liability company in the Merger (the Surviving LLC). As a result
of the Merger, all of the respective outstanding membership interests of the Company and Buyer Sub shall be converted or cancelled
in the manner provided in Article III. 2.2 Effective Time. As soon
as practicable on the Closing Date, articles of merger in the form reasonably agreed to by the Buyer and the Company (the
Articles of Merger) shall be duly
prepared and executed by the Company and Buyer Sub and thereafter delivered to the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois for
filing, as provided in Section 37-25 of the ILLCA. The Merger
shall become effective at the time of the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois, or
at such later time as may be agreed by the Buyer and the Company and
stated in the Articles of Merger (the date and time of such filing (or stated later time, if any) being referred to herein as the
Effective Time). 2.3 Closing. The closing of
the Merger (the Closing) shall take place at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) at the offices of Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 1285 Avenue of the
Americas, New York, New York 10019 on the third Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set
forth in Articles VII and VIII hereof (other than those conditions
that can only be satisfied on the Closing Date, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions), or at such other
time and place as may be mutually agreed to by the parties hereto. Such
time and date are referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date. 2.4 Effects of the Merger.
At the Effective Time, the effects of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Articles of Merger and in the
applicable provisions of the ILLCA. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Buyer Sub shall vest in
the Surviving LLC, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Buyer Sub
shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and
duties of the Surviving LLC. 2.5 Organizational Instruments.
The articles of organization of Buyer Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, from and after the
Effective Time, the articles of organization
of the Surviving LLC until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by the ILLCA. The limited liability company
agreement of Buyer Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be, from and after the Effective Time, the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving LLC until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein or by the ILLCA. 2.6 Directors and Officers.
Each of the parties hereto shall take all necessary action to cause the directors of Buyer Sub immediately prior to the Effective
Time to be the directors of the
Surviving LLC immediately following the Effective Time, until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with
the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving LLC. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the officers of the Surviving LLC until their respective
successors are duly appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the limited liability
company agreement of the Surviving LLC. 2.7 Buyer Board Designation
Rights. The Buyer shall, subject to compliance with the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of the Buyer and applicable
Law, take such actions as are
necessary and appropriate to nominate one individual designated by the holders of a majority of the shares of Buyer Common Stock
held by the Specified Persons for election to serve as a Class I
director on the Board of Directors of the Buyer in connection with the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders of the Buyer. 2.8 Further Assurances. Each
party hereto shall execute such further documents and instruments and take such further actions as may reasonably be requested by one
or more of the others to A-10
THE MERGER
consummate the Merger, to vest the Surviving LLC with full title or interest
in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties or assets of Buyer Sub or the Company, as
applicable, or to otherwise effect the purposes of this Agreement. ARTICLE III 3.1 Calculation of Aggregate
Merger Consideration. (a) As used herein,
Aggregate Merger Consideration means an amount equal to (i) 9,635,192 shares of Buyer Common Stock (the
Aggregate Share Consideration) and (ii) an amount in cash
(the Aggregate Cash Consideration) equal to the sum of $145,000,000 minus the principal amount of Debt
outstanding (together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon) as of the close of
business on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, as reflected in the Pre-Closing Statement (Closing
Debt). (b) No later than one Business Day
prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Buyer a statement (the Pre-Closing
Statement) setting forth in
reasonable detail the following: (i) the amount of the Closing
Debt which, in the case of the Closing Pay-Off Debt, shall be as reflected in the customary pay-off letters received by the Company
from the lender under such
Closing Pay-Off Debt related to the payment in full of such Closing Pay-Off Debt at the Closing; (ii) the amount of the Company
Expenses and Other Expenses, in each case to the extent they remain unpaid as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date
immediately prior to the
Closing Date (the Unpaid Expenses); and (iii) the calculation of the
Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration. 3.2 Effect on Membership
Interests. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any membership
interest of the Company or Buyer Sub: (a) the Membership Interests issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive in the aggregate the
following: (i) (A) a number of shares of
Buyer Common Stock equal to the Aggregate Share Consideration (subject to the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares as
provided in Section 3.3(b)(iv))
minus the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount (such number, the Closing Date Aggregate Share Consideration) and (B) an
amount of cash equal to the Estimated Aggregate Cash Consideration,
minus the Unpaid Expenses that are Company Expenses, minus the Sellers Representative Expense Fund (such amount, the
Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration) (and the amount
calculated in accordance with this clause (i) shall be allocated among the Members that hold such Membership Interests in
accordance with Section 3.3(b)(iii)); plus (ii) the amount of cash, if
any, payable to the holders of such Membership Interests pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(iii) (and the amount calculated in accordance
with this clause (ii) shall be
allocated among the Members that hold such Membership Interests in accordance with Section 3.3(a)(iii)); plus (iii) the amount of cash and
the number of shares of Buyer Common Stock, if any, payable or issuable (as applicable) to the holders of such Membership Interests
pursuant to the Escrow
Agreement (and the amount and number calculated in accordance with this clause (iii) shall be allocated among the Members that hold
such Membership Interests in accordance with Section
11.5). (b) the membership interests of
Buyer Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into a corresponding amount of membership
interests of the
Surviving LLC; A-11
CONVERSION OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS AND
MERGER C
ONSIDERATION
(c) all Membership Interests shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and the Members shall cease to have any rights
with respect
thereto, except the right to receive the cash payments and shares of Buyer Common Stock set forth in this Section 3.2;
and (d) the membership interest
transfer books of the Company will be closed and thereafter there will be no further registration of transfers on the membership
interest transfer books of the
Surviving LLC of any membership interests of the Company. 3.3 Closing Payments; Exchange
of Membership Interests. (a) Closing Payments. At the
Closing, in addition to the deposits required to be made by the Buyer pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(i), the Buyer shall pay, or cause to
be paid, cash in the following
amounts and to the following Persons, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated in writing by
the Person receiving such payment at least two Business Days prior
to the Closing Date: (i) an amount equal to the
Closing Pay-Off Debt, on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to the holders of the Closing Pay-Off Debt; (ii) an amount equal to the
Unpaid Expenses that are Company Expenses to the Persons entitled to be paid such expenses; and (iii) an amount equal to
$250,000 (the Sellers Representative Expense Fund) to the Sellers Representative to fund the fees,
costs and expenses incurred after the Effective Time by or at
the direction of the Sellers Representative for the benefit of the Members under this Agreement and, to the extent any
portion of the Sellers Representative Expense Fund remains after
payment in full of any amounts owed under Section 3.4, disbursed at such time to each Member that held issued and outstanding
Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective
Time in accordance with such Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interests. (b) Exchange of Membership
Interests. (i) Exchange Agent. At the
Effective Time, the Buyer shall (x) deposit with the Escrow Agent a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock equal to the Share
Indemnity Escrow Amount
and (y) deposit with its transfer agent for its shares of Buyer Common Stock, or with such other bank or trust company mutually
agreed by the Buyer and the Sellers Representative prior to the
Effective Time (the Exchange Agent), for the benefit of the holders of Membership Interests issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and for exchange in accordance
with this Article III, (A) certificates representing the Closing Date Aggregate Share Consideration issuable pursuant to Sections
3.2(a)(i) and 3.3(b)(iii) and (B) immediately available funds in an
amount equal to the Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration (such certificates and funds being hereinafter referred to as the
Exchange Fund) in exchange for such Membership Interests. (ii) Letter of Transmittal.
Promptly (and in any event no later than two Business Days) after the Effective Time, the Buyer shall cause the Exchange Agent to
deliver to each Member that
held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time a letter of transmittal in customary
form, specifying (i) that delivery shall be effected, and title
thereto shall pass, only upon returning such letter of transmittal duly executed by such Member to the Exchange Agent and (ii) that
by signing such letter of transmittal, such Member (x) agrees
to and confirms acknowledgment of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Escrow Agreement, including such Members
obligations (if any) under Sections 3.5, 6.4(b) and 6.10(b)
and Article IX, and the rights of the Sellers Representative under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement, (y) certifies that such Member is not a foreign
person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code and (z) represents and warrants that such Member qualifies as an
accredited investor, as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act. (iii) Payments In Respect Of
Membership Interests. Upon execution and delivery to the Exchange Agent of the duly executed letter of transmittal, the Buyer shall
cause the Exchange Agent
to deliver promptly (and in any event no later than two Business Days) to each Member A-12
that held issued and outstanding Membership
Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time the portion of the certificates representing the Closing Date Aggregate Share
Consideration
and the Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration allocable to each such Member determined as follows: (A) first, deliver pro rata
to each such Member that held issued and outstanding Class A-1 Interests, Class A-2 Interests or Class B Interests as of immediately
prior to the Effective
Time a portion of the shares of Buyer Common Stock included in the Closing Date Aggregate Share Consideration and a portion of the
Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration based
on the percentages set forth next to each such Members name under the heading Initial Percentage Interests in
Section 4.4(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter until the aggregate value
of the shares of Buyer Common Stock (based upon the Specified Value Per Share) and cash so delivered equals the amount set forth in
Section 3.3(b)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Letter;
and (B) second, deliver the
remaining amount of the Closing Date Aggregate Share Consideration and the Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration, pro rata to
each Member that held
issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, based on the percentages set forth next
to each such Members name under the heading Fully
Diluted Percentage Interests in Section 4.4(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests); provided that Members shall receive payments of cash
in lieu of fractional shares as provided in Section 3.3(b)(iv); provided, further, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the
Company becomes
obligated under the Existing Operating Agreement to have the allocation of the payment of the Closing Date Aggregate Share
Consideration and Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration to the
Members be determined by the Investment Banking Firm (as defined in the Existing Operating Agreement) selected in accordance with
the Selection Procedures (as defined in the Existing Operating
Agreement), such allocation and the payments to be made to the Members under this Section 3.3(b)(iii) shall instead be made as
determined by such Investment Banking Firm (the Investment
Banking Firm Determination). (iv) Fractional Shares. Each
holder of Membership Interests issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time who would otherwise have been entitled
to receive a fraction of a
share of Buyer Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(i) shall receive from the Exchange Agent, in accordance with the
provisions of this Article III, a cash payment in lieu of such
fractional share interest based upon the Specified Value Per Share. The Buyer shall pay to the Exchange Agent simultaneously with
the payment made pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(i) an amount in
cash sufficient for the Exchange Agent to pay each holder of Membership Interests issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time an amount in cash equal to the product
obtained by multiplying (A) the fraction of a share of Buyer Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(i) to which such
holder would otherwise have been entitled by (B) the Specified
Value Per Share. (v) Investment of Exchange
Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest the cash portion of the Exchange Fund as directed by the Buyer in one or more Permitted
Investments (as defined in the
agreement to be entered into among the Buyer, the Company and the Exchange Agent prior to the Closing Date). Any interest and other
income resulting from such investment shall become a
part of the Exchange Fund, and any amounts in excess of the amounts payable under Section 3.2(a)(i) shall be paid promptly to the
Buyer. (vi) Termination of Exchange
Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the holders of Membership Interests issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the
Effective Time 180 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered by the Exchange Agent to the Buyer upon demand. Any holder of
Membership Interests issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time who has not complied with this Article III shall look thereafter only to the Buyer for payment or
issuance of the portion of the certificates representing the number of
shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(i) and the amount of cash payable pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(i)
allocable to such holder. A-13
3.4 Member Written Consent. Immediately after
the execution of this Agreement, the Member Written Consent shall be executed and delivered by Members holding a majority of the
Voting
Membership Interests and a copy thereof shall be delivered to the Company and the Buyer. 3.5 Allocation of Aggregate
Merger Consideration. The Aggregate Merger Consideration, as adjusted, plus the amount of any liabilities of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for Tax purposes as of
the Effective Time shall be allocated consistent with past practice among the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including
the Management Agreement) as reasonably proposed by the Sellers
Representative in good faith and shall be set forth in a schedule produced by the Sellers Representative and delivered to the
Buyer within seventy-five (75) days following the Closing Date (the
Allocation Schedule). The Buyer shall have an opportunity to review the proposed Allocation Schedule for a
period of 20 days after receipt of the proposed Allocation Schedule. If the Buyer
disagrees with any aspect of the proposed Allocation Schedule, the Buyer shall notify the Sellers Representative, in writing,
prior to the end of such 20-day period (an Allocation Objection
Notice), setting forth the Buyers proposed Allocation Schedule and specifying, in reasonable detail, any good faith
dispute as to the Sellers Representatives Allocation Schedule. If prior to the
conclusion of such 20-day period, the Buyer notifies the Sellers Representative in writing that it will not provide any
Allocation Objection Notice or if the Buyer does not deliver an Allocation
Objection Notice within such 20-day period, then the proposed Allocation Schedule shall be deemed final and conclusive and binding
upon each of the parties hereto (a Final Allocation Schedule).
The Sellers Representative and the Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any objection by the Buyer to
the proposed Allocation Schedule and to agree upon a Final Allocation
Schedule. If within 10 days after the Sellers Representative receives an Allocation Objection Notice the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative have not resolved all objections and agreed upon a
Final Allocation Schedule, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative shall engage a mutually acceptable independent accounting
firm of national recognition (the Independent Accounting Firm) to
determine whether the Sellers Representatives position with respect to any remaining disputed items, as set forth in
the proposed Allocation Schedule, are reasonable. Any disputed items that are so
determined by the Independent Accounting Firm to be reasonable shall be included in the Final Allocation Schedule as proposed by
the Sellers Representative. Any disputed items that are so
determined by the Independent Accounting Firm not to be reasonable shall be adjusted by the Independent Accounting Firm to be
reasonable, and such adjusted amounts shall be included in the
Final Allocation Schedule. The Buyer and the Sellers Representative shall have the opportunity to present their position with
respect to any disputed items to the Independent Accounting Firm and
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Independent Accounting Firm, within 20 days after its selection, to make the
above-described determinations and to prepare a Final Allocation
Schedule in accordance therewith. Unless the Buyer and the Sellers Representative otherwise agree, such Final Allocation
Schedule shall not modify items previously agreed. The fees and
disbursements of the Independent Accounting Firm shall be shared equally by the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Members that held
issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately
prior to the Effective Time (pro rata in proportion to the respective amounts paid to such Members pursuant to Section 3.2(a)), on
the other hand; provided, however, that the Buyer may (but shall
not be obligated to) elect, at any time, to withdraw all (but not less than all) of the aggregate amount of such fees and
disbursements allocable to such Members from the Indemnity Escrow Fund in
accordance with the Escrow Agreement. The parties shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, use the allocations set
forth in the Final Allocation Schedule for all Tax purposes, file all Tax
Returns in a manner consistent with such Final Allocation Schedule and take no position contrary thereto, in each case, unless
required to do so by a change in applicable Tax Laws or a good faith
resolution of a Tax contest. ARTICLE IV Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Letter which is being delivered to the Buyer concurrently herewith (the Company Disclosure Letter), the
Company represents and warrants to the Buyer
and Buyer Sub as follows: A-14
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
4.1 Due Organization; Qualification. (a) The Company is a limited
liability company duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois and has all
requisite limited liability company
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. (b) The copies of the certificate
of formation of the Company and the Existing Operating Agreement that previously have been made available to the Buyer are true and
correct copies of such
documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement. (c) The Company and each of its
Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where the Company or such
Subsidiary, as applicable,
currently conducts business that requires such qualification or licensing, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed
would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. 4.2 Subsidiaries;
Investments. (a) Section 4.2(a) of the Company
Disclosure Letter hereto sets forth the name and jurisdiction of organization of each Subsidiary of the Company. Each of the
Companys Subsidiaries is an
entity duly organized, validly existing and (to the extent the concept of good standing exists in the applicable jurisdiction) in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization. Each of
the Companys Subsidiaries has all requisite corporate or other similar organizational power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.
The copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws and similar governing documents of each of the Companys Subsidiaries that
previously have been made available to the Buyer are true and correct
copies of such documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement. (b) Other than any interests in the
Companys Subsidiaries, except as set forth in Section 4.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries owns any
capital stock or other equity interests in any Person. 4.3 Authorization;
Enforceability; Voting Requirements. (a) The Company has all requisite
limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document and to
perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document and
the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder
and thereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite limited liability company action of the Company other than the adoption
of this Agreement by the requisite vote of the Members (which
shall be obtained pursuant to the Member Written Consent immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement).
Except as provided for in the preceding sentence, no other limited
liability company action on the part of the Company is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement and each applicable Ancillary
Document has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company and, assuming this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
other parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws, laws of
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles. (b) The affirmative vote of the
Members pursuant to the Member Written Consent is the only vote or approval of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of
the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries which is necessary to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger. 4.4
Capitalization. (a) Section 4.4(a) of the Company
Disclosure Letter sets forth a list as of the date hereof of the authorized, issued and outstanding Class A-1 Interests, Class A-2
Interests, Class B Interests and
Class C Profits Only Interests and each registered holder thereof. All of such authorized, issued and outstanding Membership
Interests are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and non- A-15
assessable. No other class or series of Membership Interests or other equity
interests in the Company is authorized, issued or outstanding, except for the Preferred Membership Interests (of which
none is issued or outstanding). Except as provided in the Existing Operating Agreement or in any grant agreement related to the
Class C Profits Only Interests or as may be required in connection
with a CDO Financing, there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements
or undertakings of any kind to which the Company is a party or by
which the Company is bound, obligating the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
Membership Interests or other ownership interests of the Company
or obligating the Company to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
agreement, arrangement or undertaking. Except as provided in the Existing
Operating Agreement or in any grant agreement related to the Class C Profits Only Interests or as may be required in connection
with a CDO Financing, there are no outstanding contractual
obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Membership Interests or other ownership interests in the
Company or make any material investment (in the form of a
loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person. (b) The Companys Subsidiaries
are as set forth in Section 4.4(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of or other
equity interests in each of the
Companys Subsidiaries are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All shares of capital stock of or
other equity interests in each Subsidiary of the Company are owned by
the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens. 4.5 Financial Statements; Cash
on Hand. The Company has previously made available to the Buyer copies of audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2006 (the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date) and December 31, 2005 and the related audited
consolidated statements of operations, members equity and cash flows of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, together with all
related notes and schedules thereto, accompanied by the
corresponding audit reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors of the Company (collectively, the Company
Financial Statements). The Company Financial Statements fairly present in
all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof,
and the consolidated results of the operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods covered thereby, in each case in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) consistently applied during the periods
involved, except as indicated in any notes thereto (and except in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence
of footnotes otherwise required by GAAP and subject to year-end
audit adjustments). As of the date hereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries have cash and cash equivalents of at least $5,997,000
in the aggregate. 4.6 No Material Adverse Change;
Ordinary Course. Since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date, (a) except as set forth in Section 4.6(a) of the Company Disclosure
Letter, each of the Company
and its Subsidiaries has conducted its business only in the ordinary course and consistently with past practice (except for actions
taken in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Ancillary Documents) and (b) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has suffered any event, change,
occurrence or circumstance in the financial condition, business,
results of operations, properties or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate with
any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances, has had or
would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any kind (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise), except for any
such liabilities or obligations (a) reflected or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements, (b) set forth in Section 4.7
of the Company Disclosure Letter, (c) incurred in the ordinary course
of business since the Most Recent Balance Sheet Date or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Ancillary Documents, (d) that are the subject of any other
representation or warranty contained in this Article IV and are disclosed pursuant to such other representation or warranty or are
not required to be disclosed because such other A-16
representation or warranty is limited or qualified with respect to time, dollar
amount, Knowledge of the Company, materiality, Company Material Adverse Effect or any similar qualification or (e)
that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. 4.8 Compliance with Laws.
The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws applicable to their respective
operations or assets. Except as set forth in
Section 4.8 of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice from
a Governmental Authority of the material violation of any Laws.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Order or Law which violations would have a Company Material
Adverse Effect; provided, however, that nothing in this Section
4.8 is intended to address any compliance issues that are the subject of any other representation or warranty contained in this
Article IV and are disclosed pursuant to such other representation or
warranty or are not required to be disclosed because such other representation or warranty is limited or qualified with respect to
time, dollar amount, Knowledge of the Company, materiality,
Company Material Adverse Effect or any similar qualification. 4.9 Permits. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has all licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations of any Governmental Authorities (collectively,
Permits) as are necessary for the
lawful conduct of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, except where the failure to have such Permits would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 4.9 is intended to address any permit issues that are the subject of any other representation or warranty
contained in this Article IV and are disclosed pursuant to such other
representation or warranty or are not required to be disclosed because such other representation or warranty is limited or
qualified with respect to time, dollar amount, Knowledge of the Company,
materiality, Company Material Adverse Effect or any similar qualification. 4.10 Regulatory Compliance.
DCM is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act and is in material compliance with its
obligations under the Investment Advisers
Act. The Company has made available to the Buyer true and complete copies of DCMs most recent Form ADV (in the case of ADV
Part II, either the brochure in lieu of Part II pursuant to
Investment Advisers Act rule 204-3 or the form version of Part II), as amended to the date of this Agreement. DCM has made all
material amendments to its Form ADV (or brochure, as applicable)
as it is required to make prior to the date of this Agreement under the Investment Advisers Act. DCM is duly registered as a
commodity trading adviser and a commodity pool operator under the
Commodity Exchange Act. The Company has made available to the Buyer true and complete copies of all material documents related to
such registrations. DCM is not a broker or dealer within
the meaning of the Exchange Act. 4.11 Environmental Compliance.
Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Laws relating to pollution or protection of the
environment (collectively,
Environmental Laws), except as would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no material Orders
outstanding, or any actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations pending or, to
the Knowledge of the Company, threatened relating to the compliance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with, or the
liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, any
Environmental Law, except for any such Orders that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect. 4.12 Clients. (a) The aggregate assets under
management by DCM, (x) for each Client other than a Client that is a CDO, as of the most recent practicable date prior to the date
hereof as calculated by DCM
consistent with past practice, (y) for each Client that is a CDO (other than any CDO for which no trustee report is available prior
to the date hereof), as of the date set forth in the most recently
available trustee report for such CDO prior to the date hereof and (z) for each Client that is a CDO for which no trustee report is
available prior to the date hereof, as of the date on which the
closing occurs for such Client (each applicable date in (x), (y) and (z) above with respect to such Client, the Base
Date) are accurately set forth in Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter
(the Base Date Aum). Set forth in Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter is a A-17
list as of the date hereof of all Advisory Contracts and Strategic Financing
Agreements, setting forth with respect to each such Advisory Contract and Strategic Financing Agreement, as applicable: (i) the name of each Client to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides Investment Management Services (except to the extent that the disclosure of any
such name is restricted
by a confidentiality agreement), indicating (A) any such Client that is the Company, its Subsidiaries, a holder of Membership
Interests or an Affiliate of the Company or a holder of Membership
Interests, and (B) in the case of any Client that is a pooled investment vehicle, any of the foregoing Persons described in clause
(A) that had an investment in such Client as of the Base Date
(indicating the amount of such investment); (ii) the amount of assets under
management pursuant to such Advisory Contract at the Base Date, and the nature of the Investment Management Services provided (i.e.,
discretionary or
non-discretionary); (iii) with respect to each
Client that is a Hedge Fund, the amount of each investors investment in such Hedge Fund as of the Base Date (without revealing
the identity of such investor); (iv) the fee schedule in effect
with respect to such Advisory Contract (including identification of any applicable sub-components of such fees, e.g., investment
management fees, performance
fees, fees for any other fiduciary services, etc., as applicable), and a description of any fees payable by the underlying Client
in connection with Investment Management Services (or other
services) provided by the Company or any of its other Subsidiaries other than pursuant to such Advisory Contract; (v) as of the applicable date
specified in this Section 4.12(a)(v) and not as of the date hereof, (x) for each Client other than a Client that is a CDO, as of the
most recent practicable date
prior to the Closing Date as calculated by DCM consistent with past practice, (y) for each Client that is a CDO (other than any CDO
for which no trustee report is available prior to the Closing
Date), as of the date set forth in the most recently available trustee report for such CDO prior to the Closing Date and (z) for
each Client that is a CDO for which no trustee report is available
prior to the Closing Date, as of the date on which the closing occurs for such Client (it being understood that the Company shall
be permitted to provide the Buyer with a supplement to Section
4.12(a)(v) of the Company Disclosure Letter solely for purposes of making the representation and warranty specified in this Section
4.12(a)(v) as of the applicable dates specified in this Section
4.12(a)(v)), (A) a description of any material fee changes (including any caps, waivers, offsets or reimbursements) under such
Advisory Contract or Strategic Financing Agreement and (B) a
description of any material changes in the amount of assets in any Clients account as a result of deposits (including
reinvestments of dividends and distributions) or withdrawals, or redemptions
or repayments, made by such Client or, based solely on the contents of the most recently available trustee report prior to the
Closing Date, defaults (as defined under the applicable indentures
relating to the assets) in assets owned by such Client that is a CDO, in each case from the Base Date to (x) for each Client other
than a Client that is a CDO, as of the most recent practicable
date prior to the Closing Date as calculated by DCM consistent with past practice, (y) for each Client that is a CDO (other than
any CDO for which no trustee report is available prior to the
Closing Date), as of the date set forth in the most recently available trustee report for such CDO prior to the Closing Date and
(z) for each Client that is a CDO for which no trustee report is
available prior to the Closing Date, as of the date on which the closing occurs for such Client, and a description of any such
changes as of such date (it being understood and agreed that, solely
for purposes of this clause (v), net deposits or withdrawals, or redemptions or repayments, with respect to any one Client account
or defaults (as defined under the applicable indentures relating
to the assets) in assets owned by such Client in the aggregate in excess of $5,000,000 shall be deemed material); and (vi) the manner of consent
required for the assignment (or deemed assignment) under applicable Law, including the Investment Advisers Act and
relevant state law, by the Company or its
Subsidiaries, as applicable, of such Advisory Contract in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Ancillary Documents, for those Advisory Contracts A-18
which will be assigned (or deemed assigned) in
connection with such transactions (which contracts are so identified), in each case so that any such consent or approval (as
applicable) will be duly
and validly obtained in accordance with all applicable Law and the terms of any contracts, agreements and other instruments
relating thereto. (b) Except as set forth in Section
4.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter and expressly described thereon, as of the date hereof, there are no Contracts pursuant to
which either the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries has undertaken or agreed to cap, waive, offset, reimburse or otherwise reduce any or all fees or charges
payable by or with respect to any of the Clients set forth in Section
4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter or pursuant to any of the contracts set forth in Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure
Letter (it being understood that the Company shall be permitted
to provide the Buyer with a supplement to Section 4.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter to reflect any such understanding or
agreement after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date
entered into in compliance with this Agreement). As of the date hereof, except as set forth in Section 4.12(b) of the Company
Disclosure Letter, (i) since the date that is one year prior to the date
hereof, (x) no Client of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, in the case of any Clients that are pooled investment vehicles
(other than any CDOs), underlying investors therein, as applicable)
has stated in writing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries an intention to terminate or reduce its investment relationship
with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or make an adjustment to
the fee schedule with respect to any contract in a manner which would reduce the fees to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including after giving effect to the Closing) in connection with such
Client relationship, and (y) no investor in any CDO has stated in writing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries an intention to
cause, either individually or collectively with others, an optional
redemption of any securities issued by such CDO, and (ii) (x) no Client of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or, in the case
of any Clients that are pooled investment vehicles (other than any
CDOs), underlying investors therein, as applicable) has stated in writing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries such an
intention described in clause (i)(x) of this Section 4.12(b) prior to the date
that is one year prior to the date hereof that is expected to become effective on or prior to the date that is one year after the
date hereof, and (y) no investor in any CDO has stated in writing to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries an intention to cause, either individually or collectively with others, an optional
redemption of any securities issued by such CDO. (c) Section 4.12(c) of the Company
Disclosure Letter identifies, with an appropriate footnote, each Client to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries provides
Investment Management
Services that is, to the Knowledge of the Company, (i) an employee benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, that is
subject to Title I of ERISA; (ii) a person acting on behalf of such a
plan; or (iii) an entity whose assets include the assets of such a plan, within the meaning of ERISA and applicable regulations
(hereinafter referred to as an ERISA Client). To the Knowledge of
the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and the
regulations promulgated under either ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code in connection with the provision of Investment Management Services to any ERISA Client. The assets of any partnership,
trust, or investment fund managed by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the general partner or managing member, that are not intended
to constitute plan assets under 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101 (the Plan
Asset Regulation) are, to the Knowledge of the Company, not reasonably likely to be determined to be plan
assets for purposes of the Plan Asset Regulation. (d) To the Knowledge of the
Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries provides Investment Management Services to (i) any issuer or other Person
that is required to be
registered as an investment company (within the meaning of the Investment Company Act) under the Investment Company Act, or (ii)
any issuer or other Person that is or is required to be
registered under the laws of the appropriate securities regulatory authority in the jurisdiction in which the issuer is domiciled,
which is or holds itself out as engaged primarily in the business of
investing, reinvesting or trading in securities. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to be registered as an
investment company (within the meaning of the Investment Company
Act) under the Investment Company Act. A-19
(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.12(e) of the
Company Disclosure Letter, no exemptive orders, no-action letters or similar exemptions or regulatory relief have been
obtained, nor are any
requests pending therefor, by or with respect to either of the Company or its Subsidiaries, any holder of Membership Interests or
any employee of any such Person in connection with the business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, or to the Knowledge of the Company, by any Client of the Company and its Subsidiaries in
connection with the provision of Investment Management Services to
such Client by the Company and its Subsidiaries. (f) Section 4.12(f) of the Company
Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of (i) the Hedge Fund Documents (it being understood that the Company
shall be permitted to
provide the Buyer with a supplement to Section 4.12(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter to reflect the entering into, or amendment,
supplement or other modification of, any Hedge Fund Document
after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date in compliance with this Agreement) and (ii) the CDO Documents (it being
understood that the Company shall be permitted to provide the Buyer
with a supplement to Section 4.12(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter to reflect the entering into, or amendment, supplement or
other modification of, any CDO Document after the date hereof and
prior to the Closing Date in compliance with this Agreement). The Company provided the Buyer with true and correct copies of all
CDO Documents and Hedge Fund Documents as of the date
hereof (and as of the Closing will have provided true and correct copies of any CDO Documents and/or Hedge Fund Documents entered
into after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date in
compliance with this Agreement), and the offering circulars or memoranda included in such CDO Documents and Hedge Fund Documents
did not at the time such CDO or Hedge Fund issued any
securities related to such CDO Documents and Hedge Fund Documents contain any untrue statement of a material fact concerning the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or omit to state a material
fact concerning the Company or any of its Subsidiaries necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Each of the CDO Documents and the Hedge Fund Documents to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party, to the extent
applicable, is in full force and effect and binding upon the Company
or its Subsidiary party thereto and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, except as (i) limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
conveyance and other similar laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally and (ii) the
availability of the remedy of specific performance or injunctive or other forms
of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and would be subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding therefor may be brought. None of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is in material default under any CDO Document or Hedge Fund Document to which it is a party, nor, to the Knowledge of
the Company, has any event occurred which, with the giving
of notice or the passage of time, or both, would give rise to such a material default. Except as set forth in Section 4.12(f) of
the Company Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of the Company, each
of the CDOs was in compliance as of the Base Date with each of its overcollateralization tests and interest coverage
tests. (g) Each of the Client Consents
obtained in accordance with Section 6.8 (including each of the Consents included in the determination of whether the condition
contained in Section 7.9 has been
satisfied) will, as of the Closing Date, have been duly obtained under all applicable Law and the requirements of the applicable
Advisory Contract. (h) Nothing in this Section 4.12
(other than the calculation of the Base Date AUM) is intended to address any matters with respect to the Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries. 4.13 Non-Contravention; Consents
and Approvals. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document, the
consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and the performance by the Company of this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document in
accordance with its terms will not: (a) except as set forth in Section
4.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, violate the Existing Operating Agreement or any comparable organizational instruments of
any of the Companys
Subsidiaries; A-20
(b) require the Company to obtain any consents,
approvals, authorizations or actions of, or make any filings with or give any notices to, any Governmental Authorities or any other
Person,
except for (i) the notification requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State
of the State of Illinois, (iii) as set forth in Section 4.13(b) of the
Company Disclosure Letter (the Company Consents and Notices), (iv) as contemplated by Section 6.8 (the
Client Consents) or (v) any such consents, approvals, authorizations or actions of, or
filings with or notices to any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) the failure to obtain or make which would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect; (c) assuming all of the Client
Consents and the Company Consents and Notices are obtained or made, violate or result in the breach of any of the material terms and
conditions of, cause the
termination of or give any other contracting party the right to terminate, or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time, or both,
constitute) a default under, or result in the acceleration of any
monetary liabilities under, any Material Contract or material Permit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or
by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound, or
result in the creation of any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any Material Contract or
material Permit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets
are bound, except for any such violations, breaches, terminations,
defaults, accelerations or creations under any Material Contracts that would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
or (d) assuming all of the Client
Consents and the Company Consents and Notices are obtained or made, violate or result in the breach of any applicable Orders or Laws
of any Governmental
Authorities. 4.14 Contracts. (a) Section 4.14 of the Company
Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all of the following Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or
is bound by and that remain in
effect as of the date hereof (collectively, the Material Contracts): (i) any Advisory Contract or
Strategic Financing Agreement; (ii) any Contract relating to
(x) the engagement of any financial institution (other than with any rating agency, trustee or routine service provider) in respect
of engagements not yet
completed or (y) the warehousing of securities, in each case, in connection with the formation or offering of any securities of any
CDO the closing of which has not yet occurred under which it is
reasonably likely that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any continuing material obligations; (iii) any Contract for the
purchase of any data, assets, material or equipment, other than any such Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business or
in an amount not exceeding
$250,000 annually; (iv) any other Contract under
which the Company and its Subsidiaries have paid or are required to pay in excess of $250,000 annually; (v) any Contract for the sale
of all or any material assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business; (vi) any Contract relating to
the acquisition (by merger, purchase of stock or assets or otherwise) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any operating
business or material assets or
the capital stock or other equity interests of any other Person; (vii) any partnership,
strategic alliance, sharing of profits or joint venture agreements or other similar Contracts; (viii) any Contracts containing
covenants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not to compete in any line of business or with any Person in any geographical
area or covenants of any
other Person not to compete with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any line of business or in any geographical
area; (ix) any Contract relating to
Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; A-21
(x) any Contracts, excluding any
Benefit Plan, with any (A) current officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any
former officer, director,
stockholder or Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any
material continuing obligations thereunder; (xi) any Contracts with any
labor union or association representing any Employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (xii) any Contracts imposing a
Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (xiii) any Contracts, excluding
any Benefit Plan, under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has made advances or loans to any other Person; (xiv) any outstanding Contracts
of guaranty, direct or indirect, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be
required to pay in
excess of $250,000; or (xv) any Contracts with any
investment or research consultant, solicitor or sales agent, or otherwise with respect to the referral of business to either of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(including any agreement with respect to solicitation of prospective investors in any CDOs or Hedge Funds). (b) Except as would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect or as disclosed in Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) each Material Contract,
assuming such Material
Contract has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other parties thereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the
Company, enforceable against the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws, laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity
principles and (ii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has received
written notice of any uncured or unwaived material default by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries. (c) Nothing in this Section 4.14 is
intended to address any matters with respect to the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries. 4.15 Property. (a) Neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries owns any real property. Section 4.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all real property and
interests in real property
leased by the Company and the Subsidiaries (individually, a Real Property Lease and collectively, the
Real Property Leases) as lessee or lessor, including a description of each such Real Property
Lease (including the name of the third party lessor or lessee and the date of the lease or sublease and all amendments thereto).
Except as set forth in Section 4.15(a) of the Company Disclosure
Letter, the Real Property Leases constitute all interests in real property currently used, occupied or currently held for use in
connection with the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries and
which are necessary for the continued operation of the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as the business is currently
conducted. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries, as applicable,
has a valid, binding and enforceable leasehold interest under each of the Real Property Leases under which it is a lessee, free and
clear of all Liens other than Permitted Exceptions. Each of the
Real Property Leases is in full force and effect. Except as would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect or as disclosed in
Section 4.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) each Real
Property Lease, assuming such Real Property Lease has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other parties thereto,
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company
or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company, enforceable against the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws, laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights
and to general equity principles and (ii) neither the Company nor any of the
Subsidiaries has received written notice of any uncured or unwaived material default by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries. The
Company has delivered to A-22
Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of the Real Property Leases,
together with all amendments, modifications or supplements thereto. (b) The Company and the
Subsidiaries have good title to all of the material items of tangible personal property used in the business of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, free and clear of any
and all Liens, except (i) as set forth in Section 4.15(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter and (ii) Permitted Liens; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 4.15 is intended to address any
intellectual property matters, which are the subject of Section 4.16. All such items of tangible personal property which,
individually or in the aggregate, are material to the operation of the business of
the Company and the Subsidiaries are in good condition and in a state of good maintenance and repair (ordinary wear and tear
excepted) and are suitable for the purposes used. 4.16 Intellectual
Property. (a) Section 4.16(a) of the Company
Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all (i) registrations for material Intellectual Property, (ii) applications
to register material Intellectual
Property and (iii) material unregistered trademarks or service marks, in each case owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
Except as listed in Section 4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure
Letter, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title
and interest in and to such Intellectual Property listed in Section
4.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. (b) Except as set forth in Section
4.16(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns or has the right to use all material
Intellectual Property to the extent
necessary to conduct the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted. (c) No actions, suits or
proceedings are pending nor to the Knowledge of the Company, is any claim threatened in writing against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries that challenges the
Companys or any such Subsidiarys ownership or right to use any material Intellectual Property that is necessary to
conduct the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted. (d) To the Knowledge of the
Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are infringing any material intellectual property rights of any third
party. 4.17 Litigation. As of the
date of this Agreement, there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, against
the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, except for any such Legal Proceedings set forth in Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter or that are not
material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of
the Closing Date, there will be no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for any such Legal
Proceedings set forth in Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter or that could not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to or in breach or violation of any Orders, except for any Orders set
forth in Section 4.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter or that could
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Nothing in this Section
4.17 is intended to address any Legal Proceedings or Orders that are
the subject of any other representation or warranty contained in this Article IV and are disclosed pursuant to such other
representation or warranty or are not required to be disclosed because such
other representation or warranty is limited or qualified with respect to time, dollar amount, Knowledge of the Company,
materiality, Company Material Adverse Effect or any similar qualification. 4.18 Taxes. The Company and
each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed, or caused to be timely filed, all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, all
such Tax Returns are correct and
complete in all material respects, and all material Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are due have been timely and
fully paid. Except as set forth in Section 4.18 of the Company
Disclosure Letter, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal, state and local
income Tax purposes. There is no claim or assessment for any alleged
deficiency or audit or other proceeding pending, or threatened in writing, with respect to Taxes of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all A-23
material respects with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and
withholding of Taxes, and have duly and timely withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority all material amounts
required to be so withheld and paid under all applicable Laws. No claim has ever been made in writing by any taxing authority in a
jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have
not filed Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no Liens for material Taxes on any
of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than
Permitted Liens. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries) pursuant to any indemnification,
allocation or sharing agreement with respect to Taxes that could give rise to a material payment or indemnification obligation
(other than agreements among the Company and its Subsidiaries and
other than customary Tax indemnifications contained in credit or other commercial agreements the primary purpose of which does not
relate to Taxes). Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has engaged in any listed transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, less than 50% of the value of the gross
assets of the Company consist of U.S. real property interests or less than 90% of the value of the gross assets of the Company
consist of U.S. real property interests plus any cash or cash equivalents.
None of the Subsidiaries of the Company has ever been a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of
the Code, a foreign investment company within the meaning of
Section 1246 of the Code or a foreign personal holding company within the meaning of Section 552 of the Code, or has, or has ever
had, a permanent establishment in any country other than its
country of organization or been subject to tax in a jurisdiction outside its country of organization. 4.19 Employee Benefit
Plans. (a) Each Benefit Plan is set forth
in Section 4.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter. There is no Benefit Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA. Neither the
Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any obligation, contingent or otherwise, to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan. Neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates has maintained, sponsored or
terminated any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA or incurred any outstanding liability under Section 4062 of ERISA within the past
six (6) years. (b) The Company has made available
to the Buyer copies of the Benefit Plans (and, if applicable, related trust agreements) and all amendments thereto together, if
applicable with the most
recent annual report (Form 5500), the most recent actuarial valuation report prepared in connection with any Benefit Plan, the most
recent determination letter received from any taxation authority
with respect to any Benefit Plan, the most recent summary plan descriptions, summaries of material modifications, and written
descriptions of all non-written Benefit Plans. (c) Each Benefit Plan that is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter that has not been revoked
from the Internal Revenue
Service to the effect that each such Benefit Plan satisfies the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code and each related trust
is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code and, to the
Knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any
Benefit Plan or trust. Each Benefit Plan has been maintained in
substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any applicable Laws and Orders, including ERISA and
the Code. (d) Except as disclosed in Section
4.19(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
material current or
projected liability in respect of post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or life insurance benefits for retired,
former or current employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
except as required under applicable Laws. (e) To the Knowledge of the
Company, all contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) required to be made to
any Benefit Plan or related
trust by applicable Law or by any plan document or other contractual undertaking, and all premiums due or payable with respect to
insurance policies funding any Benefit Plan, for any period A-24
through the date hereof have been timely made or paid in full or, to the extent
not required to be made on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the financial statements. (f) Except as set forth in Section
4.19(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone
or in combination with
another event, (i) entitle any current or former employee, consultant or officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries to severance
pay or retention bonuses; (ii) accelerate the time of payment, vesting
or funding of benefits, or increase the amount of compensation due any such current employee, consultant or officer, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement; or (iii) result in any forgiveness
of indebtedness or obligation to fund benefits with respect to any such employee, director or officer. 4.20 Employees. Except as
set forth in Section 4.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (i) none of the employees is represented in his or her capacity as an
employee of the Company or its
Subsidiaries by any labor organization; (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not recognized any labor organization nor has
any labor organization been elected as the collective bargaining agent
of any of the employees, nor has the Company or its Subsidiaries entered into any collective bargaining agreement or union contract
recognizing any labor organization as the bargaining agent of any
employees; (iii) to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no union organization activity involving any of the employees, pending
or threatened, nor has there ever been union representation
involving any of the employees; (iv) to the Knowledge of the Company, there is no picketing, pending or threatened, and there are
no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages, other job actions, lockouts,
arbitrations, grievances or other labor disputes involving any of the employees, pending or threatened; (v) there are no
complaints, charges or claims against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
pending or threatened, which could be brought or filed, with any public or governmental authority, arbitrator or court based on,
arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the
employment or termination of employment or failure to employ by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, of any individual; (vi) the
Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material
respects with all Laws, regulations and orders relating to the employment of labor, including all such Laws, regulations and orders
relating to wages, hours, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) and any similar state or local mass layoff or
plant closing law, collective bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health, workers
compensation; and (vii) there has been no mass layoff or plant closing as defined by WARN with respect to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries within the six (6) months prior to Closing. 4.21 Brokers. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has paid or agreed to pay, or received any claim with respect to, any brokerage commissions,
finders fees or similar compensation
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except for the fees and expenses of Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Jefferies
& Co. and their respective Affiliates. 4.22 Related Party Transactions.
Except (i) for any Benefit Plans, or (ii) as set forth in Section 4.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (a) neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to any Contract with any Triarc Related Party or any of the officers or directors of the Sellers Representative and (b)
no Triarc Related Party provides any services, assets or properties to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. 4.23 Information Provided.
The written information to be supplied by or on behalf of the Company for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be sent to the
stockholders of the Buyer in connection
with the Stockholders Meeting shall not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to stockholders of the Buyer, at the time
of the Stockholders Meeting or at the Effective Time, contain any
statement that, at such time and in light of the circumstances under which it shall be made, is false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made in the Proxy Statement not false or misleading; or omit to state any material fact necessary to
correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of proxies for the Stockholders Meeting that has become false or misleading. If at any time prior to the
Stockholders Meeting any fact or event relating to the Company or any of its
Affiliates that should be set forth in a supplement to the Proxy Statement A-25
should be discovered by the Company or should occur, the Company shall,
promptly after becoming aware thereof, inform the Buyer of such fact or event. 4.24 Insurance. Section 4.24
of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a correct and complete list of all insurance policies (including information on the
premiums payable in connection
therewith and the scope and amount of the coverage provided thereunder) maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the
Policies). The Policies (i) have been issued by insurers which,
to the Knowledge of the Company, are reputable and financially sound, (ii) provide coverage for the operations conducted by the
Company and its Subsidiaries of a scope and coverage consistent
with customary practice in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate and (iii) are in full force and effect.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in material breach
or default, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have taken any action or failed to take any action which, with
notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default,
or permit termination or modification, of any of the Policies. No notice of cancellation or termination has been received by the
Company with respect to any of the Policies. The consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, in and of itself, cause the revocation, cancellation or termination of any
Policy (other than the master insurance policies maintained by the
Sellers Representative for the benefit of, among others, the Company and its Subsidiaries). 4.25 Books and Records.
Since July 22, 2004, the minute books (or comparable records) of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have heretofore been
made available to the Buyer, have been
maintained in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and accurately reflect in all material respects all
transactions and actions referred to in such minutes and consents in lieu of
meetings. The Company has heretofore made available to the Buyer a true, complete and correct copy of any disclosure (or, if
unwritten, a summary thereof) by any Representative of the Company
or its Subsidiaries to the Companys independent auditors relating to (a) any significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the ability of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to record, process, summarize and report financial data and any material weaknesses in internal
controls and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries. 4.26 Code of Ethics. DCM has
adopted a written code of ethics (the Code of Ethics) which complies in all material respects with all applicable
provisions of the Investment Advisers Act
(including without limitation Section 204A thereof), a true and complete copy of which has been delivered or made available to the
Buyer prior to the date hereof. All employees of DCM have
executed acknowledgments that they are bound by the provisions of such Code of Ethics. To the Knowledge of the Company, since July
22, 2004, there have been no material violations of such Code
of Ethics. 4.27 Anti-Money Laundering
Policy. DCM has adopted a written policy regarding its anti-money laundering procedures, a true and complete copy of which has
been delivered or made available
to the Buyer prior to the date hereof. DCM is, and since July 22, 2004 has been, in compliance in all material respects with such
policy. 4.28 Disclaimer Regarding
Estimates and Projections. In connection with the Buyers investigation of the Company, the Buyer has received certain
projections, including projected statements of
operating revenues and income from operations of the business and the Company and certain business plan information. The Buyer
acknowledges that there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to
make such estimates, projections and other forecasts and plans, that the Buyer is familiar with such uncertainties and that the
Buyer is taking full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the
adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections and other forecasts and plans so furnished to it (including the reasonableness
of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections and
forecasts). Accordingly, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to, and disclaims any obligation to update,
such estimates, projections and other forecasts A-26
and plans (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such
estimates, projections and forecasts). 4.29 Exclusivity of
Representations. The representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement are in lieu of and are exclusive of all
other representations and warranties,
including any implied warranties. The Company hereby disclaims any such other or implied representations or warranties,
notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the Buyer or its officers,
directors, employees, agents or representatives of any documentation or other information (including any pro forma financial
information, supplemental data or financial projections or other forward-
looking statements). ARTICLE V Except as set forth in the
Disclosure Letter which is being delivered to the Company concurrently herewith (the Buyer Disclosure Letter),
each of Buyer and Buyer Sub represents and
warrants to the Company as follows: 5.1 Due Incorporation;
Qualification. (a) The Buyer is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation or organization and has all requisite corporate or
limited liability company
power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being
conducted. (b) The copies of the certificate
of incorporation and bylaws or other organizational documents of the Buyer that previously have been made available to the Company,
are true and correct
copies of such documents as in effect as of the date of this Agreement. (c) The Buyer is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions where the Buyer, currently conducts business that requires such
qualification or licensing,
except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect. 5.2 Subsidiaries;
Investments. (a) Section 5.2(a) of the Buyer
Disclosure Letter hereto sets forth the name and jurisdiction of organization of each Subsidiary of the Buyer (including Buyer Sub).
Each of the Buyers
Subsidiaries (including Buyer Sub) is an entity duly organized, validly existing and (to the extent the concept of good standing
exists in the applicable jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of
its jurisdiction of organization. Each of the Buyers Subsidiaries (including Buyer Sub) has all requisite corporate or other
similar organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The copies of the articles of incorporation, bylaws and similar
governing documents of each of the Buyers Subsidiaries (including
Buyer Sub) that previously have been made available to the Company are true and correct copies of such documents as in effect on
the date of this Agreement. (b) Other than any interests in the
Buyers Subsidiaries, except as set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter, neither the Buyer nor any of its
Subsidiaries (including Buyer Sub)
owns any capital stock or other equity interests in any Person. (c) Buyer Sub was formed solely for
the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any business activities or
conducted any operations other
than in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 5.3 Authorization;
Enforceability. Each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub has all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations and consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder. The execution and delivery by each of the Buyer and
Buyer Sub of this Agreement and the performance by each of
the Buyer and Buyer Sub of their respective obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or limited
liability company action of each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub,
subject A-27
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE BUYER AND B
UYER SUB
only to the approval of the issuance of shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant
to this Agreement under Rule 312.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the Stock Issuance) by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the total votes cast by the holders of Buyer Common Stock at a duly held meeting of such stockholders (the
Stockholders Meeting) or any adjournment or postponement
thereof. The Board of Directors of the Buyer has determined (based on the recommendation of the Special Committee) that this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are in the best
interests of the Buyer and its stockholders, has resolved to recommend that holders of Buyer Common Stock vote in favor of the
Stock Issuance, and has directed that the Stock Issuance be
submitted to the Buyers stockholders for approval at the Stockholders Meeting. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub and, assuming this
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub, enforceable against
each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws, laws of general applicability relating
to or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles. 5.4
Capitalization. (a) The Buyer is authorized to
issue 500,000,000 shares of Buyer Common Stock and 100,000,000 shares of Buyer Preferred Stock. As of the date of this Agreement,
51,722,066 shares of Buyer
Common Stock are issued and outstanding and no shares of Buyer Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. All issued and
outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock have been duly authorized
and are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. The Buyer has reserved 1,346,156 shares of
Buyer Common Stock for issuance of outstanding stock options to
purchase Buyer Common Stock. On the date hereof, except as set forth in this Section 5.4, no shares of Buyer Common Stock, other
voting securities of the Buyer or shares of Buyer Preferred Stock
were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Except as otherwise disclosed in this Section 5.4, as of the date hereof there
are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is bound,
obligating the Buyer to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional Buyer Common Stock, other voting securities, Buyer Preferred Stock or other ownership interests of
the Buyer or obligating the Buyer to issue, grant, extend or enter
into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Buyer to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any Buyer Common Stock or other ownership interests in the Buyer or make any material investment (in the form of
a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in any Person. (b) The Buyers Subsidiaries
are as set forth in Section 5.2(a) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of or other equity
interests in each of the Buyers
Subsidiaries are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Section 5.4(b) of the
Buyer Disclosure Letter, all shares of capital stock of or other equity
interests in each Subsidiary of the Buyer are owned by the Buyer or another Subsidiary of the Buyer free and clear of any Liens,
other than Permitted Liens. 5.5 SEC Reports and Financial
Statements. (a) The Buyer has filed all
registration statements, forms, reports, schedules and other documents, together with any amendments required to be made with respect
thereto, required to be filed by
the Buyer with the SEC since June 28, 2005 and prior to the date hereof. All such registration statements, forms, reports and other
documents (including those that the Buyer may file after the date
hereof until the Closing) are referred herein as the Buyer SEC Reports. The Buyer SEC Reports (i) at the time
filed, were or will be prepared in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and (ii) did not or will not at
the time they were or are filed contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such Buyer SEC A-28
Reports or necessary in order to make the statements in such Buyer SEC Reports,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (b) The consolidated financial
statements of the Buyer and its Subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Buyer SEC Reports filed with the SEC since
January 1, 2007 (collectively,
the Buyer Financial Statements) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of
the Buyer and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof, and the consolidated
results of the operations of the Buyer and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods covered thereby, in each case in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved,
except as indicated in any notes thereto (and except in the case of the unaudited consolidated financial statements, for the
absence of footnotes otherwise required by GAAP and subject to year-end
audit adjustments). 5.6 REIT Qualification;
Investment Company Act. Commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and for each taxable year ended or ending
thereafter, the Buyer has been
organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust within
the meaning of Code Section 856 (REIT). The Buyers
organization and current and proposed method of operation (including the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
after the consummation thereof) will enable it to continue to
meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT. The Buyer has not taken any action (or omitted to take any action)
that could reasonably be expected to cause the Buyer to fail to
qualify as a REIT. The Buyer has incurred no liability for material Taxes under Section 856(c)(7), 857(b), 857(f), 860(c) or 4981
of the Code (or any comparable provision of state or local law) and
no condition or circumstance exists which presents a risk that any material Tax described in this sentence will be imposed upon the
Buyer or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Buyer nor any of its
Subsidiaries is, or at the Effective Time will be, required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company
Act. 5.7 Non-Contravention. The
execution and delivery by each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub of this Agreement and each applicable Ancillary Document, the consummation
of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, and the performance by each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub of this Agreement and each applicable
Ancillary Document in accordance with its terms will not: (a) violate the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws (or comparable instruments) of the Buyer or Buyer Sub; (b) require the Buyer or Buyer Sub
to obtain any material consents, approvals, authorizations or actions of, or make any filings with or give any notices to, any
Governmental Authorities or any
other Person, except for (i) the notification requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Illinois, (iii) the filing with the SEC of a
Proxy Statement in definitive form relating to the Stockholders Meeting (the Proxy Statement), (iv) such filings
and approvals as are required to be obtained or made under the Exchange Act or
the Securities Act, the rules and regulations of the NYSE or the securities or blue sky laws of various states in
connection with the issuance of shares of Buyer Common Stock pursuant to this
Agreement, (v) the Stockholder Approval, (vi) as set forth in Section 5.7(b) of the Buyer Disclosure Letter (the consents referred
to in this clause (vi), the Buyer Consents and Notices and,
collectively with the Company Consents and Notices, the Required Consents and Notices) or (vii) any such
consents, approvals, authorizations or actions of, or filings with or notices to any Person
(other than a Governmental Authority) the failure to obtain or make which would not have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect; (c) assuming all of the Buyer
Consents and Notices are obtained or made, violate or result in the breach of any of the material terms and conditions of, cause the
termination of or give any
other contracting party the right to terminate, or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time, or both, constitute) a default
under, any material Contract or material Permit, to which the Buyer or
Buyer Sub is a party or by or to which the Buyer or Buyer Sub or any of their respective properties is or may be bound, or result
in the creation of any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, upon any
of the properties or assets of the Buyer or Buyer Sub pursuant to the terms of any material Contract or material Permit to which
the Buyer or Buyer Sub is a party or by which any of their
respective A-29
properties or assets are bound, except for any such violations, breaches,
terminations, defaults, accelerations or creations under any such material Contracts that would not have a Buyer Material
Adverse Effect; or (d) assuming all of the Buyer
Consents and Notices are obtained or made, violate or result in the breach of any applicable Orders or Laws of any Governmental
Authorities. 5.8 Information Provided.
The written information to be supplied by or on behalf of the Buyer for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be sent to the
stockholders of the Buyer in connection with
the Stockholders Meeting shall not, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to stockholders of the Buyer, at the time of
the Stockholders Meeting or at the Effective Time, contain any
statement that, at such time and in light of the circumstances under which it shall be made, is false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made in the Proxy Statement not false or misleading; or omit to state any material fact necessary to
correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of proxies for the Stockholders Meeting that has become false or misleading. If at any time prior to the
Stockholders Meeting any fact or event relating to the Buyer or any of its
Affiliates that should be set forth in a supplement to the Proxy Statement should be discovered by the Buyer or should occur, the
Buyer shall, promptly after becoming aware thereof, inform the
Company of such fact or event. 5.9 Opinions of Buyers
Financial Advisors. Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. has delivered to the Special Committee an opinion dated the date of this
Agreement to the effect that the consideration paid
by the Buyer in connection with the Merger is fair to the Buyer from a financial point of view. Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin
Financial Advisors, Inc. has delivered to the Special Committee an
opinion dated the date of this Agreement to the effect that the consideration to be paid by the Buyer in connection with the
Merger, taken in the aggregate, is fair to the Buyer from a financial
point of view. 5.10 Financing. The Debt
Commitment Letter, in the form so delivered in accordance with section 6.16(a), will be valid, binding and in full force and effect
and, as of the date of execution and
delivery thereof, no event will have occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to
constitute a default or breach on the part of the Buyer or Buyer
Sub under any term or condition of the Debt Commitment Letter. There will be no conditions precedent or other contingencies related
to the funding of the full amount of the Financing other than
as specifically set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter. The Buyer and Buyer Sub will have fully paid any and all commitment fees
and other fees required by the Debt Commitment Letter to be
paid as of the date of execution and delivery thereof. 5.11 Brokers. Neither the
Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries has paid or agreed to pay, or received any claim with respect to, any brokerage commissions,
finders fees or similar compensation in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except for the fees and expenses of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Houlihan
Lokey Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors, Inc., which shall be paid by
the Buyer. 5.12 Investment Intent. The
Buyer is acquiring the Membership Interests for its own account, for investment purposes only and not with a view toward, or for sale
in connection with, any
distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of distributions or selling the Membership Interests, in violation of the
federal securities Laws or any applicable foreign or state securities Law. The
Buyer qualifies as an accredited investor, as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated pursuant to the
Securities Act. The Buyer understands that the acquisition of the Membership Interests
to be acquired by it pursuant to the terms of this Agreement involves substantial risk. The Buyer and its directors and officers
have experience as an investor in securities and equity interests of
companies such as the ones being transferred pursuant to this Agreement, and the Buyer can bear the economic risk of its investment
(which may be for an indefinite period) and has such knowledge
and experience in financial or business matters that the Buyer is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in
the Membership Interests to be acquired by it pursuant to the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Buyer understands that the Membership Interests to be acquired by it pursuant to this
Agreement have not been registered under the Securities Act. The A-30
Buyer acknowledges that such securities may not be transferred, sold, offered
for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act and any other
provision of applicable state securities Laws or pursuant to an applicable exemption therefrom. 5.13 Independent Investigation.
Each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub hereby acknowledges and affirms that it has conducted and completed its own investigation,
analysis and evaluation of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, that it has made all such reviews and inspections of the financial condition, business, results of
operations, properties, assets and prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as it has deemed necessary or appropriate, that it has had the opportunity to request all information it has deemed
relevant to the foregoing from the Company and has received
responses it deems adequate and sufficient to all such requests for information, and that in making its decision to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
it has relied solely on its own investigation, analysis and evaluation of the Company and its Subsidiaries and is not relying in
any way on any representations and warranties, including any implied
warranties, made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by any other Person other than the representations and warranties made
expressly by the Company in this Agreement and each
applicable Ancillary Document. 5.14 Exclusivity of
Representations. The representations and warranties made by the Buyer and Buyer Sub in this Agreement are in lieu of and are
exclusive of all other representations and
warranties, including any implied warranties. ARTICLE VI 6.1 Conduct of Business of the
Company. The Company agrees that: (a) between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, provided in Section 6.1(a) of the Company
Disclosure Letter, required
by applicable Law or by the terms of any Benefit Plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or otherwise agreed to in writing
by the Buyer (which agrees to respond promptly to any request
for such agreement and not to unreasonably withhold or condition such agreement), the Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to (i) conduct its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business
organization and the goodwill of those having business relationships with it; and (b) between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, provided in Section 6.1(b) of the Company
Disclosure Letter, required by
applicable Law or otherwise agreed to in writing by the Buyer (which agrees to respond promptly to any request for such agreement
and not to unreasonably withhold or condition such agreement),
the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to: (i) amend the Existing
Operating Agreement or comparable organizational instruments; (ii) incur, assume or
guarantee any additional Debt or grant any Lien (other than any Permitted Lien) on any material asset or property of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries,
except for borrowings and reborrowings under the Revolving Note, dated February 2, 2006, by and between DCM and Fifth Third Bank
(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time) or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall
include the incurrence or guarantee of any Debt in connection
with any CDO Financing; (iii) issue, deliver, sell,
authorize, grant, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber any Membership Interests or any other capital stock, voting securities or
equity interests of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any class of securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or rights,
warrants or options to acquire, any Membership Interests or any
other capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any Membership Interests or any other capital
stock, voting securities or equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; A-31
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
(iv) effect any
recapitalization, reclassification, split or combination in the capitalization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (v) sell or convey any of
its material assets, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (vi) change its method of
accounting or any accounting principle, method, estimate or practice, except as may be required by changes in GAAP or applicable
Law; (vii) cancel, terminate,
amend or enter into any Material Contract, except in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted in Section
6.1(b)(ix); (viii) merge or consolidate
with or into, or acquire by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, another Person or enter into
any joint venture or
partnership agreement or similar Contract; (ix) (A) adopt, terminate or
amend or secure any benefit plan or bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, incentive, stock option or stock purchase plan,
program or commitment,
paid time off for sickness or other plan, program or arrangement for the benefit of employees, former employees, consultants or
directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other
than (i) adopting or amending Benefit Plans of general application, but only if such actions do not result in a material cost
increase, and (ii) in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice, entering into employment or consulting agreements with any employees or consultants first hired after the date
of this Agreement, provided, however, that in no event will
any such person be granted any Membership Interests, or (B) grant any material general increase (other than increases required
under a Contract, or consistent with past practice) in the
compensation of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material increase (other than increases required under a
Contract) in the compensation payable or to become
payable to any officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection
(ix) shall, in any way, prevent the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries from paying, funding or securing any benefits under any Benefit Plan after the date of this Agreement, pursuant to the
terms of any Benefit Plan as in effect on the date of this
Agreement; (x) make any capital
expenditures or enter into any capital commitments in excess of $250,000; (xi) adopt a plan of
complete or partial liquidation or dissolution; (xii) settle or compromise
any litigation, proceeding or investigation material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (xiii) issue any broadly
distributed communication of a general nature to employees (including general communications relating to benefits and compensation)
or customers without the
prior approval of the Buyer, except for communications in the ordinary course of business that do not relate to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; (xiv) make, change or revoke
any Tax election, file any amended Tax Return, settle or compromise any liability for Taxes, surrender any claim for a refund of
Taxes, change any method
of Tax accounting or any annual Tax accounting period, enter into any closing agreement relating to any Tax or waive or extend the
statute of limitations in respect of any Tax (in each case,
other than with respect to U.S. federal income or franchise Taxes and any Taxes derivative therefrom) to the extent that any of the
foregoing could have a material post-Closing impact on
the Buyer and its Affiliates taken as a whole; (xv) amend or modify any
existing employment agreement or any consulting agreement with respect to an employee or consultant to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as
applicable; (xvi) make any cash
distribution to the Members in excess of (A) $5,997,000, plus (B) any amounts payable to the Members that held issued and outstanding
Membership Interests as of
immediately prior to the Effective Time pursuant to Section 6.22 that are A-32
actually received by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, plus (C) quarterly cash tax distributions and a cash tax distribution on or prior to the
Closing with
respect to any periods and/or portion thereof with respect to which the tax distribution has not previously been made, in each case
computed consistent with past practice as determined in
the reasonable judgment of Sellers Representative, minus (D) any prepayments of Debt made by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date;
provided that, if under the terms of the Existing Operating Agreement, the Company is required to make a distribution to a Put
Right Seller (as defined in the Existing Operating
Agreement) pursuant to Section 9.1l(g) of the Existing Operating Agreement, then notwithstanding the limitation contained in this
Section 6.1(b)(xvi) the Company shall be permitted to
make such distribution together with a pro rata distribution (in accordance with the Existing Operating Agreement) to all other
Members. To the extent that the aggregate amount of all such
distributions made by the Company after the date hereof that are addressed and permitted by this Section 6.1(b)(xvi) (including the
proviso in the preceding sentence) exceeds the amount of
the distributions that would be permitted to be made under this Section 6.1(b)(xvi) (but for the proviso in the preceding
sentence), then the Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration shall
be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the amount of such excess; or (xvii) agree to or make any commitment to take any actions
prohibited by this Section 6.1(b). 6.2 Conduct of Business of the
Buyer. The Buyer agrees that: (a) between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, provided in Section 6.2(a) of the Buyer
Disclosure Letter, required by
applicable Law or otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company (which agrees to respond promptly to any request for such agreement
and not to unreasonably withhold or condition such
agreement), the Buyer shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) conduct its business in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and (ii) use commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization and the goodwill of those having business relationships with it;
provided, that no breach of this Section 6.2(a) shall result from any
actions taken on behalf of the Buyer or its Subsidiaries by DCM under the Management Agreement, other than any such actions taken
at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Buyer or the
Special Committee; and (b) between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, provided in Section 6.2(b) of the Buyer
Disclosure Letter, required by
applicable Law or otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company. The Buyer agrees that between the date of this Agreement and the
Closing Date, except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, provided in Section 6.2 of the Buyer Disclosure Letter, required by applicable Law or otherwise agreed to in writing by
the Company or the Sellers Representative (each of which agrees
to respond promptly to any request for such agreement and not to unreasonably withhold or condition such agreement), Buyer shall
not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to (provided, that no
breach of this Section 6.2 shall result from any actions taken on behalf of the Buyer or its Subsidiaries by DCM under the
Management Agreement, other than any such actions taken at the direction
of the Board of Directors of the Buyer or the Special Committee): (i) amend its Charter,
By-laws or comparable organizational instruments; (ii) issue, deliver, sell,
grant or authorize any Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Preferred Stock or any other capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of
the Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any class of securities convertible into exchangeable or exercisable for, or rights, warrants or options to
acquire, Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Preferred Stock or any other
capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Preferred Stock or any
other capital stock, voting securities or equity interests of the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) effect any
recapitalization, reclassification, split or combination in the capitalization of the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries; A-33
(iv) make, declare or pay any
dividends or make any distribution or payment (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) with respect to any
shares of its capital
stock, other than (A) dividends or distributions made by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Buyer to the Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries, (B) as necessary to maintain the Buyers REIT
qualification and as necessary for the Buyer to avoid being subject to Tax under Sections 857, 860 and 4981 of the Code, or (C)
other ordinary cash dividends made in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice; (v) adopt a plan of complete
or partial liquidation or dissolution; (vi) facilitate or approve
any transaction in which all of the holders of the outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock are afforded the opportunity to sell or
otherwise dispose of any or
all of such shares held by them unless the Buyer shall have used its commercially reasonable efforts to have provision made for the
Persons who are to receive the Aggregate Share
Consideration to be afforded the opportunity to include the Aggregate Share Consideration, or pro rata portion thereof, in such
transaction on the same terms and conditions; or (vii) agree to or make any
commitment to take any actions prohibited by this Section 6.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Buyer from taking any action at any time or from time to time that in
the
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of the Buyer, upon advice of counsel, is reasonably necessary for the Buyer to
maintain its qualification as a REIT under the Code for any period or
portion thereof ending on or prior to the Effective Time, including making dividend or distribution payments to stockholders of the
Buyer in accordance with this Agreement or otherwise. 6.3 Access to Information;
Confidentiality. (a) Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the Buyer and its professional advisors
reasonable access during normal
business hours and upon reasonable prior notice to all of the properties, personnel, contracts and agreements, books and records of
the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall promptly deliver or
make available to the Buyer information concerning the business, properties, assets and personnel of the Company and the
Subsidiaries as the Buyer may from time to time reasonably request;
provided, however, that such access or request shall not unreasonably interfere with any of the businesses or operations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, further, that the auditors
and accountants of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to make any work papers available to any Person unless
and until such Person has executed a customary agreement related
to such access to work papers in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such auditors or accountants. The Buyer shall hold,
and shall cause its professional advisors to hold, all Evaluation
Material (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement, between Triarc Companies, Inc. and the Buyer dated February 14, 2007 (the
Confidentiality Agreement) or the Confidentiality Agreement,
between Triarc Companies, Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., dated February 16, 2007 (the Bear Stearns Confidentiality
Agreement), as applicable) in confidence in accordance with the terms of the
Confidentiality Agreement or the Bear Stearns Confidentiality Agreement, as applicable, and, in the event of the termination of
this Agreement for any reason, the Buyer promptly shall return all
Evaluation Material in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement. (b) The Buyer agrees that neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have or
be subject to any liability,
except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, to the Buyer, or any other Person resulting from the distribution to the Buyer,
for the Buyers use, of any such information, including any
information, document or material made available to the Buyer in certain data rooms, management presentations or any
other form in expectation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. (c) Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Company, the Buyer and Buyer Sub shall not, and shall cause
each of their respective A-34
employees, counsel, accountants, consultants, financing sources and other
authorized representatives not to, contact or communicate with any Client or any Person who, to the Knowledge of the
Buyer, is an investor in any CDO or Hedge Fund or provides services to any CDO, in each case, in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. (d) Between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing, the Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the Company and its professional advisors
reasonable access during normal
business hours and upon reasonable prior notice to all of the properties, personnel, contracts and agreements, books and records of
the Buyer and the Subsidiaries and shall promptly deliver or make
available to the Company information concerning the business, properties, assets and personnel of the Buyer and its Subsidiaries as
the Company may from time to time reasonably request; provided,
however, that such access or request shall not unreasonably interfere with any of the businesses or operations of the Buyer or any
of its Subsidiaries; provided, further, that the auditors and
accountants of the Buyer and its Subsidiaries shall not be obligated to make any work papers available to any Person unless and
until such Person has executed a customary agreement related to such
access to work papers in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such auditors or accountants. 6.4 Expenses. (a) Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, the parties shall bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution
and performance of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, counsel and
accountants. (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the following expenses shall be allocated equally between the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Members that held issued and
outstanding Membership Interests
as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (pro rata in proportion to the respective amounts paid to such Members pursuant to
Section 3.2(a)), on the other hand; provided, however, that the
Buyer may (but shall not be obligated to) elect, at any time, to withdraw all (but not less than all) of the aggregate amount of
any such expenses allocable to such Members from the Indemnity
Escrow Fund in accordance with the Escrow Agreement: (i) all sales, use, value
added, transfer, stamp, registration, documentary, excise, real property transfer or gains, or similar Taxes incurred as a result of
the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement and the Company and the Buyer agree to jointly file all required change of ownership and similar
statements; (ii) the fees and expenses
of Hunton & Williams LLP in connection with the issuance of the opinion described in Section 8.11 hereof; and (iii) all HSR Act filing
fees. 6.5 Publicity. Prior to the
Closing Date, except as may be required by Law, including the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC or the NYSE, the parties
hereto agree that no publicity
release or announcement by the Company or the Buyer concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be made
without advance approval thereof by the Sellers
Representative and the Buyer. If any such public announcement is required by Law to be made by any party hereto, prior to making
such announcement, such party will deliver a draft of such
announcement to the Sellers Representative or the Buyer, as applicable, and shall give the Sellers Representative or
the Buyer, as applicable, reasonable opportunity to comment thereon. 6.6 Further Actions. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and except where another standard of effort is expressly provided for in this
Agreement, between the date of this
Agreement and the Closing Date, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to (i)
defend any action, suit or proceeding, whether judicial or administrative, whether brought derivatively or on behalf of third
parties (including Governmental Authorities or officials), challenging this
Agreement or the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement A-35
and (ii) furnish to each other party such information and assistance and
consult with respect to the terms of any undertaking as may be reasonably requested in connection with the foregoing. 6.7 Required Consents and
Notices from Governmental Authorities. (a) Each of the Buyer and the
Company agrees to make, or cause to be made, an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with
respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and in any event within 10 Business Days of the date hereof and to supply as
promptly as practicable any additional information and documentary
material that may be requested pursuant to the HSR Act and to take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration or
termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon
as practicable. (b) In connection with the efforts
referenced in Section 6.7(a), each of the Buyer and the Company shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate in all
respects with the other in
connection with any filing or submission and in connection with any investigation or other inquiry, including any proceeding
initiated by a private party, (ii) keep the other party informed of any
material communication received by such party from, or given by such party to, the Federal Trade Commission (the
FTC), the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the DOJ) or any
other Governmental Authority and of any material communication received or given in connection with any proceeding by a private
party, in each case regarding any of the transactions contemplated
hereby, and (iii) permit the other party to review any material communication given by it to, and consult with each other in
advance of any meeting or conference with, the FTC, the DOJ or any
such other Governmental Authority or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, with any other Person. (c) Each of the Buyer and the
Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of any claim, action, suit, audit, assessment arbitration
or inquiry, or any proceeding or
investigation, before any Governmental Authority by the DOJ or the FTC (whether United States, foreign or multinational)
(collectively, the Antitrust Authorities) or any other Person of any
Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (d) The Buyer shall cooperate in
good faith with the Antitrust Authorities, consent to the sharing of Confidential Information (as defined in the Confidentiality
Agreement) among Antitrust
Authorities as directed by the Company, and undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including proffering and
consenting to an Order providing for the sale or other disposition, or the holding separate, of particular assets, categories of
assets or lines of business, of either assets or lines of business of the
Company, or any other assets or lines of business of the Buyer. The entry by any Governmental Authority of an Order permitting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby but
requiring any of the assets or lines of business of the Buyer to be held separate thereafter (including portions of the Business
and assets of the Company) shall not be deemed a failure to satisfy the
conditions specified herein. (e) At all times prior to the
Closing, the parties hereto shall cooperate and coordinate with each other, as appropriate, with respect to filings and notifications
to Governmental Authorities in
connection with obtaining or making the Required Consents and Notices. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Company, on the one hand, and the Buyer, on the other hand, shall
make or cause to be made available all information reasonably requested by the other party to permit all necessary filings and
notices to be made with or to Governmental Authorities as promptly as
practicable after the date hereof. Each party shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished all information and documents
reasonably required by the relevant Governmental Authorities as may be
appropriate in order to obtain or make the Required Consents and Notices. 6.8 Client
Consents. (a) As soon as reasonably
practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall cause DCM to send (i) in the case of each Client that is a CDO that is party to
an Advisory Contract as of the
date hereof, to each Person identified in Section 6.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter A-36
(collectively, the CDO Consent Parties) or to the trustee
with respect to such CDO for distribution by such trustee to such CDO Consent Parties, a letter (each, an Initial CDO
Consent Request
Letter), (ii) to each Client that is a Hedge Fund that is a party to an Advisory Contract as of the date hereof, a
written or oral communication (each, an Initial Hedge Fund Consent Request)
requesting that the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Hedge Fund, adopt written resolutions (the
Hedge Fund Resolutions) and (iii) to each Client that is a party to an
Advisory Contract as of the date hereof (other than a CDO or a Hedge Fund), a letter (each, an Initial Client Consent
Request Letter). Each such Initial Client Consent Request Letter, Initial
CDO Consent Request Letter and Initial Hedge Fund Consent Request (x) shall notify such Client and such CDO Consent Parties of the
change of control of DCM contemplated by this
Agreement and the assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract resulting from such change of
control, and (y) shall request the written consent of such Client and such CDO
Consent Parties to such assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract and each such Hedge Fund Resolution shall
provide for the consent of such Hedge Fund to the assignment
(or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract resulting from the change of control of DCM contemplated by this
Agreement. (b) On or prior to the 30th day
after the Initial Client Consent Request Letter, the Initial CDO Consent Party Request Letter or the Initial Hedge Fund Consent
Request, as applicable, has
been sent by DCM, the Company shall cause DCM to send (i) to each Client who was sent, but who has not by such date returned, an
Initial Client Consent Request Letter countersigned or
otherwise duly executed indicating such Clients consent (or otherwise indicated its consent in writing) to the assignment (or
deemed assignment) of the applicable Advisory Contract resulting from
the change of control of DCM contemplated by this Agreement, a second letter (each, a Follow-up Client Consent
Request Letter), (ii) to each CDO Consent Party or each trustee with respect
to each such CDO, as the case may be, who was sent, but who has not by such date returned, an Initial CDO Consent Request Letter
countersigned indicating such CDO Consent Partys consent (or
otherwise indicated its consent in writing) to the assignment (or deemed assignment) of the applicable Advisory Contract resulting
from the change of control of DCM contemplated by this
Agreement, a second letter (each, a Follow-up CDO Consent Request Letter) and (iii) to each Client to whom an
Initial Hedge Fund Consent Request was sent but who has not by such date
returned documents or other materials evidencing that the Hedge Fund Resolutions have been duly adopted by a majority of the
members of the board of directors or comparable governing body of
such Hedge Fund, a second communication (each, a Follow-up Hedge Fund Consent Request). Each Follow-Up Client
Consent Letter, Follow-Up CDO Consent Request Letter and Follow-Up
Hedge Fund Consent Request shall request the applicable consents described in Section 6.8(a). (c) With respect to any Advisory
Contract (other than Advisory Contracts with New Clients), the Client Consent shall be deemed given for purposes of Section 7.9 in
the event that such Client
or such CDO Consent Party, as applicable, has returned to DCM an executed Initial Client Consent Request Letter or a Follow-Up
Client Consent Request Letter, or an executed Initial CDO
Consent Request Letter or a Follow-Up CDO Consent Request Letter (or otherwise indicated its consent in writing), or documents or
other materials evidencing the due adoption of the Hedge Fund
Resolutions by a majority of the members of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Hedge Fund, or by other
reasonable means which shall be comparably effective in form and
substance to confirm the consent of such Client or such CDO Consent Party, as the case may be, to the assignment (or deemed
assignment) of such Advisory Contract resulting from the change of
control of DCM contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Advisory Contract (other
than Advisory Contracts with Hedge Funds or New Clients) that does
not, by its terms or under applicable Law, require the written consent of the Client party thereto or specified CDO Consent Parties
(as specified in Section 6.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter),
as applicable, to an assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract, the Client Consent shall be deemed given for
purposes of Section 7.9 (notwithstanding the fact that such Client or
such CDO Consent Parties, as applicable, shall have failed to return an Initial Client Consent 53 Request Letter or a Follow-Up
Client Consent Request Letter, or an Initial CDO Consent Request
Letter or a Follow-Up CDO Consent Request Letter, as applicable, countersigned indicating the consent of A-37
such Client or such CDO Consent Party (or otherwise failed to indicate its
consent in writing), as applicable, to the assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract resulting from the
change of control of DCM contemplated by this Agreement) 15 days after the date on which such Follow-Up Client Consent
Request Letter or Follow-Up CDO Consent Letter, as applicable, was
sent to such Client, such CDO Consent Party or such trustee, as applicable, if such Client or such CDO Consent Party, as
applicable, has not objected in a writing received by DCM to the
assignment or deemed assignment of such Advisory Contract resulting from the change of control of DCM contemplated by
this Agreement and has continued to accept Investment Management
Services from DCM for such 15 day period. (d) With respect to any Advisory
Contract entered into after the date hereof and prior to the Closing, the Company shall cause DCM to notify (i) the Client (each, a
New Client) party to such
Advisory Contract (other than a CDO) and (ii) in the case of each New Client that is a CDO, each Person whose consent is required
to an assignment of such Advisory Contract related to such
CDO (each a New CDO Consent Party) or the trustee with respect to such CDO for distribution by such trustee to
such New CDO Consent Parties, of the change of control of DCM
contemplated by this Agreement and the assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract resulting from such
change of control and shall request the written consent of such New
Client and, in the case of any New Client that is a CDO, each of the New CDO Consent Parties required under such Advisory Contract
to consent to an assignment of such Advisory Contract to
such assignment (or deemed assignment) of such Advisory Contract at the time such Advisory Contract is entered into, either by
means of a notification and written consent substantially similar to
the Initial Client Consent Request Letter, the Initial CDO Consent Request Letter or written evidence of the due adoption by a
majority of the members of the board of directors or comparable
governing body of such Hedge Fund or by other reasonable means which shall be comparably effective in form and substance to confirm
the consent of such New Client or New CDO Consent Party,
as the case may be. (e) The Company shall, and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consents from the Clients, the New Clients,
the CDO Consent Parties and
the New CDO Consent Parties in the manner contemplated by this Section 6.8; provided, that neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall be required or obligated to pay any consideration
to, or agree to any modification of any aspect of its relationship with, any Person from or to whom any such consents are
requested. Except in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.3(c), prior
to the Closing, the Buyer agrees that it will not (and it will not cause or permit any of its Affiliates to) contact, in writing or
otherwise, any Client or New Client of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (or any Person who acts as an adviser or gatekeeper for any such Client or New Client) or any CDO Consent
Party or New CDO Consent Party in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement without the prior approval of the Company. 6.9 Proxy Statement;
Stockholders Meeting; NYSE Listing. (a) As promptly as practicable
after the execution of this Agreement (but in no event more than 30 days after the date of this Agreement), the Buyer, in cooperation
with the Company, shall
prepare and file with the SEC the preliminary Proxy Statement. The Buyer shall respond to any comments of the SEC or its staff and
shall cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders
at the earliest practicable time after the resolution of any such comments. The Buyer shall also use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain all necessary state securities or blue sky permits and
approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company shall furnish all information
concerning the Company and the holders of Membership Interests as
may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action. The Buyer shall notify the Company promptly upon the receipt of any
comments from the SEC or its staff or any other government
officials and of any request by the SEC or its staff or any other government officials for amendments or supplements to the Proxy
Statement and shall supply the Company with copies of all
correspondence between the Buyer or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC, or its staff or any other government
officials, on the other hand, with respect to the Proxy Statement.
The Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all documents that it is responsible for filing with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities under this A-38
Section 6.9(a) to comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
Whenever any event occurs that is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, the
Buyer or the Company, as the case may be, shall promptly inform the other of such occurrence and cooperate in filing with the SEC
or its staff or any other government officials, and/or mailing to
stockholders of the Buyer, such amendment or supplement. (b) The Buyer, acting through its
Board of Directors, shall duly call, give notice of, convene and hold as promptly as practicable the Stockholders Meeting for the
purpose of considering and
voting upon the Stock Issuance. The Buyer covenants that, the Proxy Statement shall include the recommendation (the Board
Recommendation) of the Board of Directors of the Buyer and of the
Special Committee that the stockholders of the Buyer approve the Stock Issuance. The Buyer shall take all action that is both
reasonable and lawful to solicit from its stockholders proxies in favor of
the Stock Issuance and shall take all other action reasonably necessary or advisable to secure the Stockholder Approval.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
Buyer may adjourn or postpone the Stockholders Meeting to the extent necessary to ensure that any required supplement or
amendment to the Proxy Statement is provided to the Buyers
stockholders or, if as of the time for which the Stockholders Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement)
there are insufficient shares of Buyer Common Stock represented
(either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Stockholders Meeting. (c) The Buyer shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued in the Merger to be authorized for listing on
the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time. (d) Neither the Board of Directors
of the Buyer nor the Special Committee shall withdraw or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to
the Company, the Board
Recommendation or the approval or declaration of advisability by such Board of Directors of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger). 6.10 Preservation of Records;
Post-Closing Access to Information and Cooperation. (a) The Buyer, at its own expense,
shall preserve and keep records held by it or any of its Affiliates (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) relating to
the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for a period of seven (7) years from the Closing Date, during which time the Buyer shall make such records available
to the Sellers Representative as the Sellers Representative
requires. The Buyer may destroy such records after that time, but only after the Buyer gives ninety (90) days prior written notice
to the Sellers Representative and details the contents of the records
to be destroyed; the Sellers Representative shall have the option to take possession of the records at its own expense within
ninety (90) days of the date of such notice by the Buyer in accordance
with Section 6.10(b). (b) The Buyer (including, for the
purpose of this Section 6.10(b), the Company and its Subsidiaries after the Closing) shall provide the Sellers Representative
and its professional advisors with
reasonable access to the Buyers books and records if reasonably required in connection with any litigation, investigation,
Tax audit, discovery or similar proceeding, or in the preparation of Tax
Returns, and shall prepare, at the expense of the Members who are or could reasonably be expected to be affected by such
litigation, investigation, Tax audit, discovery or similar proceeding or for
whom such Tax Returns are to be prepared and, in any such case, who held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of
immediately prior to the Effective Time (pro rata in proportion to the
respective amounts paid to such Members pursuant to Section 3.2(a) in relation to the aggregate amounts paid to all such Members
pursuant to Section 3.2(a)), such schedules and other materials as
may be reasonably requested by the Sellers Representative in connection with any of the foregoing and deliver, at the expense
of the Members who are or could reasonably be expected to be
affected by such litigation, investigation, Tax audit, discovery or similar proceeding or for whom such Tax Returns are to be
prepared and, in any such case, who held issued and outstanding
Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (pro rata in proportion to the respective amounts paid to such
Members pursuant to Section 3.2(a) in relation to the aggregate
amounts paid to all such Members pursuant to Section 3.2(a)), such schedules and materials to the Sellers A-39
Representative and its professional advisors at such times as may be reasonably
requested by the Sellers Representative; provided, however, that, in either case, the Buyer may (but shall not be
obligated to) elect, at any time, to withdraw all (but not less than all) of the aggregate amount of any such expenses allocable to
all Members who held issued and outstanding Membership Interests
as immediately prior to the Effective Time from the Indemnity Escrow Fund in accordance with the Escrow Agreement. If the
Sellers Representative shall request the assistance (including testimony)
of employees of the Buyer in connection with any litigation, investigation, tax audit, discovery, similar proceeding or claim, the
Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make such
employees available for a reasonable period of time. (c) The Sellers
Representative shall exercise its rights under this Section 6.10 to the extent reasonably requested to do so by Members who hold
issued and outstanding Membership Interests as
of immediately prior to the Effective Time constituting at least 20% of the Fully Diluted Percentage Interests. 6.11 Termination of Related
Party Transactions. (a) Except as set forth in Section
6.11 of the Company Disclosure Letter, all Contracts between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Triarc
Related Party, on the
other hand, shall be terminated as of the Closing, and all liabilities thereunder shall thereupon be discharged and released. This
covenant is intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
by, the Triarc Related Parties as if such Persons were parties hereto. (b) On the Closing Date, the Buyer
shall change its name to eliminate the reference therein to Triarc in accordance with the terms of the Trademark License
Agreement, dated as of
November 24, 2004, by and among Triarc Companies, Inc., the Company and the Buyer. 6.12 Employee
Matters. (a) On and after the Closing, the
Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries to honor in accordance with their terms all existing employment,
severance, consulting and salary
continuation agreements between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any current or former officer, director, employee or
consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that nothing herein shall preclude the Buyer from having the right to terminate the employment of any employee, with or
without cause. (b) On and after the Closing until
the first anniversary thereof, the Buyer shall either continue the Benefit Plans (including any severance plan or arrangement but
excluding any equity-based
plan or arrangement) and compensation practices of the Company and its Subsidiaries or shall provide, or cause the Company or its
Subsidiaries to provide, benefits and compensation practices to
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are substantially similar in the aggregate to the benefits provided under the
Benefit Plans and compensation practices applicable to such employees
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable immediately prior to the Closing. (c) The Buyer shall assume the
obligation to pay to the employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries any bonuses, to the extent such bonuses are accrued, that
would have been payable to the
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs, in accordance
with the provisions of the policy, plan, arrangement, program,
practice or agreement under which any such bonuses would have been paid in accordance with past practices. (d) From and after the Closing
Date, the Buyer shall be responsible for complying with the continuation coverage requirements of Section 4980B of the Code with
respect to all qualifying
events (as such term is defined in Section 4980B of the Code) occurring prior to, or on or after, the Closing Date with
respect to any current or former covered employee (as such term is defined
in Section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any related qualified beneficiary (as such term is
defined in Section 4980B of the Code), including, for the avoidance of
doubt, those former covered employees (and their qualified beneficiaries) who terminate their employment with the Company and its
Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date. (e) From and after the Closing
Date, and to the extent not otherwise addressed in the foregoing Section 6.12(d), the Buyer shall be responsible with respect to
current and former employees of
the A-40
Company and its Subsidiaries and their beneficiaries (including, for the
avoidance of doubt, those former employees (and their beneficiaries) who terminate their employment with the Company and
its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date) for compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, and
any other applicable Law, including any requirement to provide
for and discharge any and all notifications, benefits and liabilities to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
Governmental Authorities that might be imposed as a result of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise. 6.13 Officers and
Directors. (a) The Company shall use its
reasonable efforts to deliver to the Buyer the resignations of all members of the Board of Directors of the Company requested by the
Buyer at least three Business
Days prior to the Closing from their positions as directors of the Company immediately prior to the Closing. (b) The Buyer agrees that, for a
period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, neither the Existing Operating Agreement nor any other comparable organizational
instruments of the Companys
Subsidiaries shall be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of
individuals who on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date
are or were directors, officers, agents or employees of the Company, any of their respective Subsidiaries or otherwise entitled to
indemnification, advancement of expenses or exculpation pursuant to
the Existing Operating Agreement or any other comparable organizational instrument of the Companys Subsidiaries (each a
Director and/or Officer Indemnified Party). (c) Without limiting any additional
rights that any Person may have under the Existing Operating Agreement or any other comparable organizational instrument of the
Companys Subsidiaries or
any other Contract, but without duplication thereof, from the Effective Time through the sixth anniversary of the date on which the
Effective Time occurs, the Buyer shall, or shall cause the
Surviving LLC to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Director and/or Officer Indemnified Parties from and against any and all
losses, liabilities or damages and reasonable attorneys fees, court
costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or
pertaining to (i) the fact that the Director and/or Officer Indemnified Party is or was an officer, director, employee, fiduciary
or agent, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the Company, or any of its
Subsidiaries or (ii) the Director and/or Officer Indemnified Partys service, at or prior to the Effective Time, at the
request of, or to represent the interests of, the Company as a director, officer,
partner, member, trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
company, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise including any
charitable or not-for-profit public service organization or trade association or (iii) matters existing or occurring at or prior to
the Effective Time (including this Agreement and the transactions and
actions contemplated hereby), whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted
under applicable Law. In the event of any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation, in addition to any rights provided in the Surviving LLCs organizational instruments, (x) subject
to applicable Law, each Director and/or Officer Indemnified Party will be
entitled to advancement of reasonable expenses (including attorneys fees and disbursements) incurred in the defense of any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation from the Buyer or the
Surviving LLC within 10 Business Days of receipt by the Buyer or the Surviving LLC from the Director and/or Officer Indemnified
Party of a request therefor; provided that any Person to whom
expenses are advanced provides an undertaking, if and only to the extent required by applicable Law, to repay such advances if it
is ultimately determined that such Person is not entitled to
indemnification and (y) neither the Buyer nor the Surviving LLC shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in
any proceeding or threatened action, suit, proceeding,
investigation or claim (and in which indemnification could be sought by such Director and/or Officer Indemnified Party hereunder)
unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an
unconditional release of such Director and/or Officer Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action, suit,
A-41
proceeding, investigation or claim or such Director and/or Officer Indemnified
Party otherwise consents. (d) The Buyer agrees that, for a
period of six (6) years from the Closing Date, (i) the Buyer shall, or shall cause the Surviving LLC to, obtain extended reporting or
tail coverage on, obtain a
substitute directors and officers liability insurance policy for, or continue to maintain, the directors and
officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company as of the date hereof for the
benefit of those persons who are covered by such policy immediately prior to the Closing and (ii) the Buyer shall continue to
maintain the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained
by the Buyer as of the date hereof for the benefit of those persons who are covered by such policy immediately prior to the
Closing, in each case, on terms and conditions that are, in the aggregate,
no less favorable to the insured with respect to claims arising from acts or omissions arising prior to and including the Closing
than are currently in effect; provided, that such extended reporting or
tail coverage or substitute or existing policy can be obtained and maintained on commercially reasonable terms and at a cost to the
Company or the Buyer, as applicable, not greater than 200 percent
of the aggregate annual premium for the directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company or
the Buyer, as applicable, on the date hereof; provided, further, that if the
annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such amount, the Buyer shall be obligated to obtain policies with the greatest
coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount. (e) The Buyer agrees that, if the
Surviving LLC merges into, consolidates with, is converted into or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another
Person, then and in each such case, the
Buyer shall make proper provision so that the surviving or resulting Person or the transferee in such transaction (i) provides
rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to the Director
and/or Officer Indemnified Parties on terms not materially less favorable to the Director and/or Officer Indemnified Parties than
those contained in the Existing Operating Agreement and (ii)
assumes the obligations of the Buyer and the Surviving LLC under this Section 6.13. (f) Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, if any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before, at or after the Effective Time) is
made against any Director
and/or Officer Indemnified Party on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the provisions of this Section 6.13
shall continue in effect until the final disposition of such claim, action,
suit, proceeding or investigation. 6.14 Release. Effective as
of the Closing Date, Buyer and the Surviving LLC, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and each of their
respective successors and assigns (each, a
Releasor), hereby releases, acquits and forever discharges, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each of the
Members, managers and each of their respective past or present officers, directors,
employees, stockholders, partners, members, managers and each of their successors and assigns (each, a Releasee)
of, from and against any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands,
damages, judgments, debts, dues and suits of every kind, nature and description whatsoever, which such Releasor or its successors
or assigns ever had, now has or may have with respect to any acts or
omissions prior to the Closing Date of any such Releasee with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than for
fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct and the matter referred to in
Item 2 of Section 6.1(b)(ix) of the Company Disclosure Letter (which will be assigned to the Members prior to the Closing) which
shall not be released pursuant to this Section 6.14. Each Releasor
agrees not to assert any claim covered by this Section 6.14 against any Releasee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Releasor
retains, and does not release, its rights and interests under the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement. 6.15 Tax Matters.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree and acknowledge that (a) Triarc Companies, Inc.
and/or Gregory H. Sachs has been, and
shall continue to be for all taxable years of the Company that end on or before the Closing Date, the Tax Matters Partner (as such
term is defined in the Existing Operating Agreement) of the
Company and shall continue to have, with respect to such periods, all the rights, obligations and authority granted to it or him,
as applicable, as Tax Matters Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 of the
Existing Operating Agreement, (b) the Sellers Representative shall prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed all Tax
Returns (including IRS Form 1065 and related schedules) and amended
Tax A-42
Returns of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any taxable year that
ends on or before the Closing Date and shall make a Section 754 election with respect to the Company effective for the
taxable year that ends on the Closing Date, (c) each income Tax Return (if any) that includes but does not end on the Closing Date
shall be prepared and filed by the Buyer and presented to the
Sellers Representative for its review at least 30 days before the date on which such Tax Return is required to be filed
(taking into account any applicable extensions), and no such Tax Return or
amended Tax Return shall be filed without the prior written consent of the Sellers Representative (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld), (d) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the parties
shall treat the Merger as a fully taxable sale of Membership Interests by the holders thereof and a purchase of Membership
Interests by the owners of Buyer Sub, file all Tax Returns in a manner
consistent with such treatment and take no position contrary thereto unless required to do so by a change in applicable Tax Laws or
a good faith resolution of a Tax contest, and (e) any and all Tax
allocation or Tax sharing agreements between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the
other hand, shall be terminated as of the Closing Date and,
from and after the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be obligated to make any payment pursuant to
any such agreement for any past or future period. 6.16 Financing. (a) Each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain an executed commitment letter from one or more financial institutions in form
and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Sellers Representative (the Debt Commitment Letter) to
provide the Buyer and Buyer Sub with debt financing in an amount sufficient to satisfy all of
the Buyers and Buyer Subs obligations under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (x) to pay the full
amount of the payments due at the Closing, (y) to refinance any Debt of
the Company to be refinanced and pay all fees, penalties and premiums related thereto, and (z) to pay all expenses in connection
with the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby (the Financing). Each of the Buyer and Buyer Sub shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
arrange the Financing as promptly as practicable on the terms and conditions described in
the Debt Commitment Letter, including using commercially reasonable efforts to (i) negotiate definitive agreements with respect
thereto on the terms and conditions contained in the Debt
Commitment Letter, (ii) satisfy on a timely basis all conditions applicable to the Buyer, Buyer Sub or any of their Affiliates in
such definitive agreements that are within their or such Affiliates
control and (iii) consummate the Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter at Closing. In the event any portion of the
Financing becomes unavailable on terms and conditions
consistent with the Debt Commitment Letter, the Buyer and Buyer Sub shall each use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
alternative financing, including from alternative sources, as
promptly as practicable following the occurrence of such event (the Alternative Debt Financing). The Buyer or
Buyer Sub shall give the Company prompt notice upon becoming aware of any
breach by any party of the Debt Commitment Letter or any termination of the Debt Commitment Letter. The Buyer or Buyer Sub shall
keep the Company informed on a current basis in reasonable
detail of the status of its efforts to arrange the Financing and shall not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or
any waiver of any provision of or remedy under, the Debt
Commitment Letter in any respect adverse and material, when taken as a whole, to the Company without the prior written consent of
the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed (it being understood that the Buyer may agree to amend the Debt Commitment Letter to provide for the assignment of a
portion of the debt commitment to additional agents or arrangers
and granting such persons approval rights with respect to certain matters as are customarily granted to additional agents or
arrangers). (b) The Company shall provide
reasonable cooperation in connection with the arrangement of the Financing as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer or Buyer Sub
(provided, that such
requested cooperation does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing business of the Company, cause any representation or
warranty in this Agreement to be breached, cause any closing condition
set forth in Article VIII to fail to be satisfied or otherwise cause the breach of this Agreement), including (i) participation in
meetings, drafting sessions and due diligence sessions, (ii) using
commercially reasonable efforts to furnish the Buyer or Buyer Sub and its financing sources with A-43
financial and other pertinent information regarding the Company as may be
reasonably requested by the Buyer or Buyer Sub, (iii) using commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Buyer, Buyer
Sub and its financing sources in the preparation of (A) an offering document for any of the Financing and (B) materials for rating
agency presentations, (iv) reasonably cooperating with the
marketing efforts of the Buyer, Buyer Sub and its financing sources for any of the Financing, (v) using commercially reasonable
efforts to provide and execute such documents as may be reasonably
requested by the Buyer or Buyer Sub, including a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with respect to solvency matters and consents of accountants for
use of their reports in an offering document relating to the Financing, (vi) using commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate
the pledging of collateral (vii) using commercially reasonable efforts to
participate in road shows with Buyer, Buyer Sub and its financing sources as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer
or Buyer Sub, and (viii) using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
accountants comfort letters and provide management representation letters relating to such comfort letters, as reasonably
requested by the Buyer or Buyer Sub. In no event shall the Company be
required to pay any commitment or similar fee, pledge any collateral, or incur any liability in connection with the Financing prior
to the Closing. The Buyer or Buyer Sub shall, promptly upon
request by the Company, reimburse the Company for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Company or its Affiliates in
connection with all such cooperation, including the fees and
expenses of outside legal counsel and auditors. Other than in the instance of fraud or intentional misrepresentation by the Company
or any of its Affiliates, the Buyer and Buyer Sub shall jointly and
severally indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its Affiliates and each of their representatives from and against any and all
liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards,
judgments and penalties suffered or incurred by them in connection with the arrangement of the Financing and any information
utilized in connection therewith. 6.17 Escrow Agreement;
Registration Rights Agreement; REIT Qualification Opinion. (a) On the Closing Date, the Buyer,
the Sellers Representative and the Escrow Agent shall enter into the Escrow Agreement and the Buyer shall deliver to the Escrow
Agent the Share
Indemnity Escrow Amount. (b) The parties hereto shall
perform or comply with their respective covenants and agreements under the Registration Rights Agreement that are required to be
performed or complied with on
or prior to the Closing Date. (c) The Buyer shall cause an
officer of the Buyer (on behalf of the Buyer) to make such representations and warranties as may be reasonably requested by Hunton
& Williams LLP as a condition
to the issuance of the opinion referred to in Section 8.11. 6.18 Modification of Existing
Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares. The Buyer, acting through its Board of Directors, shall take all actions
necessary or desirable to exempt, pursuant
to the Buyers Charter, the Members that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the
Effective Time, their respective Affiliates and the successive transferees of
any of the foregoing from the Stock Ownership Limit contained in the Buyers Charter to the extent necessary to
allow such Members, their respective Affiliates and the successive transferees of
any of the foregoing to own the Buyer Common Stock and/or options with respect thereto (i) issued to such Members pursuant to the
Stock Issuance, (ii) distributed to such Members pursuant to
Section 6.21, (iii) owned (or deemed owned pursuant to the Buyers Charter) by such Members immediately prior to the Effective
Time, (iv) issued by the Buyer to any of such Members, their
respective Affiliates and the successive transferees of any of the foregoing pursuant to options outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time or (v) otherwise issued by the Buyer or any of its
Affiliates to any director, officer or employee of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that the Board of
Directors of the Buyer (x) shall grant such waivers only to the extent it
receives such representations, covenants, and undertakings from such Members and their respective Affiliates and the permitted
successive transferees of any of the foregoing as the Board of
Directors of the Buyer reasonably deems appropriate and the Board of Directors of the Buyer is advised by Hunton & Williams LLP
or other nationally recognized REIT tax counsel that granting
such waivers will not jeopardize the Buyers qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and (y) shall A-44
not be required to reduce the percentage ownership limit applicable under the
Stock Ownership Limit in the Buyers Charter in connection with granting the waivers contemplated by this Section
6.18. 6.19 No Shop. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any of the Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
the Representatives) to, directly or indirectly, (i) discuss, negotiate, undertake, initiate, authorize,
recommend, propose or enter into, either as the proposed surviving, merged or acquired
corporation, any transaction involving a merger, consolidation, business combination or disposition of any material amount of
assets or any capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (an Acquisition Transaction),
(ii) solicit or initiate discussions, negotiations or submissions of proposals or offers
in respect of an Acquisition Transaction, (iii) furnish or cause to be furnished, to any Person, any information concerning the
business, operations, properties or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with an Acquisition Transaction or (iv) discuss, negotiate, undertake, initiate, authorize, recommend,
propose or enter into any other transaction that could reasonably
interfere with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall (and shall cause its Representatives to)
immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
discussions or negotiations with any Persons (other than Buyer) conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Transaction.
The Company agrees not to release any third party from the
confidentiality and standstill provisions of any agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. 6.20 Non-Competition;
Non-Solicitation. (a) For a period commencing on the
Closing Date and ending on, (x) in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below, the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (y)
in the case of clause (iv)
below, the third anniversary of the Closing Date, (the Restricted Period), the Sellers Representative
shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries (collectively, Restricted Persons) not to, directly or
indirectly: (i) own, manage, operate,
control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or render services to, any business, whether in
corporate, proprietorship or
partnership form or otherwise, that competes with the business of, or provides services similar to the services provided by, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a Restricted Business);
provided, however, that the restrictions contained in this Section 6.20(a)(i) shall not restrict the acquisition by the
Sellers Representative or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of
less than 5% of the outstanding capital stock of any publicly traded company engaged in a Restricted Business; (ii) take any action with
the intention of diverting from the Company or any controlled Affiliate of the Company any funds or investment accounts with respect
to which the Company
or any controlled Affiliate of the Company is providing Investment Management Services; (iii) solicit or attempt to
solicit any Person to cease doing business with the Company who, to the knowledge (whether actual knowledge or knowledge that such
Restricted Person should
have possessed under the circumstances) of such Restricted Person, is or has been a customer, supplier, licensor, licensee or other
business relation of the Company at any time (A) up to the
date hereof or (B) during the applicable Restricted Period; or (iv) induce, hire, employ,
attempt to hire or employ or solicit any person employed by or providing consulting services to the Company or any of its controlled
Affiliates or any person
who was employed by or providing consulting services to the Company or any of its controlled Affiliates during the 18 months
preceding such hiring or employment or attempted hiring or
employment (excluding for all purposes of this Section 6.20(a)(iv), secretaries, drivers and persons holding similar
positions). (b) The covenants and undertakings
contained in this Section 6.20 relate to matters which are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and a violation of any of
the terms of this Section
6.20 A-45
will cause irreparable injury to the Buyer, the amount of which will be
impossible to estimate or determine and which cannot be adequately compensated. Accordingly, the remedy at law for any
breach of this Section 6.20 will be inadequate. Therefore, the Buyer will be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or other
equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in the event of
any breach of this Section 6.20 without the necessity of proving actual damages or posting any bond whatsoever. The rights and
remedies provided by this Section 6.20 are cumulative and in addition
to any other rights and remedies which the Buyer may have hereunder or at law or in equity. (c) The parties hereto agree that,
if any court of competent jurisdiction in a final nonappealable judgment determines that a specified time period, a specified
geographical area, a specified
business limitation or any other relevant feature of this Section 6.20 is unreasonable, arbitrary or against public policy, then a
lesser time period, geographical area, business limitation or other
relevant feature which is determined by such court to be reasonable, not arbitrary and not against public policy may be enforced
against the applicable party. (d) For the avoidance of doubt,
Restricted Persons shall not be deemed to include any Person other than the Sellers Representative and its
Subsidiaries and shall not be deemed to include (by
way of illustration and not limitation) Trian Fund Management, L.P. or any funds and accounts managed by it, or any other Affiliate
of the Sellers Representative that is not a Subsidiary of the
Sellers Representative. 6.21 Distribution and Vesting of
Buyer Common Stock. The Company shall distribute, immediately prior to the Effective Time, to each Member that holds issued and
outstanding Membership
Interests at such time, in accordance with such Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interests, all of the shares of Buyer Common
Stock that are held by the Company and its Subsidiaries at such time
(other than any such shares that have been granted as restricted stock awards to employees of DCM); provided, that no fractional
shares of Buyer Common Stock shall be distributed to any such
Member and each such Members allocable portion of such distribution shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of
shares of Buyer Common Stock. The Company and the Buyer shall
take such actions as are necessary to accelerate the vesting and transferability of such shares of Buyer Common Stock so that such
shares shall be fully vested and transferable under the Deerfield
Triarc Capital Corp. Stock Incentive Plan and related stock award agreements as of the time immediately prior to their distribution
as provided in the preceding sentence. 6.22 DFP
Transaction. (a) In the event that, at any time
after the date hereof and prior to the Closing, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries engages in a capital markets or other
transaction with respect to DFP
(including a sale or other disposition of all or a portion of the assets of DFP) then the Company shall distribute to the Members
(pro rata in proportion to their respective Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests), (i) first, the amount of any actual out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
after the date hereof in connection with DFP, and (ii) second, one-
half of the first $10,000,000 of gross proceeds received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from such transaction. In the
event that, at any time from and after the Closing, the Surviving LLC
or any of its Subsidiaries engages in a capital markets or other transaction with respect to DFP (including a sale or other
disposition of all or a portion of the assets of DFP) then the Surviving LLC
shall (i) pay to the Members that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time
(pro rata in proportion to their respective Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests), on the one hand, and the Buyer on the other hand, the amount of any out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and prior
to the Closing and by the Surviving LLC or any of its Subsidiaries from and after the Closing, in each case, in connection with
DFP, pro rata in proportion to the respective amounts so incurred, and
(ii) the Surviving LLC shall pay to the Members that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to
the Effective Time (pro rata in proportion to their respective Fully
Diluted Percentage Interests) one-half of the first $10,000,000 of gross proceeds received by the Surviving LLC or any of its
Subsidiaries from such transaction. (b) The Company acknowledges and
agrees that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Surviving LLC shall have authority, in its sole and absolute discretion, to determine
whether, and under what A-46
conditions, it or DFP shall engage in a capital markets or other transaction
with respect to DFP (including a sale or other disposition of all or a portion of the assets of DFP) and the Sellers
Representative shall not be granted hereunder any right whatsoever to determine or influence in any way, or consent to or approve
of, whether or under what conditions the Surviving LLC or DFP
shall engage in a capital markets or other transaction with respect to DFP (including a sale or other disposition of all or a
portion of the assets of DFP). 6.23 Permissible Activities.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to prevent the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, at any
time prior to the close of business on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date, from (a) paying or making distributions of
cash, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 6.1(b)(xvi); (b)
making, accepting or settling intercompany loans or advances or prepaying any amounts owing under the Revolving Note, dated
February 2, 2006, by and between DCM and Fifth Third Bank (as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time); or (c) engaging in any other transaction incident to the normal
cash management procedures of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
including short-term investments in time-deposits, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances made in the ordinary
course of business. ARTICLE VII The obligation of the Buyer and
Buyer Sub to enter into and complete the Closing is subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions, any one or more of
which may be waived by the Buyer: 7.1 HSR Act Filings. Any
Person required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to file a notification and report form in compliance with the
HSR Act shall have filed such
form and the applicable waiting period with respect to each such form (including any extension thereof by reason of a request for
additional information) shall have expired or been terminated. 7.2 Stockholder Approval.
The Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained. 7.3 Proxy Statement. No
order suspending the use of the Proxy Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated
or threatened in writing by the SEC
or its staff. 7.4 No Orders. No Order
enjoining or prohibiting the Company, the Buyer or Buyer Sub from consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been entered, and no
action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been initiated or threatened by any Governmental Authority at any time prior
to the Closing seeking to restrain or prohibit, or seeking damages or
other relief in connection with, the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. 7.5 Accuracy of Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement (as such representations and
warranties would read if all
limitations or qualifications therein as to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect (or similar concept) were deleted
therefrom) shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date as
though made on and as of that date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a
specific date, as of such specific date), except for any failures to be true
and correct which would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. 7.6 Performance of Covenants and
Agreements. The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement required
to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing. 7.7 Certificate. The Company
shall have furnished the Buyer with a certificate (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer) signed by an
authorized officer of the Company to the
effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 7.5 and 7.6 have been satisfied. 7.8 No Company Material Adverse
Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has suffered any event, change,
occurrence or circumstance in A-47
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF
THE BUYER AND BUYER SUB TO CLOSE
the financial condition, business, results of operations, properties or assets
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or
circumstances, has had or would reasonably be determined to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. 7.9 Client Consents. The
Company shall have obtained, or shall have caused DCM to obtain, prior to the Closing, Client Consents in accordance with Section 6.8
with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement from Clients existing as of the date hereof and Pipeline Funds, if any, that have closed prior to
the Closing, that constituted in the aggregate at least eighty percent
(80%) of the sum of (i) the Base Date AUM (excluding for all purposes of such computation the portion of Base Date AUM attributable
to any such Clients the outstanding securities of which are
redeemed in full prior to the Closing) and (ii) the aggregate assets under management by DCM of such Pipeline Funds as of the date
on which the closing occurs for such Pipeline Fund. 7.10 Escrow
Agreement. The Sellers Representative shall have duly executed and delivered the Escrow Agreement to the Buyer. 7.11 Financing. Buyer and
Buyer Sub shall have received the amount of Financing set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter as a result of funding thereunder or as
a result of funding under any
Alternative Debt Financing. 7.12 Satisfaction of Put
Right. In the event that one or more Sachs Affiliated Parties (as defined in the Existing Operating Agreement) exercises its put
right in accordance with Section 9.11(e)(iv)
of the Existing Operating Agreement, the closing of the purchase and sale of Membership Interests required as a result of such
exercise shall have occurred without liability to the Buyer, Buyer Sub,
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. 7.13 Investment Banking Firm
Determination. If applicable, the Investment Banking Firm Determination shall have been completed. ARTICLE VIII The obligation of the Company to
enter into and complete the Closing is subject to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any
one or more of which may be
waived by the Company: 8.1 HSR Act Filings. Any
Person required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby to file a notification and report form in compliance with the
HSR Act shall have filed such
form and the applicable waiting period with respect to each such form (including any extension thereof by reason of a request for
additional information) shall have expired or been terminated. 8.2 Stockholder Approval.
The Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained. 8.3 NYSE Listing. The shares
of Buyer Common Stock to be issued to holders of Membership Interests issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective
Time pursuant to the
Merger shall have been authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. 8.4 Proxy Statement. No
order suspending the use of the Proxy Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated
or threatened in writing by the SEC
or its staff. 8.5 No Orders. No Order
enjoining or prohibiting the Company, the Buyer or Buyer Sub from consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been entered, and no
action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been initiated or threatened by any Governmental Authority at any time prior
to the Closing seeking to restrain or prohibit, or seeking damages or
other relief in connection with, the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. 8.6 Accuracy of Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Buyer and Buyer Sub contained in this Agreement (as such
representations and warranties would read
if all limitations or qualifications therein as to materiality or Buyer Material Adverse Effect (or similar concept) were deleted
therefrom) shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date as A-48
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF
THE COMPANY TO CLOSE
though made on and as of that date (or, if any such representation or warranty
is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date), except for any failures to be true
and correct which would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially prevent, impair or delay the ability of the Buyer or
Buyer Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. 8.7 Performance of Covenants and
Agreements. The Buyer and Buyer Sub each shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and
agreements contained in this
Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the Closing. 8.8 Certificate. The Buyer
shall have furnished the Company with a certificate (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company) signed by an
authorized officer of the Buyer to the
effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 8.6 and 8.7 have been satisfied. 8.9 No Buyer Material Adverse
Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, neither the Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries has suffered any event, change,
occurrence or circumstance in the financial
condition, business, results of operations, properties or assets of the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in
the aggregate with any such events, changes, occurrences or circumstances,
has had or would reasonably be determined to have a Buyer Material Adverse Effect. 8.10 Registration Statement.
The registration statement contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement shall have been declared effective under the Securities
Act, and no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending
before or threatened by the SEC. 8.11 REIT Qualification
Opinion. The Buyer shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of Hunton & Williams LLP, dated as of the Closing Date,
to the effect that (a) commencing with
its taxable year ended December 31, 2004, and for each taxable year ended through December 31, 2006, the Buyer has been organized
and operated in conformity with the requirements for
qualification and taxation as a REIT and (b) the Buyers organization and current and proposed method of operation (including
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and after
the consummation thereof) will enable it to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for its
taxable year ending December 31, 2007 and in the future. 8.12 Modification of Existing
Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership of Shares. The Buyer shall have taken all actions necessary or desirable to exempt,
pursuant to the Buyers Charter, the
Members that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, their respective
Affiliates and the successive transferees of any of the foregoing from
the Stock Ownership Limit contained in the Buyers Charter to the extent necessary to allow such Members, their
respective Affiliates and the successive transferees of any of the foregoing to own
the Buyer Common Stock and/or options with respect thereto (i) issued to such Members pursuant to the Stock Issuance, (ii)
distributed to such Members pursuant to Section 6.21, (iii) owned (or
deemed owned pursuant to the Buyers Charter) by such Members immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iv) issued by the
Buyer to any of such Members, their respective Affiliates and the
successive transferees of any of the foregoing pursuant to options outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time or (v)
otherwise issued by the Buyer or any of its Affiliates to any director,
officer or employee of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates. 8.13 Name Change. The Buyer
shall have taken the actions required by Section 6.11(b). 8.14 Escrow Agreement. The
Buyer shall have duly executed and delivered the Escrow Agreement to the Sellers Representative. 8.15 Satisfaction of Put
Right. In the event that one or more Sachs Affiliated Parties or Roberts Affiliated Parties (each, as defined in the Existing
Operating Agreement) exercises its put right in
accordance with Section 9.11 of the Existing Operating Agreement, the closing of the purchase and sale of Membership Interests
required as a result of such exercise shall have occurred and all other
conditions related to such exercise shall have been satisfied. 8.16 Investment Banking Firm
Determination. If applicable, the Investment Baking Firm Determination shall have been completed. A-49
ARTICLE IX 9.1 Appointment of Sellers
Representative. Pursuant to the Member Written Consent, the Sellers Representative (including its successors and assigns)
is appointed, authorized and empowered to
be the exclusive proxy, representative, agent and attorney-in-fact of each of the Members, with full power of substitution, to give
and receive notices and communications, to take any and all action
on behalf of the Members pursuant to this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and in connection
with the Indemnity Escrow Fund, including but not limited to
asserting, prosecuting or settling any claim against the Buyer or Buyer Sub, defending or settling any claim asserted by the Buyer
or Buyer Sub, and otherwise to act and execute, deliver and receive
all documents, instruments and consents on behalf of such Members at any time after the date hereof, in connection with, and that
may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intent and
implement the provisions of, this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, and to facilitate the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
and in connection with the activities to be performed by or on behalf of such Members under this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement, and each other
agreement, document, instrument or certificate referred to herein or therein. By executing this Agreement, the Sellers
Representative accepts such appointment, authority and power. Notwithstanding
anything in this Article IX to the contrary, the Sellers Representative shall not be authorized in its capacity as the
Sellers Representative to take any action that has a disproportionate affect on a
Member without the consent of such Member. 9.2 Authority. The
appointment of the Sellers Representative by each such Member is coupled with an interest and may not be revoked in whole or in
part (including, upon the death or
incapacity of any such Member). Such appointment shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, estates, personal
representatives, officers, directors, securityholders, successors and assigns
of each of the Members. With respect to any matter contemplated by this Article IX, the Members shall be bound by any and all
determinations by or against the Sellers Representative or the terms
of any settlement or release to which the Sellers Representative shall become a party. 9.3 Limitation of Liability.
The parties hereto understand and agree that the Sellers Representative is acting solely on behalf of and as agent for the
Members and not in its personal capacity,
and in no event shall the Sellers Representative be personally liable to the Members hereunder except in the case of willful
misconduct or gross negligence. The Sellers Representative shall not be
liable for any act done or omitted hereunder as Sellers Representative unless the Sellers Representative engaged in
willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Members severally and not jointly
agree to indemnify the Sellers Representative, on a pro rata basis based on the respective amounts paid to the Members
pursuant to Section 3.2(a), for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the
fees and expenses of counsel to the Sellers Representative), which may
at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Sellers Representative in any way relating to or arising out
of this Agreement or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein
or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof; provided,
however, that no Member shall be liable for any of the foregoing to
the extent they arise from the Sellers Representatives gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided, further, that
no Member shall be liable for any of the foregoing in excess of the amounts paid
to such Member pursuant to Section 3.2(a). The Sellers Representative shall be fully justified in refusing to take or to
continue to take any action hereunder unless it shall first be fully indemnified
to its reasonable satisfaction by the Members against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of
taking or continuing to take any such action. 9.4 Reliance. From and after
the Effective Time, each of the Buyer and the Surviving LLC is entitled to deal exclusively with the Sellers Representative on
all matters relating to this Agreement,
the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (to the extent provided therein) and agrees to deal with the
Sellers Representative on an exclusive basis. A decision, act, A-50
SELLERS REPRESENTATIVE
consent or instruction of the Sellers Representative shall constitute a
decision of all the Members and none of the Company, the Surviving LLC or the Buyer shall have any liability for any action of,
or omission by, the Sellers Representative in its capacity as such. Such decision, act, consent or instruction is final,
binding and conclusive upon each Member, and no such Member shall have the
right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. The Buyer and the Surviving LLC may rely upon any decision, act,
consent or instruction of the Sellers Representative. From and after
the date hereof, notices or communications to or from the Sellers Representative will constitute notice or communications to
or from each of the Members. 9.5 Successor to Sellers
Representative. In the event of the failure, inability or refusal of Triarc Companies, Inc. (or any successor) to act as
Sellers Representative hereunder, the Members shall
promptly fill such a vacancy by approval of the majority of the Members (assuming the voting rights of the Members in effect
immediately prior to the Merger). 9.6 Expenses. The
Sellers Representative is authorized by the Members to incur expenses on behalf of the Members in acting hereunder (including
the reasonable expenses of counsel to the
Sellers Representative). The Members severally and not jointly agree to reimburse the Sellers Representative on demand
for their pro rata share (based on the respective amounts paid to the
Members pursuant to Section 3.2(a)) of all fees, costs and expenses incurred by or at the direction of the Sellers
Representative for the benefit of the Members hereunder including, for all fees, costs
and expenses incurred by the Sellers Representative pursuant to this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement. The Sellers Representative shall first seek
reimbursement of any such fees, costs and expenses from the Sellers Representative Expense Fund. ARTICLE X 10.1 Termination. This
Agreement may not be terminated prior to the Closing, except as follows: (a) by mutual agreement of the
Buyer and the Company; (b) at the election of the Buyer or
the Company upon prior written notice, if any one or more of the conditions set forth in Article VII or Article VIII respectively
(other than those that by
their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing) has not been fulfilled as of the close of business on the date that is six (6)
months following the date of this Agreement (the Outside Date); provided,
however, that the party whose conduct substantially results in the failure of such condition to be fulfilled may not be the
terminating party; (c) by the Buyer or the Company if
the Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at a Stockholders Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof at which
the vote was taken; (d) by the Company if the Buyer
shall not have obtained an executed Debt Commitment Letter on or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days following the date of
this Agreement. (e) by the Buyer or the Company if
the Buyer shall not have obtained an executed Debt Commitment Letter on or prior to the date that is sixty (60) days following the
date of this Agreement. (f) at the election of the Buyer or
the Company upon prior written notice, if any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority shall have issued a
final Order or taken any
other final action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
such Order or other action is or shall have become non-appealable; or (g) at the election of the Company
or the Buyer, upon prior written notice, if there has been an inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty, or breach of
any covenant or
agreement, made by the Buyer or Buyer Sub, on the one hand, or the Company, on the other hand, contained in this Agreement, which
inaccuracy or breach (i) would give rise to a failure of a
condition set forth in Articles VII or VIII, as applicable, and (ii) has not been cured by the party in breach prior to the earlier
to occur of (x) 20 Business Days after such partys receipt of written
notice of such A-51
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
breach and (y) the Outside Date; provided, however, that no party that is then
in material breach of this Agreement may terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(g). 10.2 Survival After
Termination. If this Agreement terminates pursuant to Section 10.1 and the transactions contemplated hereby are not
consummated, (a) this Agreement shall become
null and void and have no further force or effect, except that any such termination shall be without prejudice to the rights of any
party on account of the
intentional or willful breach or violation of the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of another party under this
Agreement; (b) notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of Section Section 6.3, Section 6.4, this Section 10.2 and Article XI shall survive
any termination of this Agreement;
and (c) the Buyer shall promptly return
to the Company all books and records and all other information furnished by or on behalf of the Company, its agents, employees or
representatives (including
all copies, if any) and shall not use or disclose the information contained in such books and records for any purpose or make such
information available to any other Person. ARTICLE XI 11.1 Survival of Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the parties contained in Articles IV and V of this Agreement shall survive
the Closing until the first
anniversary of the Closing Date (the Survival Period); provided, however, that any obligations to indemnify and
hold harmless shall not terminate with respect to any Losses as to which the Person
to be indemnified shall have given notice (stating in reasonable detail the basis of the claim for indemnification) to the
indemnifying party in accordance with Section 11.10 before the termination of
the Survival Period. 11.2
Indemnification. (a) Subject to Section 11.4 hereof,
the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Buyer and its directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, agents, attorneys,
representatives, successors and
assigns (collectively, the Buyer Indemnified Parties) harmless from and against: (i) any and all Losses based
upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any representation or warranty of the Company set forth in this Agreement to
be true and correct in all
respects at the date hereof and at the Closing Date (except where the Companys representations and warranties are given as of
any other applicable date in which case such representation
and warranty shall be correct as of such date); (ii) any and all Losses
based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of the Company under this
Agreement; (iii) any Unpaid Expenses
that are Other Expenses required to be paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) any and all Losses
based upon, attributable to or resulting from any claim asserted by any Member that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests
as of immediately prior to
the Effective Time that the allocation of the Closing Date Aggregate Cash Consideration and the Closing Date Aggregate Share
Consideration to such Member as provided for in this
Agreement violates the terms of the Existing Operating Agreement; (v) any and all Taxes of or
attributable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date and for the
pre-Closing portion of any
taxable period that includes, but does not end on, the Closing Date (a Straddle Period) and all Taxes
attributable to any inclusion under Section 951 of the Code by the Buyer or its
Affiliates at the end of the taxable year of a Subsidiary of the Company that includes the Closing Date arising out of any income
accrued by such Subsidiary on or before the Closing Date.
With respect to any Straddle Period, (i) Taxes, other than those A-52
SURVIVAL; INDEMNIFICATION; MISCELLANEOUS
referred to in clause (ii) below, attributable to
the pre-Closing portion shall be determined by means of a closing of the books and records of the Company as of the close of business
on the
Closing Date, provided that exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis (including depreciation and
amortization deductions) shall be allocated between the
period ending on the Closing Date and the period after the Closing Date in proportion to the number of days in such period, and
(ii) property Taxes and ad valorem Taxes attributable to a
Straddle Period shall be allocated between the period ending on the Closing Date and the period after the Closing Date in
proportion to the number of days in each such period; and (vi) any and all notices,
actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, assessments, judgments, costs, penalties and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys and other professionals fees
and disbursements (collectively, Indemnifiable Expenses) incident to any and all Losses with respect to which
indemnification is provided hereunder. (b) Subject to Section 11.4, Buyer
hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the Members that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the
Effective Time and
their respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, agents, attorneys, representatives, successors and assigns
(collectively, the Company Indemnified Parties) harmless from and against: (i) any and all Losses based
upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any representation or warranty of Buyer set forth in this Agreement, to be
true and correct at the date
hereof and at the Closing Date (except where the Buyers representations and warranties are given as of any other applicable
date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be
correct as of such date); (ii) any and all Losses
based upon, attributable to or resulting from the breach of any covenant or other agreement on the part of Buyer under this
Agreement; and (iii) any and all
Indemnifiable Expenses incident to any and all Losses with respect to which indemnification is provided hereunder. (c) The right to indemnification or
any other remedy based on representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document shall not
be affected by any
investigation conducted at any time, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date,
with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement. The
waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any representation
or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any such covenant or agreements, will not affect the right to
indemnification or any other remedy based on such representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements. 11.3 Indemnification
Procedures. (a) The rights of the Company as
the indemnifying party under this Section 11.3 shall be exercised by the Sellers Representative. In the event that any Legal
Proceedings shall be instituted or
that any claim or demand shall be asserted by any Person in respect of which payment may be sought under Section 11.2 hereof
(regardless of the limitations set forth in Section 11.4) (an
Indemnification Claim), the indemnified party shall reasonably and promptly (and in any event within twenty (20)
Business Days or sooner, if the nature of the Indemnification Claim so requires)
cause written notice of the assertion of any Indemnification Claim of which it has knowledge which is covered by this indemnity to
be forwarded to the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party
shall have the right, at its sole expense, to be represented by counsel of its choice, and to defend against, negotiate, settle or
otherwise deal with any Indemnification Claim which relates to any
Losses indemnified against hereunder; provided that the indemnifying party shall have acknowledged in writing to the indemnified
party its obligation to assume the defense of any Indemnification
Claim as provided hereunder. If the indemnifying party elects to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any
Indemnification Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against
hereunder, it shall within twenty (20) Business Days (or sooner, if the nature of the Indemnification Claim so requires) notify the
indemnified party of its intent to do so. If the indemnifying party A-53
elects not to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any
Indemnification Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder, fails to notify the indemnified party of its
election as herein provided or fails to acknowledge in writing its obligation to assume the defense of any Indemnification Claim as
herein provided, the indemnified party may defend against,
negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with such Indemnification Claim. If the indemnified party defends any Indemnification Claim as
provided in this Section 11.3(a), then the indemnifying party shall
reimburse the indemnified party for the Indemnifiable Expenses of defending such Indemnification Claim upon submission of periodic
bills. If the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of any
Indemnification Claim, the indemnified party may participate, at his or its own expense, in the defense of such Indemnification
Claim; provided, however, that such indemnified party shall be entitled
to participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party if (i) so requested by the
indemnifying party to participate or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of
counsel to the indemnified party a conflict or potential conflict exists between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party
that would make such separate representation advisable; and provided,
further, that the indemnifying party shall not be required to pay for more than one such counsel for all indemnified parties in
connection with any Indemnification Claim. The parties hereto agree to
cooperate fully with each other in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Indemnification Claim.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11.3 to the contrary, neither the
indemnifying party nor the indemnified party shall, without the written consent of the other party, settle or compromise any
Indemnification Claim or permit a default or consent to entry of any
judgment unless the claimant and such party provide to such other party an unqualified release from all liability in respect of the
Indemnification Claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a settlement
offer solely for money damages is made by the applicable third party claimant, and the indemnifying party notifies the indemnified
party in writing of the indemnifying partys willingness to accept
the settlement offer and, subject to the applicable limitations of Section 11.4, pay the amount called for by such offer, and the
indemnified party declines to accept such offer, the indemnified party
may continue to contest such Indemnification Claim, free of any participation by the indemnifying party, and the amount of any
ultimate liability with respect to such Indemnification Claim that the
indemnifying party has an obligation to pay hereunder shall be limited to the lesser of (A) the amount of the settlement offer that
the indemnified party declined to accept plus the Losses of the
indemnified party relating to such Indemnification Claim through the date of its rejection of the settlement offer or (B) the
aggregate Losses of the indemnified party with respect to such
Indemnification Claim. If the indemnifying party makes any payment on any Indemnification Claim, the indemnifying party shall be
subrogated, to the extent of such payment, to all rights and
remedies of the indemnified party to any insurance benefits or other claims of the indemnified party with respect to such
Indemnification Claim. (b) After any final judgment or
award shall have been rendered by a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of the time in which to
appeal therefrom, or a
settlement shall have been consummated, or the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have arrived at a mutually
binding agreement with respect to an Indemnification Claim hereunder,
the indemnified party shall forward to the indemnifying party notice of any sums due and owing by the indemnifying party pursuant
to this Agreement with respect to such matter and the
indemnifying party shall be required to pay all of the sums so due and owing to the indemnified party by wire transfer of
immediately available funds within ten (10) Business Days after the date of
such notice. (c) The failure of the indemnified
party to give reasonably prompt notice of any Indemnification Claim shall not release, waive or otherwise affect the indemnifying
partys obligations with
respect thereto except to the extent that the indemnifying party can demonstrate actual loss and prejudice as a result of such
failure. 11.4 Limitations on
Indemnification. (a) An indemnifying party shall not
have any liability under Section 11.2(a)(i), Section 11.2(a)(v) (other than in respect of income or franchise Taxes) or Section
11.2(b)(i) hereof unless and until
the aggregate amount of Taxes, Losses and Indemnifiable Expenses to the indemnified parties determined to arise thereunder which,
in the case of any liability under Section 11.2(a)(i) or Section
11.2(b)(i), are based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any representation A-54
or warranty to be true and correct (unless such failure is the result of the
indemnifying partys fraud or willful misconduct), other than the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1,
4.2(a), 4.3, 4.4, 4.21 and 5.1, 5.2(a), 5.3, 5.4 and 5.11 hereof and the representations and warranties related to income and
franchise Taxes set forth in Section 4.18 hereof, exceeds $2,900,000 (the
BASKET), in which case, only the Taxes, Losses and Indemnifiable Expenses in excess of such amount of Tax, Loss
and Indemnifiable Expenses shall be covered. (b) The Company shall not be
required to indemnify any Person for an aggregate amount of Taxes, Losses and Indemnifiable Expenses above the amount contained in
the Indemnity Escrow
Fund, and Buyer shall not be required to indemnify any Person for an aggregate amount of Indemnifiable Expenses and Losses above an
amount equal to $37,700,000. (c) For purposes of calculating
Losses hereunder (but not for purposes of determining whether a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement has
occurred), any materiality or
material adverse effect qualifications in the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall be ignored. (d) To the extent that an
indemnified party has recovered all or any portion of its Losses with respect to any matter arising under one provision of this
Agreement, such indemnified party shall
not be entitled to recover such portion of such Losses pursuant to other provisions of this Agreement. (e) The Company shall not be
required to indemnify any Person for any Taxes or any Losses or Indemnifiable Expenses related to Taxes in each case to the extent
such Taxes are Company
Expenses or are provided for on the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006
or were incurred in the ordinary course of business since the
Most Recent Balance Sheet Date. (f) Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Buyer shall not have any liability under Section 11.(b)(i) hereof for any Losses and
Indemnifiable Losses determined
to arise thereunder based upon, attributable to or resulting from the failure of any representation or warranty of the Buyer
contained in Article V to be true and correct to the extent that the failure
of any such representation or warranty to be true and correct arose from DCMs bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of its duties under the Management Agreement
prior to the Closing Date. 11.5 Indemnity Escrow. Any
payment the Company is obligated to make to any Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 11.2 shall be paid solely from the
Indemnity Escrow Fund in
accordance with the Escrow Agreement. Upon termination of the Survival Period, the Escrow Agent shall release all of (i) the then
existing amount of the Indemnity Escrow Fund to each Member
that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the Effective Time in accordance with such
Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interests, less (ii) the amount of
claims for indemnification under Section 11.2 asserted by the Buyer prior to the termination of the Survival Period but not yet
resolved (Unresolved Claims), and any unreleased amount shall be
retained by the Escrow Agent. The Indemnity Escrow Fund retained for Unresolved Claims shall be released by the Escrow Agent (to
the extent not utilized to pay Buyer for any such claims
resolved in favor of Buyer) to each Member that held issued and outstanding Membership Interests as of immediately prior to the
Effective Time in accordance with such Members Fully Diluted
Percentage Interests upon their resolution in accordance with Sections 11.1 through 11.8. 11.6 Tax Matters. The
parties agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to this Article XI as an adjustment to the Aggregate Merger Consideration
for all income Tax purposes unless
otherwise required by a change in applicable Tax Laws or a good faith resolution of a Tax contest. 11.7 Non-Recourse.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Representative or Affiliate of either party shall have any personal
liability to the other party or any A-55
other Person as a result of the breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant, agreement or obligation of such first party in this Agreement. 11.8 Exclusivity of
Indemnity. The indemnification provided in Section 11.2 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy after the Closing Date for damages
available to the parties to this Agreement
for breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement or in any certificate
delivered pursuant to this Agreement or any right, claim or action
arising from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than for fraud. The Buyer Indemnified Parties expressly waive,
release and agree not to make any claim against the Indemnity
Escrow Fund, except for indemnification claims made pursuant to Section 11.2, for the recovery of any costs or damages, whether
directly or by way of contribution, or for any other relief
whatsoever, under any applicable Laws, whether now existing or applicable or hereinafter enacted or applicable (including claims
for breach of contract, failure of disclosure, tortious wrongdoing or
violation of environmental or other securities Laws). 11.9 Consent to Jurisdiction;
Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Any claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any Federal court in the State of New York,
and each party agrees not to
assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such claim, that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of
such court, that the claim is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the
venue of the claim is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court. Each
party further irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such court in
any such claim. (b) Any and all service of process
and any other notice in any such claim shall be effective against any party if given personally or by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, or by
any other means of mail that requires a signed receipt, postage prepaid, mailed to such party as herein provided. Nothing herein
contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve
process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other
jurisdiction. (c) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED
AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL
BY JURY. (d) EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE WAIVER IN SECTION 11.9(C), (II) SUCH
PARTY
UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (III) SUCH PARTY MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) SUCH PARTY
HAS
BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS, AGREEMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN SECTION
11.9(C) AND
THIS SECTION 11.9(D). 11.10 Notices. Any notice or
other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the day of
delivery if delivered in
person, or if delivered by facsimile upon confirmation of receipt, (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if
delivered by a nationally recognized express courier service, or (c) on
the third Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below,
or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated by notice given in accordance with this Section 11.10 by the party to
receive such notice: A-56
(a) if to the Buyer or Buyer Sub,
to: Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. with a copy to (which shall not constitute
notice): Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (b) if to the Company prior to the
Closing, to: Deerfield & Company LLC with copies to (which shall not constitute
notice): Triarc Companies, Inc. and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
LLP (c) if to the Sellers
Representative, to: Triarc Companies, Inc. with a copy to (which shall not constitute
notice): Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
LLP 11.11 Entire Agreement. This
Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, the Company Disclosure Letter, the Buyer Disclosure
Letter and any other
collateral agreements executed in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, contain the entire
agreement among the parties with respect to the Merger and
supersede all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto. 11.12 Waivers and
Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified, and the terms hereof may be waived, whether before or after
the effectiveness of the Member A-57
c/o Peter
Rothschild
Daroth Capital Advisors LLC
750 Third Avenue, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212)
687-3200
767 Fifth
Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attention: Simeon Gold, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
6250 North
River Road, 8th Floor
Rosemont, IL 60018
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile: (771) 380-1695
280 Park
Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile: (212) 451-3216
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6064
Attention: Paul D. Ginsberg, Esq.
Facsimile: (212)
757-3990
280 Park
Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: General Counsel
Facsimile: (212) 451-3216
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6064
Attention: Paul D. Ginsberg, Esq.
Facsimile: (212)
757-3990
Written Consent, only by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto
prior to the Effective Time or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance; provided, that after the
effectiveness of the Member Written Consent, no such amendment, supplement or modification shall be made which by Law requires the
further approval of the Members without such further
approval; and provided, further, that after the Effective Time any amendment, supplement or modification of Sections
3.2(a),6.10(c), 6.11, 6.13, 6.14, 6.22, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7 and 11.8
must be consented in writing by the third party beneficiary thereof under Section 11.21. No delay on the part of any party in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any such right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial
exercise of any such right, power or privilege, preclude any further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power or privilege. 11.13 Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to any conflict of
laws rules thereof that might
indicate the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction, except to the extent that provisions of the ILLCA are mandatorily
applicable. 11.14 Binding Effect;
Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
assigns. This Agreement is not assignable by
any party without the prior written consent of the other parties. 11.15 Usage. All pronouns
and any variations thereof refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the context may require. All terms
defined in this Agreement in their
singular or plural forms have correlative meanings when used herein in their plural or singular forms, respectively. Unless
otherwise expressly provided, the words include, includes and
including do not limit the preceding words or terms and shall be deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation. 11.16 Articles and Sections.
All references herein to Articles and Sections shall be deemed references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall
otherwise require. The Article and
Section headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement. 11.17 Interpretation. The
parties acknowledge and agree that (a) each party and its counsel reviewed and negotiated the terms and provisions of this Agreement
and have contributed to its
revision, (b) the rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are resolved against the drafting party shall not be
employed in the interpretation of this Agreement, and (c) the terms and
provisions of this Agreement shall be construed fairly as to all parties, regardless of which party was generally responsible for
the preparation of this Agreement. Any statute, regulation, or other law
defined or referred to herein (or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein) means such statute, regulation or
other law as, from time to time, may be amended, modified or
supplemented, including (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes. References to a Person also refer
to its predecessors and permitted successors and assigns. 11.18 Disclosure.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any Section of the Company Disclosure Letter or Buyer
Disclosure Letter, any information disclosed
in one Section of the Company Disclosure Letter or Buyer Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be disclosed in other Sections of the
Company Disclosure Letter or Buyer Disclosure Letter only to
the extent that the relevance of such information to such other Sections of the Company Disclosure Letter or Buyer Disclosure
Letter shall be readily apparent on its face. Certain information set
forth in the Company Disclosure Letter or Buyer Disclosure Letter is included solely for informational purposes and may not be
required to be disclosed pursuant to this Agreement. The disclosure
of any information shall not be deemed to constitute an acknowledgment that such information is required to be disclosed in
connection with the representations and warranties made by the
Company or Buyer in this Agreement or that such information is material, nor shall such information be deemed to establish a
standard of materiality, nor shall it be deemed an admission of any
liability of, or concession as to any defense available to, the Company or Buyer, as applicable. 11.19 Severability of
Provisions. If any provision or any portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the
remaining portion of such provision and the A-58
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. If the
application of any provision or any portion of any provision of this Agreement to any Person or circumstance shall be held
invalid or unenforceable, the application of such provision or portion of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than
those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be
affected thereby. 11.20 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof each signed by
less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. The
delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed to be valid delivery
thereof. 11.21 No Third Party
Beneficiaries. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 3.2(a), 6.10(c), 6.11, 6.13, 6.14, 6.22, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5,
11.6, 11.7 and 11.8, no provision of this Agreement is
intended to, or shall, confer any third party beneficiary or other rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties
hereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no provision of this
Agreement shall create any third party beneficiary rights in any employee or former employee of the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries (including any beneficiary or dependent thereof) in respect
of continued employment by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries or otherwise. 11.22 Specific Performance.
The parties hereto agree that if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms
or were otherwise breached,
irreparable damages would occur, no adequate remedy at law would exist and damages would be difficult to determine. Accordingly,
the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms
hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity. [Remainder of page intentionally left
blank] A-59
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written. BUYER: DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
/s/ Peter H.
Rothschild
Name:
Peter H. Rothschild
Title:
Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. BUYER SUB: DFR MERGER COMPANY, LLC, By: DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.,
By:
/s/ Peter H.
Rothschild
Name:
Peter H. Rothschild
Title:
Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. COMPANY: DEERFIELD & COMPANY LLC
By:
/s/ Edward P.
Garden
Name:
Edward P. Garden
Title:
Director SELLERS
REPRESENTATIVE: TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
By:
/s/ Nelson
Peltz
Name:
Nelson Peltz
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer A-60
its sole member
April 19, 2007 The Special Committee of the Board of
Directors Gentlemen: We understand that Deerfield Triarc
Capital Corp. (DFR), DFR Merger Company, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of DFR (Merger Sub), Deerfield &
Company LLC (DCM) and Triarc
Companies, Inc. (Triarc) intend to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to be dated as of April 19, 2007 (the
Agreement), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into DCM
(the Merger). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement, as a result of the Merger all
outstanding membership interests in DCM will be converted into the right to
receive, subject to the terms of the Agreement, an aggregate amount of consideration equal to (i) 9,635,192 shares of DFR
Common Stock (the Aggregate Share Consideration) and (ii) an amount
in cash (the Aggregate Cash Consideration and, together with the Aggregate Share Consideration, the Aggregate
Merger Consideration) equal to $145.0 million, subject to adjustment as provided
in the Agreement. You have provided us with a copy of the Agreement in substantially final form. You have asked us to render our
opinion as to whether the Aggregate Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to DFR. In the course of performing our
review and analyses for rendering this opinion, we have:
reviewed a draft of the Agreement, dated April 19, 2007; reviewed DFRs Annual Reports to
Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed
since
December 31, 2006; reviewed Triarcs Annual Reports to
Shareholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and its Current Reports on Form 8-K
filed since
December 31, 2006; reviewed certain operating and financial
information relating to DFRs business and prospects, including projections for the years ended December 31, 2007 through
December 31, 2010, all as
prepared and provided to us by DFRs management; reviewed certain operating and financial
information relating to DCMs business and prospects, including projections for the years ended December 31, 2007 through
December 31, 2010, all as
prepared and provided to us by DCMs management; reviewed certain estimates of cost synergies,
revenue synergies and other combination benefits expected to result from the Merger, all as prepared and provided to us by DFRs
and DCMs
management; met with certain members of DFRs and
DCMs senior management to discuss DFRs and DCMs respective businesses, operations, historical and projected
financial results and future
prospects; reviewed the historical prices, trading
multiples and trading volumes of the common shares of DFR; reviewed publicly available financial data,
stock market performance data and trading multiples of companies which we deemed generally comparable to DCM; reviewed the terms of recent mergers and
acquisitions involving companies which we deemed generally comparable to DCM; B-1
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp.
6250 North River Road, 8th Floor
Rosemont, IL 60018
performed discounted cash flow analyses based on
the projections for DCM, DFR and the synergy estimates furnished to us; reviewed the pro forma financial results,
financial condition and capitalization of DFR giving effect to the Merger; and conducted such other studies, analyses,
inquiries and investigations as we deemed appropriate. We have relied upon and assumed,
without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information provided to or discussed with
us by DFR and DCM or
obtained by us from public sources, including, without limitation, the projections and synergy estimates referred to above. With
respect to the projections and synergy estimates, we have relied on
representations that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of
the senior management of DFR and DCM, as the case may be, as
to the expected future performance of DFR and DCM. We note that the management of DFR is composed entirely of members of the
management of DCM. We have not assumed any responsibility
for the independent verification of any such information, including, without limitation, the projections and synergy estimates, and
we have further relied upon the assurances of the senior management
of DFR and DCM, as the case may be, that they are unaware of any facts that would make the information, projections and synergy
estimates incomplete or misleading. In arriving at our opinion, we have
not performed or obtained any independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of DFR and DCM, nor have
we been furnished with
any such appraisals. We have assumed that the Merger will be consummated in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement without any limitations, restrictions, conditions,
amendments or modifications, regulatory or otherwise, that collectively would have a material effect on DFR, DCM or Merger
Sub. We do not express any opinion as to
the price or range of prices at which the shares of common stock of DFR may trade subsequent to the announcement or consummation of
the Merger. We have acted as a financial
advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of DFR in connection with the Merger and will receive a customary fee for
such services, a substantial
portion of which is contingent on successful consummation of the Merger. In addition, DFR has agreed to reimburse us for certain
expenses and to indemnify us against certain liabilities arising out
of our engagement. Bear Stearns (i) has previously been engaged by DFR and (ii) has previously been engaged (and may currently be
engaged) by DCM, Triarc, Trian LLP (Trian) and their
respective affiliates, in each case to provide investment banking, brokerage and other services on matters unrelated to the Merger,
for which we have received (or expect to receive) customary fees.
Bear Stearns may seek to provide DFR, DCM, Triarc and Trian and their respective affiliates with certain investment banking and
other services unrelated to the Merger in the future. Consistent with applicable legal
and regulatory requirements, Bear Stearns has adopted policies and procedures to establish and maintain the independence of Bear
Stearns research departments
and personnel. As a result, Bear Stearns research analysts may hold views, make statements or investment recommendations
and/or publish research reports with respect to DFR, DCM, Triarc, the
Merger and other participants in the Merger that differ from the views of Bear Stearns investment banking
personnel. In the ordinary course of business,
Bear Stearns and its affiliates may actively trade for its own account and for the accounts of its customers equity and debt
securities, bank debt and/or other
financial instruments issued by DFR, DCM, Triarc and/or Trian and their respective affiliates, as well as derivatives thereof, and,
accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in such
securities, bank debt, financial instruments and derivatives. It is understood that this letter
is intended for the benefit and use of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of DFR and does not constitute a
recommendation to the Special
Committee of the Board of Directors of DFR or any holders of DFR common stock as to how to vote in connection with the Merger or
otherwise. This opinion does not address DFRs underlying
business decision to pursue the Merger, the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any alternative B-2
business strategies that might exist for DFR, the financing of the Merger or
the effects of any other transaction in which DFR might engage. This letter is not to be used for any other purpose, or be
reproduced, disseminated, quoted from or referred to at any time, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent;
provided, however, that this letter may be included in its entirety, and a
description of this letter and our fairness analysis either written or approved by us may also be included, in any proxy
statement/prospectus to be distributed to the holders of DFR common stock in
connection with the Merger. Our opinion is subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and other conditions contained
herein and is necessarily based on economic, market and other
conditions, and the information made available to us, as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility for updating or revising
our opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date
hereof. Based on and subject to the
foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Aggregate Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view,
to DFR. Very truly yours, BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC. By: /s/ Charles
Edelman B-3
Senior
Managing Director
April 19, 2007 The Special Committee of the Board of Directors
of The Board of Directors of Deerfield Triarc Capital
Corp. Dear Members of the Special Committee and Board of
Directors: We understand that Deerfield Triarc
Capital Corp. (the Company or the Buyer), DFR Merger Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
(Buyer Sub), Deerfield &
Company LLC (the Seller) and Triarc Companies, Inc. (Triarc), as Sellers representative, propose to
enter into the Merger Agreement (defined below) pursuant to which, among other things,
Buyer Sub will be merged with and into the Seller (the Merger) and that, in connection with the Merger, the membership
interests in the Seller will be converted into the right to receive in the
aggregate: (i) $145 million in cash minus the Closing Debt (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (ii) $145 million in shares of
the Companys common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
Company Common Stock), based upon the average of the closing price of the Company Common Stock for the 10 trading days
immediately preceding the execution of the Merger Agreement (the
aggregate of (i) and (ii), the Consideration). The Seller, following the consummation of the Merger, is sometimes
referred to herein as the Combined Company. You have requested that Houlihan
Lokey Howard & Zukin Financial Advisors, Inc. (Houlihan Lokey) provide an opinion (the Opinion) to the
Special Committee (the Committee) and
Board of Directors of the Company as to whether, as of the date hereof, the Consideration to be paid by the Company in connection
with the Merger is fair to the Company from a financial point of
view. In connection with this Opinion, we
have made such reviews, analyses and inquiries as we have deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Among other
things, we have:
1.
reviewed the Companys annual report to shareholders on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006; 2. reviewed the Sellers audited financial
statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, draft unaudited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December
31, 2006, and quarterly income statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2006, which
Sellers management has identified as being the most current
information available; 3. spoken with certain members of the management of
the Company regarding the operations, financial condition, future prospects and projected operations and performance of the Company
and
regarding the Merger, and spoken with representatives of the Companys other investment bankers and counsel regarding the
Company, the Merger, and related matters; 4. spoken with certain members of the management of
the Seller regarding the operations, financial condition, future prospects and projected operations and performance of the Seller and
regarding the Merger, and spoken with representatives of the Sellers investment bankers and counsel regarding the Seller,
the Merger, and related matters; 5. reviewed the following agreements and documents:
a.
draft dated April 19, 2007 of an Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Buyer, Buyer Sub, Seller and Triarc (the
Merger Agreement); b. draft of the Sellers Disclosure Schedule
to the Merger Agreement, dated April 19, 2007; C-1
Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp.
6250 North River Road, 8th Floor
Rosemont, IL 60018
6250 North River Road, 8th Floor
Rosemont, IL 60018
c. the Confidential Memorandum regarding the
Seller, prepared by the Sellers investment banker, dated October, 2006; d. the Management Agreement by and among Deerfield
Triarc Capital Corp. and Deerfield Capital Management LLC, dated December 23, 2004;
6.
reviewed financial forecasts and projections prepared as of April 18, 2007 by the management of the Company with respect to the
Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 to
December 31, 2010; 7. reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of March 30, 2007 by the management of the Company with respect to the Company under a no capital raising scenario for
the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008; 8. reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of April 18, 2007 by the management of the Seller with respect to the Seller for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007
through
December 31, 2010; 9. reviewed financial forecasts and projections
prepared as of March 19, 2007 and April 18, 2007 by the management of the Seller with respect to the Combined Company for the fiscal
years
ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, as well as the analyses and forecasts of certain cost savings, operating
efficiencies, revenue effects, strategic benefits and other synergies
expected by the managements of the Company and the Seller to result from the Merger (the Synergies); 10. reviewed historical and projected information
about the Sellers assets under management and the related management and incentive fees; 11. reviewed the historical market prices and
trading volume for the Companys publicly traded securities since the Companys initial public offering and those of
certain publicly traded
companies which we deemed relevant; 12. reviewed certain other publicly available
financial data for certain companies that we deemed comparable to the Company and the Seller and publicly available transaction
prices paid in
other transactions that we deemed relevant; and 13. conducted such other financial studies, analyses
and inquiries as we have deemed appropriate. We have relied upon and assumed,
without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all data, material and other information furnished, or otherwise
made available, to us,
discussed with or reviewed by us, or publicly available, and do not assume any responsibility with respect to such data, material
and other information. In addition, managements of the Company and
the Seller have advised us, and we have assumed, that the financial forecasts and projections reviewed by us have been reasonably
prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently
available estimates and judgments of such managements as to the future financial results and condition of the Company, the Seller
and the Combined Company, and we express no opinion with
respect to such forecasts and projections or the assumptions on which they are based. Furthermore, upon the advice of the
managements of the Company and the Seller, we have assumed that the
analyses and forecasts with respect to the Synergies reviewed by us have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the managements of the
Company and the Seller and that the Synergies will be realized in the amounts and the time periods indicated thereby, and we
express no opinion with respect to such analyses, forecasts or Synergies
or the assumptions on which they are based. We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there has been
no material change in the assets, liabilities, financial condition,
results of operations, business or prospects of the Company or the Seller since the date of the most recent financial statements
provided to us, and that there are no information or facts that would
make any of the information reviewed by us incomplete or misleading. We have not considered any aspect or implication of any
transaction to which the Company or the Seller is a party (other than
as specifically described herein with respect to the Merger). C-2
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to the agreements identified in item 5 above and all other
related
documents and instruments that are referred to therein are true and correct, (b) each party to all such agreements will fully and
timely perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be
performed by such party, (c) all conditions to the consummation of the Merger will be satisfied without waiver thereof, and (d) the
Merger will be consummated in a timely manner in accordance
with the terms described in the agreements and documents provided to us, without any amendments or modifications thereto or any
adjustment to the aggregate consideration (through offset,
reduction, indemnity claims, post-closing purchase price adjustments or otherwise) or any other financial term of the Merger. We
also have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification,
that (i) the Merger will be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with all applicable federal and state statutes,
rules and regulations, and (ii) all governmental, regulatory, and other
consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Merger will be obtained and that no delay, limitations, restrictions
or conditions will be imposed or amendments, modifications or
waivers made that would result in the disposition of any material portion of the assets of the Company or the Seller, or otherwise
have an adverse effect on the Company or the Seller or any
expected benefits of the Merger. In addition, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that the final
forms of the draft documents identified above will not differ in any
material respect from such draft documents. Furthermore, in connection with
this Opinion, we have not been requested to make, and have not made, any physical inspection or independent appraisal or evaluation
of any of the assets,
properties or liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of the Company, the Seller or any other
party, nor were we provided with any such appraisal or evaluation. We
express no opinion regarding the liquidation value of any entity. We have undertaken no independent analysis of any potential or
actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or
other contingent liabilities, to which the Company or the Seller is or may be a party or is or may be subject, or of any
governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other
contingent liabilities to which the Company or the Seller is or may be a party or is or may be subject and, at your direction and
with your consent, this Opinion makes no assumption concerning, and
therefore does not consider, the potential effects of any such litigation, claims or investigations or possible assertion of
claims, outcomes or damages arising out of any such matters. We have not been requested to, and
did not, (a) initiate any discussions with, or solicit any indications of interest from, third parties with respect to the Merger or
any alternatives to the Merger,
(b) negotiate the terms of the Merger, or (c) advise the Committee, the Board of Directors or any other party with respect to
alternatives to the Merger. This Opinion is necessarily based on
financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to us as of, the date hereof.
We have not undertaken, and are under no obligation, to update,
revise, reaffirm or withdraw this Opinion, or otherwise comment on or consider events occurring after the date hereof. This Opinion is furnished for the
use and benefit of the Committee and the Board of Directors in connection with their consideration of the Merger and is not intended
to be used, and may not
be used, for any other purpose, without our express, prior written consent. This Opinion should not be construed as creating any
fiduciary duty on Houlihan Lokeys part to any party. This Opinion is
not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to any security holder or any other person as to how such person
should act or vote with respect to the Merger. This Opinion may not
be disclosed, reproduced, disseminated, quoted, summarized or referred to at any time, in any manner or for any purpose, nor shall
any references to Houlihan Lokey or any of its affiliates be made
by any recipient of this Opinion, without the prior written consent of Houlihan Lokey; provided that this Opinion may be reproduced
in its entirety and a description thereof (subject to Houlihan
Lokeys prior review and written approval) may be included in the Companys proxy statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the special meeting of the Companys
stockholders called to approve the issuance of Company common stock in connection with the Merger. C-3
In the ordinary course of business, certain of our
affiliates, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests, may acquire, hold or sell, long or short
positions, or trade or
otherwise effect transactions, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other
obligations) of, or investments in, the Company, or any other party that may be
involved in the Merger and their respective affiliates or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the Merger. We have not been requested to opine
as to, and this Opinion does not address: (i) the underlying business decision of the Committee, the Company, the Seller, its
respective security holders or
any other party to proceed with or effect the Merger, (ii) the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents
related to, or the form or any other portion or aspect of, the
Merger or otherwise, except as expressly addressed in this Opinion, (iii) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Merger to
the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of
the Company, or the Seller, or any other party other than those set forth in this Opinion, (iv) the relative merits of the Merger
as compared to any alternative business strategies that might exist for
the Company, the Seller or any other party or the effect of any other transaction in which the Company, the Seller or any other
party might engage, (v) the tax or legal consequences of the Merger
to either the Company, the Seller, their respective security holders, or any other party, (vi) the fairness of any portion or
aspect of the Merger to any one class or group of the Companys or any
other partys security holders vis-à-vis any other class or group of the Companys or such other partys
security holders (including without limitation the allocation of any consideration amongst or
within such classes or groups of security holders), (vii) whether or not the Company, the Seller, their respective security holders
or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value
in the Merger, or (viii) the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of the Company, the Seller or any other participant in the
Merger under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance or similar matters. Furthermore, no opinion, counsel or interpretation is intended in matters that require
legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar
professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel or interpretations have been or will be obtained from the
appropriate professional sources. Furthermore, we have relied, with your
consent, on the assessment by the Committee, the Company and the Seller and their respective advisers, as to all legal, regulatory,
accounting, insurance and tax matters with respect to the Company,
the Seller and the Merger. Based upon and subject to the
foregoing, and in reliance thereon, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Consideration to be paid by the Company in
connection with the Merger, taken
in the aggregate, is fair to the Company from a financial point of view. Very truly yours, HOULIHAN LOKEY HOWARD & ZUKIN FINANCIAL ADVISORS,
INC. By: /s/ Anne Marie
Miller C-4
Senior
Vice President
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
AGREEMENT among DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL
CORP., THE PARTIES
IDENTIFIED AS THE STOCKHOLDERS ON
THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO AND THE
OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY BECOME PARTIES TO
THIS AGREEMENT FROM TIME TO TIME, and TRIARC COMPANIES, INC., DATED AS OF APRIL 19,
2007
as
Stockholders
as
Sellers Representative
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Section 1.
Definitions
D-1 Section 2.
Registration
D-3 Section 3. Registration
Procedures
D-5 Section 4. Holders
Obligations
D-9 Section 5. Registration
Expenses
D-9 Section 6.
Indemnification
D-10 Section 7. Information
Requirements
D-12 Section 8.
Miscellaneous
D-12 i
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of April 19,
2007 (this Agreement), between Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (the
Company), the parties
identified as the stockholders on the signature pages hereto and the Persons who may become parties to this Agreement from time to
time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (each, a
Stockholder and collectively, the Stockholders) and Triarc Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, as the Sellers Representative under the Merger Agreement referred to below (the Sellers
Representative). WHEREAS, the Company, DFR Merger
Company, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (Merger
Sub), Deerfield & Company
LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (Deerfield) and the Sellers Representative have entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the Merger
Agreement), which provides, among other things, for the merger of Merger Sub with and
into Deerfield, with Deerfield surviving the merger and becoming an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the
Merger); WHEREAS, pursuant to the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Stockholders shall receive, as consideration in the Merger, cash and shares of
common stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of the Company (the Common Stock); WHEREAS, in order to induce
Deerfield and the Sellers Representative to enter into the Merger Agreement, (i) the Company has agreed to grant registration
rights with respect to the
Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined) as set forth in this Agreement and (ii) the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf
Registration is a condition to the obligations of Deerfield to consummate the
Merger; and WHEREAS, certain of the members of
Deerfield have become parties to this Agreement on the date hereof and each other member of Deerfield will be permitted to become a
party to this
Agreement at any time prior to the Closing of the Merger. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: Section 1. Definitions. As
used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings: Affiliate means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with,
such first Person. For the purposes of this
definition, control (including, with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by
and under common control with), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Agreement has
the meaning set forth in the preamble. Amendment Effectiveness
Deadline Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2(d)(i). Business Day
means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in New York City are permitted or required by law to be
closed, and shall consist of the time period
from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight Eastern time. Closing Date has
the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Common Stock has
the meaning set forth in the recitals and shall include any security into which the Common Stock is converted, exchanged,
reclassified, recapitalized or the like. Company has the
meaning set forth in the preamble. Deerfield has
the meaning set forth in the recitals. Deferral Notice
has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h)(ii). Deferral Period
has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h). D-1
Disclosure Package means (i) the
preliminary prospectus, (ii) each Free Writing Prospectus and (iii) all other information that is deemed, under Rule 159 under the
Securities Act, to have been
conveyed to purchasers of securities at the time of sale (including, without limitation, a contract of sale). Effectiveness
Period means (x) with respect to a registration pursuant to Section 2(a), the period commencing on the Closing Date and
ending on the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the
Closing Date (subject to an extension in the event that a Deferral Period is imposed by the Company in accordance with Section 3(h)
hereof; provided that such extension shall be equal to the
aggregate time periods of the Deferral Periods, if any) and (ii) the date that all Registrable Securities have ceased to be
Registrable Securities and (y) with respect to a registration pursuant to
Exhibit A, the period commencing on the date such Registration Statement first becomes effective and ending on the date that is
180 days thereafter (subject to an extension in the event that a
Deferral Period is imposed by the Company in accordance with Section 3(h) hereof; provided that such extension shall be
equal to the aggregate time periods of the Deferral Periods, if any). Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder. Filing Deadline
Date has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a). Free Writing
Prospectus means any free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Holder means any
Stockholder holding Registrable Securities and each Permitted Transferee of Registrable Securities from a Stockholder. Holder Indemnified
Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a). Indemnified
Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c). Indemnifying
Party has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c). Initial Shelf Registration
Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a). Initiating
Holders has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a) of Exhibit A. Losses has the
meaning set forth in Section 6(a). Material Event
has the meaning set forth in Section 3(h). Merger has the
meaning set forth in the recitals. Merger Agreement
has the meaning set forth in the recitals. Merger Sub has
the meaning set forth in the recitals. Notice and
Questionnaire means a written notice and questionnaire in customary form delivered by a Holder to the Company. Notice Holder
means, on any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date. Permitted
Transferee has the meaning set forth in Section 8(f). Person has the
meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Prospectus means
the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part
of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented
by any amendment or prospectus supplement, including post-
effective amendments, and all materials incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus. Public Sale
means any sale of Registrable Securities to the public pursuant to a public offering registered under the Securities Act or to the
public through a broker or market maker pursuant
to the provisions of Rule 144 or any other public offering not required to be registered under the Securities Act. D-2
Registrable Securities means any
and all shares of Common Stock received by the Stockholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement or Escrow Agreement (including any and
all shares of
Common Stock held by Deerfield or any of its subsidiaries and distributed or otherwise transferred directly or indirectly to a
Holder) and any shares of capital stock or other equity interests issued or
issuable to any of the Holders with respect to such shares of Common Stock by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection
with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation or other reorganization; provided, however, Registrable Securities shall not include shares of Common Stock
that (i) have been sold in a Public Sale (except that shares of Common
Stock received by a Person in the Spin Distribution or otherwise received directly or indirectly from a Holder that may not be sold
without volume or manner of sale limitations under the provisions
of Rule 144 shall nonetheless constitute Registrable Securities), (ii) may in the written opinion of counsel to the Company be sold
by such Holder (taking into account any affiliate of such Holder or
other person with whom such Holder must aggregate sales under Rule 144) without restriction (including volume and manner of sale
restrictions) on a single day without registration in compliance
with Rule 144 or (iii) cease to be outstanding. Registration
Default has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e). Registration
Statement means any registration statement of the Company that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement including the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all materials
incorporated by reference or explicitly deemed to be incorporated by
reference in such registration statement. Restricted
Securities means restricted securities as defined in Rule 144. Rule 144 means
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the SEC having substantially the
same effect as such rule. Rule 144A means
Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC having substantially the
same effect as such rule. SEC means the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency then having jurisdiction to enforce the Securities Act. Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. Sellers
Representative has the meaning set forth in the preamble. Shelf Registration
Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a). Spin
Distribution has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a). Stockholders has
the meaning set forth in the preamble. Subsequent Registration
Statement has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b). Successor Entity
means any limited liability company, limited partnership, corporation or other entity into which the Company may have converted or of
which the Company may have become
a direct or indirect subsidiary (whether by merger, conversion, transfer of substantially all of its assets or
otherwise). Section 2.
Registration. (a) The Company shall prepare and
file or cause to be prepared and filed with the SEC, as soon as practicable after the date hereof but in any event not later than 30
days after the date hereof
(the Filing Deadline Date), a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (a Shelf Registration Statement)
registering the resale from time to time by Holders (including the distribution by the Sellers Representative of Registrable
Securities as a dividend or other distribution to its stockholders) (the Spin
Distribution)) of all of the Registrable Securities (the Initial Shelf Registration Statement). The
Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 or another D-3
appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for
resale by such Holders, including the Spin Distribution, in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the
Holders and set forth in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the Initial Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective
under the Securities Act on or prior to the date that all of the conditions to the parties obligation to consummate the Merger
shall have been satisfied or waived (other than the condition to
Deerfields obligation to consummate the Merger that the Initial Shelf Registration Statement shall have been declared
effective) and, subject to any Deferral Periods, to keep the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement (or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) continuously effective under the Securities Act until the
expiration of the Effectiveness Period. At the time the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective, each Holder that became a Notice Holder on or prior to the date seven (7) days prior
to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a selling
securityholder in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to
deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities
(including the recipients of the Spin Distribution) in accordance with applicable law. (b) If the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement, any Subsequent Registration Statement or any Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 1.1 or 1.3 of
Exhibit A ceases to be effective for any
reason at any time during the applicable Effectiveness Period (other than because all Registrable Securities registered thereunder
shall have been resold pursuant thereto or shall have otherwise
ceased to be Registrable Securities), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event
shall within seven (7) days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the such Registration Statement in a manner reasonably
expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, or file an additional Registration Statement covering all of the securities that as of the date of such
filing are Registrable Securities (a Subsequent Registration Statement). If a
Subsequent Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Subsequent
Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as is practicable
after such filing and, subject to any Deferral Periods, to keep such Registration Statement (or subsequent Shelf Registration
Statement) continuously effective until the end of the applicable
Effectiveness Period. (c) The Company shall supplement
and amend each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement (including Exhibit A) if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable
to the registration form used by the Company for such Registration Statement, or if required by the Securities Act. (d) Each Holder agrees that if such
Holder wishes to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and related Prospectus, it will do so only in
accordance with this Section
2(d) and Section 3(h). Each Holder wishing to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and related
Prospectus agrees to deliver a Notice and Questionnaire to the Company at
least three Business Days prior to any intended distribution by such Holder of Registrable Securities under such Registration
Statement. From and after the date the Registration Statement is
declared effective, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable after the date a Notice and Questionnaire is delivered, and in
any event upon the later of (x) seven (7) days after such date or (y)
seven (7) days after the expiration of any Deferral Period in effect when the Notice and Questionnaire is delivered or put into
effect within seven (7) days of such delivery date: (i) if required by applicable
law, file with the SEC a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a
supplement to the related
Prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so
that the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire is
named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus in such a manner as to permit such
Holder to deliver such Prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable
Securities in accordance with applicable law and, if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such post-
effective amendment to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is practicable, but in any event by the date
(the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline D-4
Date) that is seven (7) days after the
date such post-effective amendment is required by this clause to be filed; (ii) provide such Holder and
the underwriters, if any, copies of any documents filed pursuant to Section 2(d)(i); and (iii) notify such Holder and
the underwriters, if any, as promptly as practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment
filed pursuant to Section
2(d)(i); provided, that if such Notice and
Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire
and shall take the actions set
forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the Deferral Period in accordance with Section 3(h). Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, the Amendment
Effectiveness Deadline Date shall be extended by up to seven (7) days from the expiration of a Deferral Period if such Deferral
Period shall be in effect on the Amendment Effectiveness Deadline
Date. (e) If the Holders intend to
distribute the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a) or (b) or Section 1.1 or 1.3
of Exhibit A by means of an
underwriting, they shall so advise the Company. The underwriter or underwriters will be selected by the Company, subject to the
approval of a majority in interest of the Holders participating in such
registration. In such event, the right of any Holder to include Registrable Securities in such underwritten offering shall be
conditioned upon such Holders participation in such underwriting and the
inclusion of such Holders Registrable Securities in the underwriting (unless otherwise mutually agreed by a majority in
interest of the Holders participating in the registration and the Holder) to the
extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the
Company) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with
the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the
managing underwriter advises the Company and the Holders participating
in such underwriting in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the
Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities which
would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the
underwriting shall be allocated among all Holders thereof, in
proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the amount of Registrable Securities of the Company owned by each Holder at the time of
the filing of the registration statement; provided, however, that the
number of Registrable Securities held by Holders to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other
securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting. Registrable
Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from the registration. (f) From and after the end of the
Effectiveness Period referred to in clause (x) of the defined term Effectiveness Period, the Holders shall have the
additional registration rights set forth in
Exhibit A attached hereto. Section 3. Registration
Procedures. In connection with the registration obligations of the Company under Section 2 hereof or Exhibit A, the
Company shall: (a) Prepare and file as soon as
reasonably practicable with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration Statements on Form S-3 or another appropriate form under
the Securities Act
available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof (including the Spin Distribution), and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided
herein; provided, that before filing any Registration Statement,
Prospectus or Disclosure Package or any amendments or supplements thereto with the SEC, the Company shall furnish to the
Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or the Holders and the
underwriters, if any, if subsequent to the Merger, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed and within seven (7) days of
the delivery of such copies in good faith consider reflecting in each
such document when so filed with the SEC all comments, if any, that the Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or
the Holders and the underwriters, if any, if subsequent to the Merger, shall
propose; D-5
provided, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions
under this Section 3(a) that are, in the opinion of counsel experienced in such matters, in violation of applicable law. The
Company shall promptly provide copies of any written correspondence from the SEC with respect to a Prospectus, prospectus
supplement, Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to the
Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or the Holders and the underwriters, if any, if subsequent to the
Merger. (b) Subject to its ability to issue
a Deferral Notice, prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may
be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable Effectiveness Period; cause the related Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the
applicable Effectiveness Period in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or such Prospectus as so
supplemented. (c) As promptly as practicable give
notice to the Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or the Notice Holders and the underwriters, if any, if subsequent
to the Merger, (i) when any
Prospectus, prospectus supplement, Registration Statement, Disclosure Package or post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has been declared effective, (ii) of any request, following
the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement under
the Securities Act, by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to any
Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information,
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any
proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the occurrence
of a Material Event and (vi) of the determination by the Company that
a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement will be filed with the SEC, which notice may, at the discretion of the
Company (or as required pursuant to Section 3(h)), state that it
constitutes a Deferral Notice, in which event the provisions of Section 3(h) shall apply. (d) Use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any
suspension of the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in which they have been qualified
for sale, in either case at the earliest possible moment, and provide
prompt notice to the Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or to the Notice Holders and the underwriters, if any,
if subsequent to the Merger, of the withdrawal of any such order. (e) As promptly as practicable,
furnish to the Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or each Notice Holder and the underwriters, if any, if
subsequent to the Merger, without charge, at
least one conformed copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, excluding all schedules, exhibits and all
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference (unless requested in writing by the Sellers Representative, if prior to the Merger, or such Notice Holder, if
subsequent to the Merger). (f) During the Effectiveness
Period, deliver to each Notice Holder and the underwriters, if any, in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to
such Registration Statement,
without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses relating to such Registrable Securities (including each
preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such
Notice Holder may reasonably request; to provide a reasonable number of copies thereof to the New York Stock Exchange
as contemplated by Rule 153 under the Securities Act; and the
Company hereby consents (except during such periods that a Deferral Notice is outstanding and has not been revoked) to the use of
such Prospectus or each amendment or supplement thereto by
each D-6
Notice Holder and the underwriters, if any, in connection with any offering and
sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in the manner
set forth therein. (g) Prior to any public offering of
the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or
cooperate with the Notice
Holders and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or
qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under
the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any underwriter or Notice Holder reasonably
requests in writing (which request may be included in the Notice and
Questionnaire); prior to any public offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, use its
commercially reasonable efforts to keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period in connection with the offer and sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration or qualification (or
exemption therefrom) and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities in the manner set forth in
the relevant Registration Statement and the related Prospectus; provided, that the Company will not be required to (i)
qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction
where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Agreement or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general
service of process in suits or to taxation in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject. (h) Upon (A) the issuance by the
SEC of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of proceedings with respect to such
Registration Statement
under Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act, (B) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any fact (a Material
Event) as a result of which the financial statements included in such
Registration Statement become ineligible for inclusion therein, such Registration Statement shall contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or any related Prospectus shall contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, or (C) the occurrence or existence of any pending
corporate development that, in the good faith judgment of the Company makes it necessary or advisable to suspend the availability
of the such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus for a
discrete period of time because not to do so would be detrimental to the Company and its subsidiaries: (i) Subject to the Deferral
Period, as promptly as practicable prepare and file, if necessary pursuant to applicable law, a post-effective amendment to such
Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document that
would be incorporated by reference into such Registration
Statement and Prospectus so that such Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and such Prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities being sold thereunder, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement, use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause it to be declared effective as
promptly as is practicable, and (ii) give notice to the Notice
Holders and the underwriters, if any, that the availability of the Registration Statement is suspended (a Deferral
Notice) and, upon receipt of any Deferral
Notice, each Notice Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement until such Notice
Holders receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus provided for in clause (i) above, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the Prospectus may be used, and
has received copies of any additional or D-7
supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The Company shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed (x) in the case of clause (A) or (B) above,
as promptly as is practicable, and
(y) in the case of clause (C) above, as soon as practicable after, in the good faith judgment of the Company, public disclosure of
such pending corporate development would no longer be detrimental
to the interests of the Company. The Company shall be entitled to exercise its right under this Section 3(h) to suspend the
availability of one or more Registration Statements or any related
Prospectuses for a period (the Deferral Period) that shall not exceed 30 days in any three-month period or 90
days in any 12-month period. (i) If requested in writing in
connection with a disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, make reasonably available for
inspection during normal business hours
by a representative for the Notice Holders of such Registrable Securities, any underwriter, and any broker-dealers, attorneys and
accountants retained by such Notice Holders, and any attorneys or
other agents retained by an underwriter or a broker-dealer engaged by such Notice Holders, all relevant financial and other records
and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company
and its subsidiaries, and cause the appropriate officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to make
reasonably available for inspection during normal business hours on
reasonable notice all relevant information reasonably requested by such representative for the Notice Holders and the underwriters,
if any, or any such broker-dealers, attorneys or accountants in
connection with such disposition, in each case as is customary for similar due diligence examinations; provided,
that such Persons shall first hereby agree with the Company that any information that
is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information
shall be kept confidential by such Persons and shall be used solely for
the purposes of exercising rights under this Agreement, unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or
administrative order or is necessary to respond to inquiries of regulatory
authorities (in which case the Company shall be provided notice prior to such disclosure so that it may seek a protective order),
(ii) disclosure of such information is required by law (including any
disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of any Registration Statement or the use
of any prospectus referred to in this Agreement), (iii) such
information becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such
Person or (iv) such information becomes available to any such Person
from a source other than the Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement. (j) Comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning statements (which need not be audited)
satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) for a
12-month period commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of
the Company commencing after the effective date of such Registration Statement, which statements shall be made available no later
than 45 days after the end of the 12-month period or 90 days if
the 12-month period coincides with a fiscal year of the Company. (k) Cooperate with each Notice
Holder and the underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable
Securities sold or to be sold pursuant
to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends, and cause such Registrable Securities to be
in such names as such Notice Holder may request in writing at least
three Business Days prior to any sale of such Registrable Securities. (l) Use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class and
series issued by the Company are
then listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied. (m) Cooperate and assist in any
filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (n) With respect to each Free
Writing Prospectus or other materials to be included in the Disclosure Package, ensure that no Registrable Securities be sold
by means of (as defined in Rule D-8
159A(b) under the Securities Act) such Free Writing Prospectus or other
materials without the prior written consent of the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement, which Free Writing Prospectuses or other materials shall be subject to the review of counsel to such Holders. (o) Make all required filings of
all Free Writing Prospectuses with the SEC. (p) Enter into and perform its
obligations under such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form), which may include
indemnification provisions in favor of
underwriters and other persons in addition to, or in substitution for the provisions of Section 6 of the Agreement, and take such
other actions as sellers of a majority of shares of such Registrable
Securities, or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities. (q) Obtain for delivery to the
Holders of Registrable Securities being registered and to the underwriter or agent, an opinion or opinions from counsel for the
Company in customary form and in
form, substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to such Holders, underwriters or agents and their counsel. (r) If requested by the managing
underwriter of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such
information as the managing underwriter reasonably requests to be included therein, including, without limitation, with respect to
the number of Registrable Securities being sold by such Holder to
such underwriter, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriter and with respect to any other terms of the
underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering;
and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after being notified
of the matters incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-
effective amendment. Section 4. Holders
Obligations. Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities, that it shall not be entitled to sell any of such
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a Notice and Questionnaire
as required pursuant to Section 2(d) (including the information
required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and the information set forth in the next sentence. Each Notice Holder
agrees promptly to furnish to the Company all information required
to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Notice Holder not misleading and any
other information regarding such Notice Holder and the
distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request. The Company may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Securities of any Holder that
does not furnish such information provided above so long as such information is not so furnished. Any sale of any Registrable
Securities by any Holder shall constitute a representation and warranty
by such Holder that the information relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set forth in the Prospectus
delivered by such Holder in connection with such disposition, that such
Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain any untrue statement of a material fact relating to or provided by such
Holder or its plan of distribution and that such Prospectus does not as
of the time of such sale omit to state any material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan of distribution
necessary to make the statements in such Prospectus, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Section 5. Registration
Expenses. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred by it in connection with the performance by the Company of its
obligations under Sections 2 and 3 of
this Agreement whether or not any Registration Statement is declared effective. Such fees and expenses shall include, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without
limitation, fees and expenses (x) with respect to filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. or New York Stock Exchange Inc. and (y) of compliance with
federal and state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the counsel to
the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as Notice Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities
being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement may designate), (ii)
printing expenses, D-9
(iii) duplication expenses relating to copies of any Registration
Statement or Prospectus delivered to any Holders hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and one half of
the fees and disbursements of one counsel representing all of the Holders in connection with the such Registration Statement;
provided, that, in the case of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, all
of the fees and disbursements of counsel representing all of the Holders in connection with such Initial Shelf Registration
Statement that are incurred prior to the effectiveness thereof shall be borne
by the Company, (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of the registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock and (vi) Securities
Act liability insurance obtained by the Company in its sole
discretion. In addition, the Company shall pay the internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries
and expenses of officers and employees performing legal or accounting
duties), the expense of any annual audit, the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing by the Company of the
Registrable Securities on any securities exchange on which similar
securities of the Company are then listed and the fees and expenses of any person, including special experts, retained by the
Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, each seller of
Registrable Securities shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and any stock transfer taxes in connection with any
underwritten offering. Section 6.
Indemnification. (a) Indemnification by the
Company. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Notice Holder, each underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act)
for such Holder, each director,
officer or Affiliate of any of the foregoing Persons and each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of either Section 15
of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any of the
foregoing Persons (collectively the Holder Indemnified Parties), from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) (collectively,
Losses) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments
or supplements thereto) or the Disclosure Package, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, except insofar as such Losses are caused by any
such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission based upon information relating to such Holder Indemnified Party furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder
Indemnified Party expressly for use therein; provided, that the
Company shall not be liable to any Holder Indemnified Party to the extent that such Losses arise out of or are based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact or
omission or alleged omission if either (i) (A) such Holder Indemnified Party was required by law to send or deliver, and failed to
send or deliver, a copy of the Prospectus with or prior to delivery
written confirmation of the sale by such Holder Indemnified Party to the Person asserting the claims from which the Losses arise
and (B) the Prospectus would have corrected such untrue statement
or omission or alleged omission or (ii) (A) such Holder Indemnified Party disposed of Registrable Securities to the Person
asserting the claim from which such Losses arise pursuant to a Registration
Statement and sent or delivered, or was required by law to send or deliver, a Prospectus to such Person in connection with the
disposition, (B) such Holder Indemnified Party received a Deferral
Notice in writing prior to the date of such disposition and (C) such untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was the
reason for the Deferral Notice. (b) Indemnification by
Holders. Each Holder agrees, if shares held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration is being
effected, severally and not jointly to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration
Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company
(within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) each underwriter and each other
Holder, from and against all Losses caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or the Disclosure D-10
Package, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only (i) with
reference to information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in such
Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, the
Disclosure Package or any amendments or supplements thereto or (ii) with respect to any Losses that may arise as a result of the
disposition by such Holder of Registrable Securities to the Person
asserting the claim from which such Losses arise pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto if such Holder sent or delivered, or was required by
law to send or deliver, a Prospectus in connection with such disposition, such Holder received a Deferral Notice with respect to
such prospectus in writing prior to the date of such disposition and the
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was the reason for the Deferral Notice. In no event
shall the liability of any Holder hereunder be greater in amount
than the dollar amount of the proceeds (if any) received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement giving rise to such indemnification
obligation. (c) Conduct of Indemnification
Proceedings. In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in
respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b), such Person (the Indemnified Party) shall promptly notify the Person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the Indemnifying Party) in writing and
the Indemnifying Party, upon request of the Indemnified Party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party to represent the Indemnified Party and any others the
Indemnifying Party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such
proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have
the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party
unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such
fees and expenses or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying
Party and the Indemnified Party and, in the reasonable judgment
of the Indemnified Party, representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that all such fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred upon presentation of a statement or statements thereof in reasonable detail and
subject to an undertaking to return such amounts if it is determined
that such party is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement in respect of such matter. The Indemnifying Party shall not
be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Party agrees
to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder
by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding. (d) Contribution. To the
extent that the indemnification provided for in Section 6(a) or 6(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient in
respect of any Losses referred to therein,
then each Indemnifying Party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party thereunder, shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of
such Losses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties
on the one hand and the Indemnified Party or parties on the other
hand from the offering of the Registrable Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by
applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or parties on the one hand
and of the Indemnified Party or parties on the other hand in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company and the Holders shall be deemed to
be equal to the aggregate Specified Value Per Share (as defined in the Merger Agreement) as of the Closing D-11
Date of the Registrable Securities to which such Losses relate. The relative
fault of the Holders on the one hand and the Company on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the Holders or by the
Company, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. The Holders respective obligations to contribute
pursuant to this paragraph are several in proportion to the respective number of Registrable Securities they have sold pursuant to
a Registration Statement, and not joint. The parties hereto agree that it
would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if
the Holders were treated as one entity
for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by
an Indemnified Party as a result of the Losses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 6 are not exclusive
and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Party at law or in equity. (e) The indemnity, contribution and
expense reimbursement obligations of the parties hereunder shall be in addition to any liability any Indemnifying Party or
Indemnified Party may otherwise
have hereunder, under the Merger Agreement or otherwise. (f) The indemnity and contribution
provisions contained in this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this
Agreement, (ii) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person controlling any Holder, or the Company, or the Companys
officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) the
sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder. Section 7. Information
Requirements. The Company covenants that, for so long as it is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, it will
file the reports required to be filed by it
under the Exchange Act so as to enable any Holder to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. The
Company also covenants that, for so long as any Stockholder
holds any Registrable Securities, it will cooperate with any Holder and take such further reasonable action as any Holder may
reasonably request in writing (including, without limitation, making such
reasonable representations as any such Holder may reasonably request), all to the extent required from time to time to enable such
Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act and customarily
taken in connection with sales pursuant to such exemptions.
Upon the written request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied
with such filing requirements, unless such a statement has been
included in the Companys most recent report filed pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Section 8.
Miscellaneous. (a) Successor Entity;
Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc. The Company shall cause any Successor Entity to deliver to the Holders a written undertaking
confirming its obligations under this
agreement as a condition to any transaction pursuant to which such Successor Entity is formed. In addition, the Company shall cause
any other successor or assign (whether by merger, consolidation,
sale of assets or otherwise) to enter into a new registration rights agreement with the Holders with respect to the Registrable
Securities on terms substantially the same as this Agreement as a
condition of any such transaction. (b) No Inconsistent
Agreements. The Company represents and warrants that it has not granted to any Person the right to request or require the Company
to register any securities issued by the
Company that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement. The D-12
Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement. (c) Interpretation. Any
reference in this Agreement to a statute shall be to such statute, as amended from time to time prior to the date hereof, and to the
rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder prior to the date hereof. Any reference to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document or
instrument as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in
accordance with its terms. Unless the context otherwise requires, (1) all references made in this Agreement to an Article or
Section are to an Article or Section of this Agreement, (2) or is
disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive, (3) will shall be deemed to have the same meaning as the word
shall and (4) words in the singular include the plural and vice versa. Whenever the words
include, includes or including are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed
by the words without limitation, whether or not so followed. All references to $ or dollar
amounts are to lawful currency of the United States of America, unless otherwise expressly stated. The captions herein are included
for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the
construction or interpretation hereof. (d) Amendments and Waivers.
This Agreement may be amended or modified, and any of the terms hereof may be waived, only by written instrument duly executed by (i)
the Company and (ii)
Holders holding Registrable Securities representing at least a majority of the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by
all of the Holders, if subsequent to the Merger. No waiver by any
party of any term or condition contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a
waiver of the same or any other term or condition contained in
this Agreement on any future occasion. (e) Notices. All notices,
requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier
service or by facsimile: If to any Holder, to the address
for such Holder specified on the signature pages hereto. If to the Sellers
Representative, to: Triarc Companies, Inc. with a copy (which shall not
constitute notice) to: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
LLP If to the Company, to: Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. with a copy (which shall not
constitute notice) to: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP D-13
280 Park
Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Brian L. Schorr, Esq.
Fax: (212) 451-3216
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6064
Attention: Paul D. Ginsberg, Esq.
Fax: (212)
757-3990
c/o Peter
Rothschild
Daroth Capital Advisors LLC
750 Third Ave., 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
Fax: (212)
687-3200
767 Fifth
Avenue
New York, New York 10053
Attention: Simeon Gold, Esq.
Fax: (212) 310-8007
or to such other Persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as may be designated
in writing by the Person entitled to receive such communication as provided above. Each such communication shall be
effective (i) if delivered by hand, when such delivery is made at the address specified in this Section 8(e), (ii) if delivered by
overnight courier service, the next Business Day after such
communication is sent to the address specified in this Section 8 or (iii) if delivered by facsimile, when such facsimile is
transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section 8 and appropriate
confirmation is received. (f) Successors and Assigns;
Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
successors and permitted assigns; provided that
rights granted to any Holder hereunder may only be assigned in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities to the assignee
in accordance with the following sentence (the Permitted
Transferees) and may be further assigned as so provided by a Permitted Transferee to a subsequent Permitted Transferee.
In connection with any transfer by a Holder of Registrable Securities, the
transferring Holder may assign to the transferee all of its rights and related obligations under this Agreement with respect to any
Registrable Securities so transferred, and upon the Companys receipt
from the assignee of a completed and executed Joinder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, such assignee will be
deemed to also be a Holder under this Agreement. The Company shall not
assign this Agreement, in whole or in part. Any purported assignment not in accordance with this Agreement shall be null and
void. Except as provided in Section 6, this Agreement is
not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement. (g) Counterparts. This
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the
same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by
the other party hereto. (h) Governing Law. This
Agreement and any claim or controversy relating hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of
New York, without regard to the
conflicts of law rules of such state that would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction. (i) Jurisdiction. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any matter
arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or
any New York State court sitting in New York City, so long as one of such courts shall have subject matter jurisdiction over such
suit, action or proceeding, and that any cause of action arising out
of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the State of New York, and each of the parties
hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and
of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to
the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding which
is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without
the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing,
each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 8 shall be deemed effective service of process on
such party. (j) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. (k) Severability. The
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of that provision to any Person or any
circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable D-14
provision shall be substituted for that provision in order to carry out, so far
as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of the invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder
of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity
or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect
the validity or enforceability of that provision, or the application of that provision, in any other jurisdiction. (l) Entire Agreement. This
Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement. (m) Rules of Construction.
The parties to this Agreement have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and waive the
application of any laws or rule
of construction providing that ambiguities in any agreement or other document shall be construed against the party drafting such
agreement or other document. The headings in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. (n) Remedies. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, any and all remedies expressly conferred upon a party to this Agreement shall be cumulative
with, and not exclusive of, any other
remedy contained in this Agreement, at law or in equity. The exercise by a party to this Agreement of any one remedy shall not
preclude the exercise by it of any other remedy. (o) Specific Performance.
The parties to this Agreement agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions (without the payment or posting of any
bond) to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of
the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. (p) Termination. This
Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the date on which the Merger Agreement
is terminated in accordance with
the terms thereof or (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities held by all Holders (and any affiliate of a Holder or other
person with whom such Holder must aggregate sales under Rule 144)
can be sold without restriction (including volume and manner of sale restrictions) on a single day without registration in
compliance with Rule 144 and such Holder has received an opinion of counsel
to the Company to that effect; provided, that any liabilities or obligations under Section 4, 5, 6 or 7, shall survive
termination and remain in effect in accordance with their terms. (q) Sellers
Representative. The Holders acknowledge and agree to the provisions of Article IX of the Merger Agreement, which hereby are
incorporated herein by reference. D-15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
DEERFIELD
TRIARC
CAPITAL
CORP.
By:
/s/ Peter H. Rothschild
Name:
Peter H. Rothschild
Title:
Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp.
TRIARC
COMPANIES,
INC.,
By:
/s/ Nelson Peltz
Name:
Nelson Peltz
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
as
Sellers Representative
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
TRIARC
DEERFIELD
HOLDINGS,
LLC
By:
/s/ Nelson Peltz
Name:
Nelson Peltz
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
All notices, requests and other communications to the party above should be sent to:
EXHIBIT A ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION
RIGHTS 1.1. Request for
Registration. (a) If the Company shall receive a
written request from the Holders (the Initiating Holders) of at least twenty percent (20%) of the Registrable
Securities then outstanding, excluding for
purposes of determining such 20% any Registrable Securities held at such time by the Escrow Agent (as defined in the Merger
Agreement) (the Escrow Shares), that the Company file a
registration statement under the Securities Act, then the Company shall: (i) within seven (7) days of
the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all Holders; and (ii) use commercially
reasonable efforts to effect promptly, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Holders
request to be registered, subject to any
Deferral Periods, in a written request received by the Company within fifteen (15) days of the making of the notice pursuant to
Section 1.1(a)(i) of this Exhibit A. (b) The Company shall not be
obligated to effect, or to take any action to effect, any registration pursuant to this Section 1.1: (i) After the Company has
effected one (1) registration pursuant to this Section 1.1 and such registration statement has been declared or ordered effective and
has remained effective for the
applicable Effectiveness Period; provided, that if such request pursuant to this Section 1.1 is subsequently withdrawn by
the requester in writing, it shall not be counted against the limitation of
requests set forth in this Section 1.1(c)(i); (ii) If the Initiating Holders
propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made
pursuant to Section 1.4 below. 1.2. Company
Registration. (a) If (but without any obligation
to do so) the Company proposes to register any of its capital stock under the Securities Act for its own account or the account of
any of its stockholders with
registration rights (other than in connection with a registration effected solely to implement an employee benefit plan or
arrangement or a business combination transaction or any other similar
transaction for which a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act or any comparable successor form is
applicable), the Company will promptly give written notice thereof to the
Holders of Registrable Securities at least twenty (20) days prior to the filing of such registration statement, or such lesser time
that is reasonable taking into account the Companys contractual
obligation to file such registration statement. Upon the written request of each Holder given within fifteen (15) days after the
giving of such notice by the Company, the Company shall, subject to the
provisions of this Section 1.2, cause to be registered under the Securities Act in such registration statement all of the
Registrable Securities that each such Holder has requested to be registered. (b) In connection with any offering
involving an underwriting of shares of the Companys capital stock, the Company shall not be required under this Section 1.2 to
include any of the Holders
securities in such underwriting unless they accept the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the
underwriters selected by it, and then only in such quantity as the
underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company. Regardless of any
other provision of this Section 1.2, if the underwriter advises the
Company that marketing factors require a reduction in the number of shares to be underwritten, then the number of shares of
Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting shall be
allocated first, to the Company and the Person or Persons requesting such registration (if other than the Company) shall be
entitled to participate in accordance with the relative priorities, if any, as
shall exist among them; and then second, all other holders of securities having the right to include such securities in such
registration (including the Holders of the Registrable Securities) shall be
entitled to participate pro rata based on the number of shares requested to be sold by such Holders. D-A-1
The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration
initiated by it under this Section 1.2 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected
to include securities in such registration. The registration expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company
in accordance with Section 5 of the Agreement. 1.3. Form S-3
Registration. Notwithstanding anything in Section
1.1 or Section 1.2 of this Exhibit A to the contrary, in case the Company shall receive from the Holders of at least twenty percent
(20%) of Registrable
Securities then outstanding, excluding the Escrow Shares for purposes of such determination, a written request or requests that the
Company effect a registration on Form S-3 and any related
qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, and the
Company is then eligible to use Form S-3 for the resale of Registrable
Securities, the Company will: (a) promptly give written notice of
the proposed registration, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders; and (b) subject to any Deferral
Periods, promptly effect such registration and all such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or
facilitate the sale and distribution
of all or such portion of such Holders or Holders Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together
with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or
Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written
notice from the Company; provided, that the Company shall not be
obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance, pursuant to this Section 1.3: (i) if Form S-3 is not
available for such offering by the Holders; (ii) if the Holders, together
with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable
Securities at an aggregate price to
the public (net of any underwriters discounts or commissions) of less than $2.5 million; or (iii) if the Company has
effected a total of three (3) registrations pursuant to Section 1.1 and Section 1.3 of this Exhibit A, provided, that any such
registration shall be deemed to have been
effected if the registration statement relating thereto (A) has become or been declared or ordered effective under the
Securities Act, and any of the Registrable Securities of the Initiating
Holder(s) included in such registration have actually been sold thereunder and (B) has remained effective for the applicable
Effectiveness Period; or (c) Subject to the foregoing, the
Company shall file a registration statement covering the Registrable Securities and other securities so requested to be registered
promptly after receipt of the
request or requests of the Holders. Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 1.3 shall not be counted as requests for
registration effected pursuant to Section 1.1 or Section 1.2 respectively of
this Exhibit A. 1.4. Obligations of the
Company. Whenever required under Sections
1.1, 1.2 or 1.3 of this Exhibit A to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall comply with the
applicable obligations of the
Company under the Agreement, including Sections 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the Agreement. D-A-2
EXHIBIT B [FORM OF]
JOINDER [Date] [COMPANY] Ladies and Gentlemen: Reference is made to the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [], 2007
(the Agreement), with [BUYER] (the Company). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
herein are
used herein as defined in the Agreement. The undersigned
(Transferee) hereby: (i) acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Agreement; (ii) notifies the Company that, on
[Date], Transferee acquired from [insert name of assigning
Stockholder] [describe the Registrable Securities that were transferred] (the Transferred Securities)
and an assignment of such transferors rights under the Agreement with respect and to the
Transferred Securities, and the Transferee has assumed from such transferor the liability for any and all obligations under the
Agreement arising after the date of transfer related to the Transferred
Securities; (iii) advises the Company that, immediately after such transfer the further disposition of the Transferred Securities
is restricted under the Securities Act or subject to volume or manner of
sale limitations under Rule 144; and (iv) agrees to be bound by all terms of the Agreement with respect to the Transferred
Securities applicable to a Holder of such Transferred Securities as if the
Transferee was an original signatory to the Agreement. Notices to the Transferee for
purposes of the Agreement may be addressed to: [ ], [ ], Attn: [ ], Fax: [ ]. This document shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely
within that State. [Transferee] cc: [Transferor] D-B-1
[ADDRESS]
[By:]
Name:
[Title:]
FORM OF Dated: as of [ ], 2007
ESCROW AGREEMENT
by
and among
[ ]
as Escrow Agent,
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.,
as
Buyer
and
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
as Sellers Representative
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE 1.
Appointment of Escrow Agent
E-1 2.
Deposit of the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount
E-1 3.
Voting of the Escrow Shares
E-2 4.
Escrow Fund
E-3 5.
Other Instructions Received By Escrow Agent
E-5 6.
Release of Escrow
E-5 7.
Escrow Fund Statements
E-6 8.
Compensation
E-6 9.
Limitations On Duties of Escrow Agent
E-6 10.
Indemnification
E-7 11.
Resignation of Escrow Agent; Appointment of Successor Escrow Agent
E-8 12.
Definitions
E-8 13.
Amendment, etc.
E-9 14.
Notices
E-10 15.
Governing Law
E-10 16.
Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process
E-10 17.
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
E-11 18.
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
E-11 19.
Severability
E-11 20.
Assignment
E-11 21.
Remedies
E-11 22.
Specific Performance
E-11 23.
Counterparts
E-11 24.
Certain Tax Matters
E-11 25.
Entire Agreement
E-12 26.
Payment Dates
E-12 Schedules Schedule I
Fully Diluted Percentage Interests Annexes Annex I
Form of Certificate of Instruction Annex II
Form of Objection Certificate Annex III
Form of Resolution Certificate Annex IV
Form of Litigation Certificate Annex V
Form of Buyer Cancellation Certificate Annex VI
Form of Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate i
ESCROW AGREEMENT THIS ESCROW AGREEMENT (this
Agreement) is made and entered into as of [ ], 2007 by and among
[ ], a [ ] banking corporation, as
escrow agent (the Escrow
Agent), Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (the Buyer) and Triarc Companies, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation in its capacity as Sellers Representative pursuant to the Merger
Agreement defined below (in such capacity, the Sellers Representative). Capitalized terms used in this
Agreement without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 13. WHEREAS, the Buyer, DFR Merger
Company, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer (Buyer
Sub), Deerfield & Company LLC, an
Illinois limited liability company (the Company), and the Sellers Representative have entered into the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 19, 2007 (the Merger Agreement),
pursuant to which on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, inter alia, at the Effective Time (as defined
therein), Buyer Sub will, in accordance with the Illinois Limited Liability
Company Act, as amended, merge with and into the Company (the Merger) and each of the Membership Interests
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (such holders, the
Eligible Members) shall be converted into the pro rata right to receive a combination of Buyer Common
Stock and cash; WHEREAS, pursuant to Section
3.3(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement, the Buyer will deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the Escrow Agent a certificate or
certificates representing 2,504,817
shares of Buyer Common Stock (the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount); WHEREAS, the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative desire to create an escrow account for the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount and any dividends or
distributions declared or paid on the
Share Indemnity Escrow Amount (including any income and interest earned or accrued with respect thereto) and to appoint the Escrow
Agent as the escrow agent for such account upon the terms
and conditions set forth below; WHEREAS, it is a condition to the
obligations of the parties to effect the Merger that the parties hereto enter into this Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent is not a
party to the Merger Agreement, is not bound by any of its terms and will not be required to refer to such agreement for any reason
whatsoever. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of
the foregoing and the agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby
acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows: 1. Appointment of Escrow
Agent. The Buyer and the Sellers
Representative hereby appoint the Escrow Agent as the escrow agent under and pursuant to the terms, conditions and provisions of this
Agreement, and the Escrow
Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties thereof subject to the terms, conditions and provisions of
this Agreement. The Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt of an
executed copy of this Agreement. 2. Deposit of the Share
Indemnity Escrow Amount. (a) Simultaneously with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) the Buyer is depositing with the Escrow Agent, on behalf of the Eligible Members, a
certificate or certificates
representing the Share Indemnity Escrow Amount (the Escrow Shares) and (ii) the Eligible Members are delivering to the
Escrow Agent duly executed stock transfer powers relating to the Share
Indemnity Escrow Amount. The Escrow Shares and Cash Escrow described below are collectively referred to as the Escrow
Fund. Promptly following the receipt of the Escrow Shares, the Escrow
Agent shall confirm in writing to the Buyer that the Escrow Shares were received by it and the number of Escrow Shares
received. (b) The Escrow Agent hereby agrees
to establish and maintain the Escrow Fund in a separate account and shall invest the cash portion of the Escrow Fund, as determined
by the Sellers
Representative, from time to time, in writing, in (i) designated readily marketable direct obligations E-1
of, or obligations the principal and interest on which are unconditionally
guaranteed by, the United States of America (U.S. Securities), (ii) bank time deposits evidenced by certificates
of deposit
issued by commercial banks in the United States having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000, (iii) money market funds
registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, that seek to maintain a stable $1 net asset value and that are rated AAA (or the equivalent thereof) or better
by Moodys Investors Service Inc. or Standard and Poors
Corporation or (iv) the Escrow Agents insured money market fund or a money market fund that invests only in U.S. Securities,
or if not so directed, in Service Class Shares of the U.S. Government
Portfolio of the Wilmington Funds, a mutual fund managed by Rodney Square Management Corporation, a subsidiary of the Escrow Agent
(the Wilmington Mutual Fund) (collectively, all
investments referred to in this sentence are referred to herein as Permitted Investments). The parties hereto
acknowledge that (w) shares in the Wilmington Mutual Fund are not obligations of
Wilmington Trust Company, are not deposits and are not insured by the FDIC, (x) the Escrow Agent or its affiliates are compensated
by the Wilmington Mutual Fund for services rendered in its
capacity as investment advisor, custodian and/or transfer agent, (y) Wilmington Trust Company, or its affiliates, are also
compensated by the Wilmington Mutual Fund for providing shareholder
services and (z) such compensation is both described in detail in the prospectus for the fund, and is in addition to the
compensation paid to Wilmington Trust Company in its capacity as the Escrow
Agent hereunder. The Escrow Agent shall hold and dispose of the Escrow Fund in accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions
of this Agreement. (c) Except as provided in Section
24, any dividends and other distributions declared and paid with respect to the Escrow Shares, and any income and interest earned or
accrued with respect to
the cash portion of the Escrow Fund (the Cash Escrow) shall be held in the Escrow Fund and for all purposes of
this Agreement shall be deemed to be part of the Escrow Fund. (d) The Escrow Fund shall not be
subject to any Lien by any creditor of any party hereto or any party connected to or affiliated with the Sellers Representative
and shall be used solely for the
purpose set forth on this Agreement. (e) The Escrow Fund, and any income
and interest earned or accrued with respect to the Cash Escrow and any dividends and other distributions declared with respect to the
Escrow Shares, shall
not be available to, and shall not be used by, the Escrow Agent to set off any obligations of the Buyer or the Eligible Members
owing to the Escrow Agent in any capacity, except as expressly
provided herein. (f) In the event that the Escrow
Shares are exchanged for any other securities and/or cash or other property by reason of a conversion, merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization or
similar corporate transaction, such securities and/or property shall be substituted for the Escrow Shares for purposes of this
Agreement and all references to Buyer Common Stock in this Agreement
shall be deemed to refer to such securities, and the Sellers Representative and the Buyer shall agree to such equitable
adjustments in the provisions of this Agreement as may be necessary to give
effect to this sentence. Prompt written notice of any such exchange shall be provided by the Buyer to the Escrow Agent and the
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such notice.
No such exchange shall affect the Escrow Agents rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement. 3. Voting of the Escrow
Shares. Prior to the later to occur of (i) the Termination Date (as defined below) and (ii) the time at which all Escrow Shares
have been distributed to the Eligible
Members pursuant to this Agreement, each Eligible Member will have voting rights with respect to the Escrow Shares pro rata
in proportion to each such Eligible Members Fully Diluted Percentage
Interest and the Escrow Agent and the Buyer shall cooperate with the exercise of such rights as reasonably requested by such
Eligible Members. The Eligible Members Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests are set forth in Schedule I of this Agreement. While the Escrow
Shares remain in the Escrow Agents possession pursuant to this Agreement, the Eligible Members shall retain and be able to
exercise all other
incidents of ownership of the Escrow Shares which are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the
Merger Agreement. E-2
4. Escrow Fund. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 5, the Escrow Fund shall be held and disposed of by the Escrow Agent as follows: (a) Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, if payment is required by the Eligible Members pursuant to Sections 3.5, 6.4(b) or 6.10(b) of the Merger Agreement and the
Buyer has elected to
withdraw the amount of any such payment from the Escrow Fund, then each of the Buyer and the Sellers Representative promptly
shall provide a joint written notice to the Escrow Agent
instructing the Escrow Agent to deliver to the Buyer, within two Business Days after such date, from the Escrow Fund, an amount
equal to all (but not less than all) of the aggregate amount of any
such payment allocable to the Eligible Members. (b) Claims for Indemnification
Against the Company. (i) Concurrently with the delivery
by the Buyer to the Sellers Representative of notice of an Indemnification Claim under the Merger Agreement, the Buyer will
deliver to the Escrow Agent a
certificate in substantially the form of Annex I attached hereto (a
Certificate of Instruction). No Certificate of Instruction may be delivered by the Buyer after the close of
business on the day on which the claim underlying such
Certificate of Instruction expires under Section 11.1 of the Merger Agreement, and in any event no Certificate of Instruction may
be delivered by the Buyer after the close of business on the Business
Day immediately preceding the Termination Date. The Escrow Agent shall give written notice to the Sellers Representative of
its receipt of a Certificate of Instruction not later than the third
Business Day following receipt thereof, together with a copy of such Certificate of Instruction. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled
to conclusively rely on any Certificate of Instruction provided to it
by the Buyer and shall have no duty to determine if any such Certificate of Instruction has been provided to the Escrow Agent in
violation of this Section 4(b). (ii) If the Escrow Agent (A) shall
not, within 30 calendar days following its receipt of a Certificate of Instruction (the Objection Period), have
received from the Sellers Representative a
certificate in substantially the form of Annex II attached hereto (an
Objection Certificate) disputing the Sellers Representatives obligation to pay the Owed Amount
referred to in such Certificate of Instruction, or (B) shall have
received such an Objection Certificate within the Objection Period and shall thereafter have received either (i) a certificate from
the Buyer and the Sellers Representative substantially in the form of Annex III attached hereto (a Resolution Certificate) stating that the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative have agreed that the Owed Amount referred to in such Certificate of Instruction (or a
specified portion thereof) is payable to the applicable Buyer Indemnified Parties or (ii) a copy of a final and non-appealable
order of a court of competent jurisdiction (accompanied by a certificate
of the Buyer and the Sellers Representative substantially in the form of Annex IV attached hereto (a Litigation Certificate)) stating that the Owed Amount referred to in
such Certificate of Instruction (or a specified portion thereof) is payable to the applicable Buyer
Indemnified Parties, then the Escrow Agent shall, on the Business Day next following (I) the expiration of the Objection Period or
(II) the Escrow Agents receipt of a Resolution Certificate or a
Litigation Certificate, as the case may be, deliver to the Buyer, from the Escrow Fund, an amount equal to the Owed Amount (or, if
such Resolution Certificate or Litigation Certificate specifies that
a lesser amount than such Owed Amount is payable, such lesser amount). The Escrow Agent shall give written notice to the Buyer of
its receipt of an Objection Certificate not later than the third
Business Day following receipt thereof, together with a copy of such Objection Certificate. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to
conclusively rely on any Objection Certificate, Resolution Certificate
or Litigation Certificate provided to it by the Sellers Representative or the Buyer, respectively, and shall have no duty to
determine if any such Objection Certificate, Resolution Certificate or
Litigation Certificate has been provided to the Escrow Agent in violation of this Section 4(b). (iii) Upon the payment by the
Escrow Agent of the Owed Amount referred to in a Certificate of Instruction, such Certificate of Instruction shall be deemed
canceled. Upon the receipt by the
Escrow Agent of a Resolution Certificate or a Litigation Certificate and the payment by the Escrow Agent of the Owed Amount
referred to therein, the related Certificate of Instruction shall be
deemed canceled. E-3
(iv) Upon the determination by the
applicable Buyer Indemnified Parties that it has no claim or has released its claim with respect to an Owed Amount referred to in a
Certificate of Instruction
(or a specified portion thereof), the Buyer shall, not later than the third Business Day following such determination or release,
deliver to the Escrow Agent a Certificate substantially in the form of Annex V attached hereto (a Buyer Cancellation Certificate) canceling such
Certificate of Instruction (or such specified portion thereof, as the case may be), and such Certificate of Instruction (or
portion thereof) shall thereupon be deemed canceled. The Escrow Agent shall give written notice to the Sellers Representative
of its receipt of a Buyer Cancellation Certificate not later than the
third Business Day following receipt thereof, together with a copy of such Buyer Cancellation Certificate. The Escrow Agent shall
be entitled to conclusively rely on any Buyer Cancellation
Certificate provided to it by the Buyer and shall have no duty to determine if any such Buyer Cancellation Certificate has been
provided to the Escrow Agent in violation of this Section 4(b). (v) If a Resolution Certificate or
a Litigation Certificate delivered pursuant to 4(b)(ii) indicates that the portion of the Owed Amount that is payable is less than
the entire Owed Amount
indicated on the applicable Certificate of Instruction, the Certificate of Instruction shall be deemed cancelled as to the
difference between the Owed Amount and the portion of the Owed Amount
payable pursuant to the Resolution Certificate or the Litigation Certificate, as the case may be. Upon receipt of a final and
non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction stating that none
of the Owed Amount referred to in a Certificate of Instruction as to which the Sellers Representative delivered an Objection
Certificate within the Objection Period is payable by the Company to
the applicable Buyer Indemnified Parties who delivered the applicable notice of Indemnification Claim, the Sellers
Representative may deliver a copy of such order (accompanied by a certificate of
the Sellers Representative substantially in the form of Annex VI
attached hereto (a Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate)) canceling such Certificate of
Instruction, and such Certificate of Instruction shall thereupon be deemed canceled. The
Escrow Agent shall give written notice to the Buyer of its receipt of a Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate not
later than the third Business Day following receipt thereof, together with a
copy of such Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any
Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate provided to it by the
Sellers Representative and shall have no duty to determine if any such Sellers Representative Cancellation Certificate
has been provided to the Escrow Agent in violation of this Section 4(b). (vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
all distributions from the Escrow Fund pursuant to this Section 4(b) shall be subject to the applicable limitations on the
indemnification rights of the Buyer
Indemnified Parties contained in Article XI of the Merger Agreement. (c) Other Applicable
Provisions. (i) If payment is to be made from
the Escrow Fund to the Buyer or a Buyer Indemnified Party under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b), such payment shall be made using the
Cash Escrow and the
Escrow Shares, pro rata in proportion to the amounts of cash and Permitted Investments, on the one hand, and Escrow Shares
(valued at their then Current Market Price), on the other hand,
contained in the Escrow Fund at such time. To the extent payment is to be made from the Escrow Fund to the Buyer or a Buyer
Indemnified Party under Section 4(a) or Section 4(b) in the form of
Escrow Shares, (x) the value of each such share shall be deemed to equal the Current Market Price as of the date of the final
determination of the Resolution Certificate or the Litigation Certificate,
as the case may be, or (if applicable) if no Objection Certificate is delivered, the date of the Certificate of Instruction, and
(y) a certificate or certificates evidencing in the aggregate a number of
whole Escrow Shares (rounding down to the nearest whole number) shall be delivered to the recipient. (ii) To the extent that the Escrow
Agent is required to deliver amounts from the Escrow Fund to the Buyer or the applicable Buyer Indemnified Parties under Section 4(a)
or Section 4(b), it
shall deliver to the Buyer or the applicable Buyer Indemnified Parties such amounts from the Escrow Fund free and clear of all
Liens attributable to the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity and,
in the case of Escrow Shares, stock transfer powers related thereto. The Buyer shall cause the transfer agent for the Buyer Common
Stock to cooperate with the Escrow Agent in providing
replacement E-4
stock certificates for shares of Buyer Common Stock in substitution for those
held by the Escrow Agent in order to enable the Escrow Agent to make distributions of Escrow Shares required under
this Agreement. (iii) No certificate shall be
delivered pursuant to this Section 4 unless it shall have been prepared in good faith by the party delivering such certificate, and
all certificates delivered pursuant to
this Section 4 shall represent bona fide notice for purposes of this Agreement. 5. Other Instructions Received
By Escrow Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Escrow Agent shall dispose of the Escrow Fund in accordance
with joint written instructions
of the Buyer and the Sellers Representative given at any time. Whenever this Agreement provides for a writing to be delivered
by the Buyer or the Sellers Representative to the Escrow Agent, the
Escrow Agent shall only rely on a writing signed by any vice president or more senior corporate officer on behalf of the
Sellers Representative and the Buyer. 6. Release of
Escrow. (a) Termination Date Release.
The escrow established by this Agreement shall terminate on [ ]1 (the
Termination Date); provided, that this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect
to the escrow until the resolution of all outstanding indemnification claims as to which the Escrow Agent has properly received a
Certificate of Instruction in accordance with Section 4(b)(i) on or
prior to the Termination Date, and such escrow shall continue with respect to such claims until such claims have been resolved in
accordance herewith. On the Termination Date, the Escrow Agent
shall deliver to the Eligible Members, pro rata based on such Eligible Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interest, the
remaining portion of the Escrow Fund, if any, less that amount of cash and
Permitted Investments and a number of Escrow Shares, pro rata in proportion to the amounts of cash and Permitted
Investments, on the one hand, and Escrow Shares (valued at their then Current
Market Price), on the other hand, contained in the Escrow Fund at such time, that is equal to the aggregate of all amounts
designated in the Certificates of Instruction received by the Escrow Agent
prior to the Termination Date that have not been canceled in accordance with clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 4(b). (b) Final Release. At such
time on or following the Termination Date as the final determination referred to in Section 4(a) has been made and all Certificates
of Instruction received by the
Escrow Agent prior to the Termination Date have been canceled in accordance with clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 4(b), the
Escrow Agent shall promptly deliver to Eligible Members, pro rata
based on each such Eligible Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interest, the remaining portion of the Escrow Fund, if any, and
this Agreement (other than Sections 8, 9, 10, and 13) shall
automatically terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each time a Certificate of Instruction is canceled after the Termination
Date, if the aggregate amount of cash and Permitted Investments plus the Current Market Value of the Escrow Shares remaining in the Escrow Fund at such time exceeds the
aggregate of all amounts designated in the Certificates of Instruction received by the
Escrow Agent prior to the Termination Date that have not been canceled in accordance with clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section
4(b), the Escrow Agent shall promptly deliver to the Eligible
Members, pro rata based on each such Eligible Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interest, an amount of cash and
Permitted Investments and a number of Escrow Shares, pro rata in proportion to
the amounts of cash and Permitted Investments, on the one hand, and Escrow Shares (valued at their then Current Market Price), on
the other hand, contained in the Escrow Fund at such time, that
is equal to such excess. (c) Other Applicable
Provisions. (i) To the extent Escrow Shares are
delivered in any release from the Escrow Fund under this Section 6, a certificate or certificates evidencing in the aggregate a
number of whole Escrow Shares
(rounding down to the nearest whole number) shall be delivered to the applicable Eligible Members. (ii) To the extent that the Escrow
Agent is required to release amounts from the Escrow Fund under this Section 6, it shall release such amounts from the Escrow Fund
free and clear of all
Liens 1 Note to Draft: To be conformed to the end of the Survival Period in the Merger
Agreement. E-5
attributable to the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity and, in the case of
Escrow Shares, stock transfer powers related thereto. 7. Escrow Fund Statements.
Not later than ten calendar days after the end of each calendar month during the term of this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall
deliver to the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative a statement reflecting the investment activity and month-end balance with respect to the cash portion
of the Escrow Fund during the prior month. 8. Compensation. In
consideration of the services provided by the Escrow Agent in the performance of its duties hereunder, the Buyer and the Eligible
Members agree to promptly reimburse the
Escrow Agent for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Escrow Agent with respect to this Agreement,
including reasonable fees of legal counsel, and to further compensate
the Escrow Agent in accordance with the fee arrangements described in a separate Fee Agreement between the Buyer, the Sellers
Representative and the Escrow Agent. It is expressly understood
by the parties hereto that such costs and expenses referred to in the preceding sentence shall be borne equally between the Buyer,
on one hand, and the Eligible Members, on the other hand;
provided, that, the obligations of the Eligible Members shall be funded using the Cash Escrow and the Escrow Shares, pro
rata in proportion to the amounts of cash and Permitted Investments, on the
one hand, and Escrow Shares (valued at their Current Market Price on the date of payment), on the other hand, contained in the
Escrow Fund at such time. 9. Limitations On Duties of
Escrow Agent. (a) All parties hereto acknowledge
that the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder are solely ministerial in nature and have been requested for their convenience. The
Escrow Agent shall not be
deemed to be the agent of, or the fiduciary for, either/any party hereto, or to have any legal or beneficial interest in the Escrow
Fund. The parties hereto agree that the Escrow Agent (i) is a party
to this Agreement only and has no duties or responsibilities in connection with, and shall not be charged with knowledge of, any
agreements related hereto and (ii) shall not be liable for any act or
omission taken or suffered in good faith with respect to this Agreement unless such act or omission is the result of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. In no event shall
the Escrow Agent be liable for punitive, consequential or incidental damages. (b) The Escrow Agent may consult
with legal counsel in connection with its duties hereunder and shall be fully protected and incur no liability relative to any action
or inaction taken in good
faith in accordance with the advice of such legal counsel and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for the negligence of such legal
counsel appointed by it with due care. The Escrow Agent shall have
no responsibility for determining the genuineness or validity of any certificate, document, notice or other instrument or item
presented to or deposited with it and shall be fully protected in acting in
accordance with any written instruction given to it by any of the parties hereto and reasonably believed by the Escrow Agent to
have been signed by the proper representatives of such parties. (c) The Escrow Agent shall not be
responsible for any losses relative to the investment or liquidation of the cash portion of the Escrow Fund, provided, that
the cash portion of the Escrow Fund
is invested and held in accordance with Section 2. In addition, the Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for assuring that the
Escrow Fund is sufficient for the disbursements contemplated under
Section 4 or under the Merger Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to break or cancel any investment to the extent
reasonably necessary or appropriate to make any payment required
hereby, and shall not be responsible for any costs or penalties associated therewith. (d) The parties hereto shall not
require the Escrow Agent to institute legal proceedings of any kind or to appear in, prosecute or defend any action relating to the
Merger Agreement. The
Escrow Agent shall not be required to defend any legal proceedings which may be instituted against it with respect to this
Agreement unless requested to do so in writing by any of the parties
hereto, and unless and until it is indemnified by the requesting party to the satisfaction of the Escrow Agent, in its sole and
absolute discretion, against the cost and expense of such defense including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of its legal counsel. If any conflicting demand shall be made upon the Escrow
Agent, it shall not be required to determine the same or take any
action thereon and may await settlement of the controversy by appropriate and non-appealable legal proceedings. Upon the
commencement of any action against or otherwise involving the Escrow E-6
Agent with respect to this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to
interplead the matter of this escrow in the Chosen Court (as defined in Section 16) and, in such event, the Escrow Agent
shall be relieved of and discharged from any and all obligations and liabilities under this Agreement. In any such action, the
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to the indemnities provided in Section 10
below. (e) To help the government fight
the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and
record information that identifies
each person who opens an account. For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity
the Escrow Agent will ask for documentation to verify its formation
and existence as a legal entity. The Escrow Agent may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and
authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the
entity or other relevant documentation. (f) The Escrow Agent will at no
time have any responsibility or liability for or with respect to the legality, validity and enforceability of the Merger Agreement or
any document referred to
therein, other than this Agreement. (g) The Escrow Agent will not be
liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with the instructions provided by the Buyer and/or
the Sellers
Representative, as applicable, in accordance with and subject to this Agreement. (h) No provision of this Escrow
Agreement will require the Escrow Agent to expend or risk funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any
of its rights or powers
hereunder, if the Escrow Agent has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such
risk or liability is not reasonably assured or provided to it. (i) The Escrow Agent will not be
responsible for or in respect of and makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of any provision of this Agreement or
for the due execution,
delivery or performance hereof by the other parties hereto. (j) The Escrow Agent will have no
personal liability for any error or judgment made in good faith by any employee or agent of the Escrow Agent unless such person was
grossly negligent. (k) The Escrow Agent will incur no
liability if, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation thereunder, or by any force majeure event,
including natural disaster, war or
other circumstances beyond its reasonable control, the Escrow Agent will be prevented or forbidden from doing or performing any act
or thing which the terms of this Agreement provide will or may
be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this
Agreement. (l) The Escrow Agent undertakes to
perform such duties, and only such duties, as are specifically set forth in this Agreement. No implied covenants or obligations will
be read into this
Agreement. (m) Whenever the Escrow Agent is
unable to decide between alternative courses of action permitted or required by the terms of this Agreement, or is unsure as to the
application, intent,
interpretation or meaning of any provision of this Agreement, the Escrow Agent will promptly give written notice (in such form as
will be appropriate under the circumstances) to the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative requesting instruction as to the course of action to be adopted, and, to the extent the Escrow Agent
acts in good faith in accordance with any such joint instruction received,
the Escrow Agent will not be liable on account of such action to any person. 10. Indemnification. The
Buyer, on the one hand, and the Eligible Members, on the other hand, shall severally and not jointly indemnify, protect, save and
hold harmless the Escrow Agent, its
directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the Indemnitees) from and against any and all
obligations, liabilities, claims, suits, judgments, losses, damages, costs or expenses of any kind or
nature, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements, which may be imposed on, incurred by, or
asserted against any of them in connection with this Agreement or the
Escrow Agents duties hereunder, except to the extent arising from the Escrow Agents or another Indemnitees gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The foregoing indemnities shall
survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent or the termination of this Agreement. It is E-7
expressly understood by the Buyer and the Eligible Members that all payments
made in connection with this paragraph shall be borne equally between the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Eligible
Members, on the other hand, and to the extent that the Buyer or the Eligible Members pays in excess of 50% of the aggregate
payments made in connection with this paragraph, the other party shall
reimburse either the Buyer or the Eligible Members, as the case may be, in the amount of such excess. 11. Resignation of Escrow Agent;
Appointment of Successor Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent may resign as escrow agent at any time and be discharged of its duties
hereunder after thirty
calendar days notice to the Buyer and the Sellers Representative, but only if a successor escrow agent has been jointly
appointed by the Buyer and the Sellers Representative prior to the effective
date of the Escrow Agents resignation. In addition, the Escrow Agent may be removed and replaced on a date designated in a
written instrument signed by the Buyer and the Sellers Representative
and delivered to the Escrow Agent. Upon receipt of notice of resignation or removal, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative
promptly shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to designate a
successor escrow agent to serve in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the case of a resignation, if the Buyer and the
Sellers Representative cannot unanimously agree on a successor
escrow agent during such thirty day period, the Escrow Agent shall have the right to appoint (or, at the expense of the Buyer and
the Sellers Representative (each of the Buyer, on one hand, and
the Sellers Representative, on the other hand, being liable for 50% of such expense), to petition a court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint) a successor escrow agent to serve in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement. Any successor escrow agent shall be a banking corporation or trust company having total assets in
excess of $300,000,000, which shall agree in writing to be bound by the
provisions hereof. Upon the appointment of a successor escrow agent by the parties hereunder, the Escrow Agents duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement shall terminate. If (a) the Escrow
Agent shall merge or consolidate with another corporation or shall sell all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to
another corporation and (b) such surviving corporation or transferee is a
banking corporation or trust company having total assets in excess of $300,000,000, the surviving corporation or transferee, as
applicable, shall be the escrow agent hereunder without any further act
on the part of any of the parties to this Agreement, and shall be bound by the terms of this Agreement. 12. Definitions. The
following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings: Agreement has
the meaning set forth in the preamble. Business Day
means any day, other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks in Wilmington, Delaware or New York City are permitted or required
by law to be closed, and shall consist
of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight Eastern time. Buyer has the
meaning set forth in the preamble. Buyer Cancellation
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(iv). Buyer Common
Stock means the commons stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Buyer. Buyer Indemnified
Parties has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Buyer Sub has
the meaning set forth in the recitals. Cash Escrow has
the meaning set forth in Section 2. Certificate of
Instruction has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(i). Chosen Court has
the meaning set forth in Section 16. Closing Date has
the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Closing Price
means, with respect to any shares of Buyer Common Stock as of the date of determination, the closing price per share of a share of
Buyer Common Stock on such date published
in The Wall Street Journal (National Edition) or, if no such closing price on such date is published in The Wall Street Journal
(National Edition), the average of the closing bid and asked prices on
such date, as officially reported on the principal national securities exchange on which shares of Buyer Common Stock are then
listed or admitted to trading. E-8
Code means the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Current Market
Price means, with respect to a share of Buyer Common Stock, on any date of determination, the average of the daily Closing
Price of shares of Buyer Common Stock for the
immediately preceding ten days on which the national securities exchanges are open for trading. Eligible Members
has the meaning set forth in the recitals. Escrow Agent has
the meaning set forth in the preamble. Escrow Fund has
the meaning set forth in Section 2. Escrow Shares
has the meaning set forth in Section 2. Fee Agreement
means that agreement between the Buyer and the Escrow Agent whereby the Escrow Agent will receive its compensation. Fully Diluted Percentage
Interest has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Indemnification
Claim has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Indemnitees has
the meaning set forth Section 10. Liens means any
liens, pledges, security interests, claims, encumbrances, options, rights of first refusal or offer, mortgages, deeds of trust,
easements, restrictive covenants, encroachments or
other survey defects or any other restriction or third party right, including restrictions on the right to vote equity
interests. Litigation
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(ii). Membership
Interests has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement. Merger has the
meaning set forth in the recitals. Merger Agreement
has the meaning set forth in the recitals. Objection
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(ii). Objection Period
has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(ii). Owed Amount has
the meaning in the applicable Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or Litigation Certificate. Permitted
Investments has the meaning set forth in Section 2. Person means an
individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization,
including an unincorporated organization, a
government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof. Resolution
Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(ii). Sellers
Representative has the meaning set forth in the preamble. Sellers
Representative Cancellation Certificate has the meaning set forth in Section 4(b)(v). Share Indemnity Escrow
Amount has the meaning set forth in the recitals. Termination Date
has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b). U.S. Securities
has the meaning set forth in Section 2. Wilmington Mutual
Fund has the meaning set forth in Section 2. 13. Amendment, etc. This
Agreement may be amended or modified, and any of the terms hereof may be waived, only by written instrument duly executed by each of
the Buyer, the Sellers
Representative and the Escrow Agent, which in the case of the Escrow Agent, such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned. No waiver by any party of any term or
condition contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or
any other term or condition contained in this Agreement on any
future occasion. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent may, but will not be obligated to, enter into
any such amendment which adversely affects the Escrow Agents
rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement or otherwise. E-9
14. Notices. Any notice or other communication
required or which may be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telecopied or sent by email,
overnight courier or
certified, registered or express mail, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered personally, telecopied (upon
electronic confirmation) or by email, or if sent by overnight courier,
one day after the date of such sending, or if mailed, two days after the date of mailing, as follows: If to the Sellers
Representative: Triarc Companies, Inc. With a copy to: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
LLP If to the Buyer or Buyer
Sub: Deerfield Triarc Capital Corp. With a copy to: Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP If to the Escrow Agent: [ ] With a copy to: [ ] [ ] 15. Governing Law. This
Agreement and any claim or controversy related hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of
New York without giving effect to
the principles of conflict of laws thereof. 16. Consent to Jurisdiction and
Service of Process. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the parties hereto agree that any suit, action or
proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement shall be brought in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York or any New
York State court sitting in New York City (each, a Chosen Court), so long as one of such courts shall E-10
280 Park
Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212) 451-3216
Attention: Brian L. Schorr, Esq.
1285 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019-6064
Facsimile: (212) 757-3990
Attention: Paul D Ginsberg,
Esq.
c/o Peter
Rothschild
Daroth Capital Advisers LLC
750 Third Avenue, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10017
Facsimile: (212)
687-3200
767 Fifth
Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attention: Simeon Gold, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
Facsimile:
Attention:
have subject matter jurisdiction over such suit, action or proceeding, and that
any cause of action arising out of this Agreement shall be deemed to have arisen from a transaction of business in the
State of New York, and each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the Chosen Court (and of the
appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or
proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the
laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in the
Chosen Court or that any such suit, action or proceeding which is brought in the Chosen Court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be
served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of the Chosen Court. Without limiting the
foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as
provided in Section 14 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. 17. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY
AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THEREBY. 18. No Third-Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties to this
Agreement, the Indemnitees under Section 10
and any Buyer Indemnified Parties. 19. Severability. The
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of that provision to any party or any
circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable
provision shall be substituted for that provision in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and
purpose of the invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder
of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other parties or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity
or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect
the validity or enforceability of that provision, or the application of that provision, in any other jurisdiction. 20. Assignment. The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, that no party may
assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of each other
party hereto. 21. Remedies. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, any and all remedies expressly conferred upon a party to this Agreement shall be cumulative
with, and not exclusive of, any other
remedy contained in this Agreement, at law or in equity. The exercise by a party to this Agreement of any one remedy shall not
preclude the exercise by it of any other remedy. 22. Specific Performance.
The parties to this Agreement agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance
with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions (without the payment or posting of any
bond) to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of
the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. 23. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the
same instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received a counterpart hereof signed by
the other party hereto. 24. Certain Tax Matters. The
parties hereto agree that the Eligible Members will be deemed to be owners of the Escrow Fund for income tax purposes in accordance
with each such Eligible
Members Fully Diluted Percentage Interest, and that they will report all income, if any, that is earned on, or derived from,
the cash portion of the Escrow Fund as the income of such Person in E-11
the taxable year or years in which such income is properly includible and pay
any taxes attributable thereto; provided, however, that in order to permit each Eligible Member to satisfy its tax
obligations hereunder, upon issuance of an IRS Form 1099 by the Escrow Agent to such Eligible Member with respect to taxable income
or gain, the Escrow Agent shall deliver to such Eligible
Member an amount of cash equal to 40% of the amount of such taxable income or gain during the period covered by and included on
such IRS Form 1099 issued to such Eligible Member. 25. Entire Agreement. This
Agreement (including all Schedules and Annexes hereto) constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter
of this Agreement. 26. Payment Dates. Whenever
any payment under this Agreement shall be due on a day other than a Business Day, that payment shall be made on the next succeeding
Business Day. E-12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed
and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.
[ ]
By:
Name:
Title:
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
Name:
Title:
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
By:
Name:
Title:
as Sellers Representative
ANNEX I FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF
INSTRUCTION to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, Deerfield Triarc
Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (the Buyer), pursuant to Section 4(b)(i) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [
], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative, (terms defined in said Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when
used herein), hereby: (a) certifies that (i) [the
Buyer]/[a Buyer Indemnified Party] has sent to the Sellers Representative a notice of Indemnification Claim, a copy of which
written notice is attached hereto, and (ii)
the amount of $___________ (the Owed Amount) is payable to [the Buyer]/[such Buyer Indemnified Party] by the
Company pursuant to Section 11.2(a) of the Merger Agreement by reason of the
matter described in such notice of Indemnification Claim; and (b) instructs you to deliver to
[the Buyer]/[such Buyer Indemnified Party] $_____ from the Escrow Fund payable as provided in Section 4(c) of the Escrow Agreement
within 10 Business Days
following the expiration of the Objection Period, unless you receive an Objection Certificate from the Sellers Representative
prior to the expiration of the Objection Period.
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
______________________________
Name:
Title: Dated: _________________, 200__
ANNEX II FORM OF OBJECTION
CERTIFICATE to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, pursuant to
Section 4(b)(ii) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and Sellers Representative (terms defined in said
Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when used herein), hereby: (a) disputes that the Owed Amount
referred to in the Certificate of Instruction dated _________, ____ is payable to [the Buyer]/[the Buyer Indemnified Party] by the
Company pursuant to
Section 11.2(a) of the Merger Agreement; (b) certifies that the undersigned
has sent to [ ] a written statement dated ___________, ____, a copy of which is
attached hereto, disputing the liability of the Company to [the Buyer]/[the
Buyer Indemnified Party] for the Owed Amount; and (c) objects to your making payment
to [the Buyer]/[the Buyer Indemnified Party] as provided in such Certificate of Instruction.
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title: Dated: _________________, 200__
as Sellers Representative
ANNEX III FORM OF RESOLUTION
CERTIFICATE to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, pursuant to
Section 4(b)(ii) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative (terms defined in
said Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when used herein), hereby: (a) certify that (i) [the Buyer]/[a
Buyer Indemnified Party] and the Company have resolved their dispute as to the matter described in the Certificate of Instruction
dated __________, ____ and
the related Objection Certificate dated ___________, ____ and (ii) the final Owed Amount with respect to the matter described in
such Certificates is $______________; (b) instruct you to deliver to [the
Buyer]/[a Buyer Indemnified Party] from the Escrow Fund, an amount equal to $_______, payable as provided in Section 4(c) of the
Escrow Agreement in each
case, within 10 Business Days following your receipt of this Certificate; and (c) agree that the Owed Amount
designated in such Certificate of Instruction, to the extent, if any, it exceeds the Owed Amount referred to in clause (ii) of
paragraph (a) above, shall be
deemed not payable by the Company to [the Buyer]/[such Buyer Indemnified Party] and such Certificate of Instruction is hereby
canceled.
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
______________________________
Name:
Title:
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title: Dated: _________________, 200__
as Sellers Representative
ANNEX IV FORM OF LITIGATION
CERTIFICATE to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, pursuant to
Section 4(b)(ii) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative (terms defined in
said Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when used herein), hereby: (a) certify that (i) attached
hereto is an order of a court of competent jurisdiction resolving the dispute between [the Buyer]/[a Buyer Indemnified Party] and the
Company as to the matter
described in the Certificate of Instruction dated ____________, ____ and the related Objection Certificate dated ____________, ____
and (ii) the final Owed Amount with respect to the matter
described in such Certificates, as provided in such order, is $______________; (b) instruct you to deliver to [the
Buyer]/[such Buyer Indemnified Party] from the Escrow Fund, an amount equal to $______, payable as provided in Section 4(c) of the
Escrow Agreement, in
each case, within 10 Business Days following your receipt of this Certificate; and (c) agree that the Owed Amount
designated in such Certificate of Instruction, to the extent, if any, it exceeds the Owed Amount referred to in clause (ii) of
paragraph (a) above, shall be
deemed not payable by the Company to [the Buyer]/[such Buyer Indemnified Party] and such Certificate of Instruction is hereby
canceled.
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
_______________________________
Name:
Title:
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title: Dated: _________________, 200__
as Sellers Representative
ANNEX V FORM OF BUYER CANCELLATION
CERTIFICATE to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, Deerfield Triarc
Capital Corp., a Maryland corporation (the Buyer), pursuant to Section 4(b)(iv) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [
], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative (terms defined in said Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when
used herein), hereby: (a) certifies that (i) it hereby
releases its claim against the Company with respect to [all] [specify portion] of the Owed Amount designated in the Certificate of
Instruction dated _____________,
____ and (ii) as a result the Owed Amount with respect to such Certificate of Instruction is $__________; and (b) agrees that such Certificate of
Instruction is, to the extent released as provided in clause (i) of paragraph (a) above, canceled.
DEERFIELD TRIARC CAPITAL CORP.
By:
_______________________________
Name:
Title Dated: _________________, 200__
ANNEX VI FORM OF SELLERS REPRESENTATIVE
CANCELLATION CERTIFICATE to [ ], as Escrow Agent The undersigned, pursuant to
Section 4(b)(v) of the Escrow Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2007, by and among the
Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers Representative (terms defined in
said Escrow Agreement have the same meanings when used herein), hereby certifies that (i) attached hereto is a final, nonappealable
order of a court of competent jurisdiction resolving the dispute
between [the Buyer]/[the Buyer Indemnified Party] and the Sellers Representative as to the matter described in the
Certificate of Instruction dated ____________, ____ and the related Objection
Certificate dated ____________, ____, (ii) as provided in such order, there is no Owed Amount with respect to the matter described
in such Certificate, and (iii) this Sellers Representative
Cancellation Certificate is being rendered by the Sellers Representative in good faith and that [the Buyer]/[the Buyer
Indemnified Party] and the Escrow Agent may rely on such good faith
determination.
TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.,
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title: Dated: _________________, 200__
as Sellers Representative
Schedule I Fully Diluted Percentage
Interests Eligible
Members
Fully Diluted Percentage Interests Total
100.0
% Sch. I-1