AND CLASS V GROUP MATTERS
| 1. | General Policy |
The Class V Common Stock is intended to initially reflect the direct and indirect economic rights of Denali Holding Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in [ ] shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of VMware, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“VMware”), and [ ] shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of VMware, in each case as owned by the Company as of the Effective Date. From time to time additional assets and liabilities may be allocated and reallocated to the Class V Group in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Bylaws of the Company and as set forth herein.
All material matters as to which the holders of DHI Common Stock and the holders of Class V Common Stock may have potentially divergent interests will be resolved in a manner that the Board of Directors or any committee appointed by the Board of Directors to so act (in either case, the “Board”) of the Company and, where expressly provided herein or in the Bylaws, the Capital Stock Committee (as defined below) determine in accordance with such directors’ business judgment to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders as a whole. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Certificate of Incorporation.
To the extent this or any subsequent policy statement (this “Policy Statement”) conflicts with any agreement that may exist from time to time between VMware and EMC (collectively, the “EMC/VMware Agreements”), the terms of such EMC/VMware Agreement shall control, and shall be deemed consistent with this Policy Statement.
| 2. | Amendment and Modification |
The Board may, with the approval of the Capital Stock Committee (as defined below) but without stockholder approval, subject in each case to any limitations set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Company and to any limitations imposed by the fiduciary duties of the Board or applicable law, change the policies set forth in this Policy Statement, including any resolution implementing the provisions of this Policy Statement. The Board also may, with the approval of the Capital Stock Committee but without stockholder approval, adopt additional policies or make exceptions with respect to the application of the policies described in this Policy Statement in connection with particular facts and circumstances, all as the Board may determine in accordance with its business judgment to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders as a whole. Any decision by the Board to amend, modify or rescind this Policy Statement shall require the approval of the Capital Stock Committee and will be final, binding and conclusive.
| 3. | Corporate Opportunities |
(i) Allocation. The Board will allocate any business opportunities and operations and any acquired assets and businesses between the DHI Group and the Class V Group (together, the “Groups”), in whole or in part, in a manner it considers in accordance with its business judgment to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders as a whole. Any allocation of this type may involve the consideration of a number of factors that the Board determines to be relevant including, without limitation:
| (a) | whether the business opportunity or operation, or the acquired asset or business, is principally within or related to the then existing scope of one Group’s business; |
| (b) | whether one Group is better positioned to undertake or have allocated to it that business opportunity or operation, acquired asset or business; and |
| (c) | existing contractual agreements and restrictions. |
(ii) No Prohibition. No Group will be prohibited from:
| (a) | engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the other Group; |
| (b) | doing business with any potential or actual supplier, competitor or customer of the other Group; or |
| (c) | engaging in, or refraining from, any other activities whatsoever relating to any of the potential or actual suppliers, competitors or customers of the other Group. |
(iii) No Duty, Responsibility or Obligation. In addition, neither the Company nor any Group will have any duty, responsibility or obligation:
| (a) | to communicate or offer any business or other corporate opportunity that one Group has to the other Group, including any business or other corporate opportunity that may arise that either Group may be financially able to undertake, and that is, from its nature, in the line of either Group’s business and is of practical advantage to either Group; |
| (b) | to have one Group provide financial support to the other Group; or |
| (c) | otherwise to have one Group assist the other Group. |
| 4. | Relationship between the Groups |
The Company will manage the businesses in the DHI Group and the businesses in the Class V Group in a manner intended to maximize the operations, assets and value of both Groups, and with complementary deployment of personnel, capital and facilities, consistent with their respective business objectives.
(i) Commercial Inter-Group Transactions. All material commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business between the Groups are intended, to the extent practicable, to be on terms consistent with terms that would be applicable to arm’s-length dealings with unrelated third parties. Neither Group is under any obligation to use or make available to its customers services provided by the other Group, and each Group may use or make available to its customers services provided by a competitor of the other Group.
(ii) Other Transfers of Assets and Liabilities. To the extent not governed by clause (i) above, the Board may, with the approval of the Capital Stock Committee but without stockholder approval, otherwise allocate and reallocate assets and liabilities from one Group to the other. Any such reallocation will be effected by:
| (a) | the reallocation of other assets or consideration (including services) of the transferee Group to the transferor Group and/or of liabilities of the transferor Group to the transferee Group; |
| (b) | in the case of a reallocation of assets, the creation of inter-Group debt owed by the transferee Group to the transferor Group or the reduction of inter-Group debt owed by the transferor Group to the transferee Group; |
| (c) | in the case of a reallocation of assets of the DHI Group to the Class V Group or an assumption by the DHI Group of liabilities of the Class V Group, an increase in the Number of Retained Interest Shares; |
| (d) | in the case of a reallocation of assets of the Class V Group to the DHI Group or an assumption by the Class V Group of liabilities of the DHI Group, a decrease in the Number of Retained Interest Shares; or |
| (e) | a combination of any of the above; |
in each case, in an amount having a fair value equivalent to the fair value of the assets or liabilities reallocated by the transferor Group. For these purposes, the fair value of the assets or liabilities transferred will be determined in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation to the extent applicable and otherwise by the Board with the approval of the Capital Stock Committee, in each case in good faith in accordance with its business judgment.
(iii) Treasury and Cash Management Policies. As of the Effective Date, all of the debt and preferred stock of the Company and its subsidiaries (other than debt and preferred stock of VMware and its subsidiaries) will be allocated to the DHI Group. Thereafter, the following will apply:
| (a) | The Company will attribute each future incurrence or issuance of external debt or preferred stock (other than debt and preferred stock of VMware and its subsidiaries) and the proceeds thereof to the DHI Group, except as otherwise provided with respect to Convertible Securities in paragraph (c) below or where the Board with the approval of the Capital Stock Committee determines that such debt or preferred stock is being incurred for the benefit of the Class V Group rather than the DHI Group. Any repurchases or repayment of debt or preferred stock will be charged to the Group to which such debt or preferred stock was allocated. |
| (b) | Debt attributed to the Class V Group (other than debt and preferred stock of VMware and its subsidiaries), including any loans made by the DHI Group to the Class V Group, will bear interest at a rate at which the Company could borrow such funds. Debt attributed to the DHI Group will bear interest at a rate equal to the difference between the Company’s actual interest expense and the interest expense allocated to the Class V Group (inclusive of the interest expense of the debt of VMware and its subsidiaries). Interest rates will be calculated on a quarterly basis. Dividends on any preferred stock attributed to the DHI Group will be charged to the DHI Group, and dividends on any preferred stock attributed to the Class V Group will be charged to the Class V Group. |
| (c) | The Company will attribute each future issuance of DHI Common Stock (or any Convertible Securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of DHI Common Stock) and the proceeds thereof to the DHI Group. The Company will attribute each future issuance of Class V Common Stock (or any Convertible Securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Class V Common Stock) and the proceeds thereof to the Class V Group, except to the extent the Company attributes any such issuance and the proceeds thereof to the DHI Group in respect of a reduction in the Number of Retained Interest Shares. |
| (d) | Dividends on DHI Common Stock will be charged against the DHI Group, and dividends on Class V Common Stock will be charged against the Class V Group. At the time of any dividend on Class V Common Stock while the Number of Retained Interest Shares is greater than zero, the Company will reallocate to the DHI Group a proportionate amount of assets of the Class V Group (of the same kind as paid as a dividend on Class V Common Stock) in respect of the Number of Retained Interest Shares. |
| (e) | Repurchases of DHI Common Stock will be charged against the DHI Group. Repurchases of Class V Common Stock may be charged either against the Class V Group and/or the DHI Group as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. If a repurchase of Class V Common Stock is charged against the DHI Group, such Class V Common Stock will be deemed to be purchased by the DHI Group, and the Number of Retained Interest Shares will be increased by the number of shares deemed to be so purchased. If a repurchase of Class V Common Stock is charged against the Class V Group, the Number of Retained Interest Shares shall not be changed as a result thereof. |
| (f) | The Company will account for all cash transfers from one Group to or for the account of the other Group (other than transfers in return for assets or services rendered or transfers in respect of the Number of Retained Interest Shares) as inter-Group revolving credit loans unless (i) the Board determines that a given transfer (or type of transfer) should be accounted for as a long-term loan, (ii) the Board determines that a given transfer (or type of transfer) should be accounted for as a capital contribution to the Class V Group increasing the Number of Retained Interest Shares, or (iii) the Board determines that a given transfer (or type of transfer) should be accounted for as a repurchase of shares within the Number of Retained Interest Shares or as a dividend on the Number of Retained Interest Shares. There are no specific criteria to determine when the Company will account for a cash transfer as a long-term loan, a capital contribution or a repurchase of or dividend on the Number of Retained Interest Shares rather than an inter-Group revolving credit loan. The Board will make such a determination in the exercise of its business judgment at the time of such transfer based upon all |
| relevant circumstances. Factors the Board may consider include, without limitation, the current and projected capital structure of each Group; the financing needs and objectives of the recipient Group; the availability, cost and time associated with alternative financing sources; and prevailing interest rates and general economic conditions. |
| (g) | Cash transfers accounted for as inter-Group loans will bear interest at the rates described in paragraph (a) above. In addition, any cash transfers accounted for as a long-term loan will have amortization, maturity, redemption and other terms that reflect the then-prevailing terms on which the Company could borrow such funds. |
| (h) | Any cash transfer from the DHI Group to the Class V Group (or for its account) accounted for as a capital contribution will correspondingly increase the Class V Group’s equity account and the Number of Retained Interest Shares. |
| (i) | Any cash transfer from the Class V Group to the DHI Group (or for its account) accounted for as a repurchase of shares within the Number of Retained Interest Shares will correspondingly reduce the Class V Group’s equity account and the Number of Retained Interest Shares. |
| (j) | In the event that any convertible securities or similar rights to acquire shares of Class V Common Stock that are attributed to the Number of Retained Interest Shares are exercised, the consideration for such exercise shall be allocated to the DHI Group and the Number of Retained Interest Shares will be correspondingly reduced. |
(iv) Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist of the excess consideration paid over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired by the Company in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method and include goodwill, technology, leasehold interests, customer relationships and customer lists, trademarks and tradenames, non-compete agreements and in-process research and development. These assets will be attributed to the respective Groups based on specific identification and where acquired companies have been divided between the DHI Group and the Class V Group, the intangible assets will be allocated based on the respective fair values at the date of purchase of the related operations attributed to each Group.
| 5. | Dividend Policy |
Subject to the limitations on dividends set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and to applicable law, the holders of DHI Common Stock and the holders of Class V Common Stock will be entitled to receive dividends on that stock when, as and if the Board authorizes and declares dividends on that stock.
The Company does not expect to pay any dividends on the Class V Common Stock before VMware pays dividends on its shares and/or the Class V Group includes other assets that generate positive cash flow. Thereafter, the Board will determine whether to pay dividends on the Class V Common Stock based primarily on the results of operations, financial condition and capital requirements of the Class V Group and of the Company as a whole, and other factors that the Board considers relevant.
| 6. | Financial Reporting; Allocation Matters |
(i) Financial Reporting. The Company will prepare and include in its periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission consolidated financial statements of the Company and unaudited financial information that will show the attribution of the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses to the Class V Group in accordance with this tracking stock policy for so long as the Class V Common Stock is outstanding. For purposes of the unaudited financial information, the Class V Group will be allocated the debt and preferred stock of VMware and its subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.
(ii) Shared Services and Support Activities. If the Class V Group is allocated operating assets, the Company will directly charge specifically identifiable corporate overhead and other costs to the Class V
Group. Where determinations based on specific usage alone are impracticable, the Company will use other allocation methods that it believes are fair, including methods based on factors such as the number of employees in and total revenues generated by each Group.
| 7. | Taxes |
In general, any tax or tax item (including any tax item arising from a disposition) attributable to an asset, liability or other interest of a Group will be attributed to that Group in the reasonable discretion of the Board. Tax items that are attributable to a Group that are carried forward or back and used as a tax benefit in another tax year will be attributed to that Group. To the extent that any taxes or tax benefits are determined on a basis that includes the assets, liabilities or other tax items of both Groups, such taxes and tax benefits will be attributed to each Group based upon its contribution to such tax liability (or benefit) and, in the case of income taxes, principally based on the taxable income (or loss) tax credits, and other tax items directly related to each Group. Such allocation to or from a Group is intended to reflect its actual effect, whether positive or negative, on the Company’s taxable income, related tax liability and tax credit position. Consistent with the general policies described above, tax benefits that cannot be used by a Group generating those benefits but can be used to reduce the tax liability of the other Group will be credited to the Group that generated those benefits, and a corresponding amount will be charged to the Group utilizing such benefits. Accordingly, the amount of taxes payable or refundable that will be allocated to each Group may not necessarily be the same as that which would have been payable or refundable had that Group filed separate income tax returns.
EMC, VMware and the other entities included in the Company’s consolidated tax group are parties to a tax sharing agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agreement provides that VMware will make payments to EMC, and EMC will make payments to VMware in respect of the consolidated federal income tax liability of a hypothetical affiliated group consisting of VMware and its subsidiaries, computed on a stand-alone basis as if the members of such hypothetical affiliated group were not members of the Company’s or EMC’s affiliated group. Any payments made pursuant to the Agreement will be credited or charged to the DHI Group or the Class V Group, as the case may be and, to the extent such payments relate to tax liabilities, tax benefits or other tax items charged or credited to the payor group hereunder, such payment shall offset the applicable charge or credit, as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Board.
Taxes and tax items from employee or director compensation or employee benefits will be allocated to the Group responsible for the underlying obligation (either through the allocation of the related expenses or through the issuance of stock of that group).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the DHI Group shall be allocated any tax liability of the Company or its subsidiaries resulting from the Class V Common Stock issued on the [closing date] being treated as other than stock of the Company or the deemed disposition of assets of the Class V Group resulting from the issuance of Class V Common Stock on the [closing date]; provided, that any such tax liability shall be allocated to the Class V Group to the extent such tax liability results from any change in U.S. federal income tax law described in clause (i) of the definition of Tax Event set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation or any comparable change in state or local income tax laws after the [closing date] (a “Post-Change Tax Liability”). Notwithstanding the proviso set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the Class V Group shall not be allocated any Post-Change Tax Liability, and the DHI Group shall be allocated any Post-Change Tax Liability, to the extent such tax liability reasonably could have been avoided by the conversion of Class V Common Stock into Class C Common Stock by the Company after the occurrence of a Tax Event pursuant to Section 5.2(r) of the Certificate of Incorporation and (i) the Company has not so converted the Class V Common Stock or (ii) has so converted the Class V Common Stock but failed to use its reasonable best efforts to list the Class C Common Stock for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market.
| 8. | Capital Stock Committee |
The Company will establish a standing committee of the Board known as the Capital Stock Committee (the “Capital Stock Committee”). The Capital Stock Committee shall consist of at least three members, and shall at all times be composed of a majority of directors who satisfy the independence requirements required to serve on the audit committee of a company listed on the principal securities exchange on which the Class V Common Stock is listed or if the Class V Common Stock is not so listed then of a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Each director serving on the Capital Stock Committee will have one vote on all matters presented to such committee. The Capital Stock Committee will have such powers, authority and responsibilities as are set forth in the Bylaws of the Company and in this Policy Statement, and such other powers, authority and responsibilities as the Board may grant to such committee, which shall include the authority to engage the services of accountants, investment bankers, appraisers, attorneys and other service providers to assist in discharging its duties.
To the extent the members of the Capital Stock Committee who are independent directors are granted equity compensation in either DHI Common Stock or Class V Common Stock and/or options thereon, approximately half (as determined by the Board) of the value at grant of all such compensation shall consist of Class V Common Stock or options thereon.
In making determinations in connection with this Policy Statement, the members of the Board and the Capital Stock Committee will act in a fiduciary capacity and pursuant to legal guidance concerning their respective obligations under applicable law. The members of the Board and of the Capital Stock Committee, in performing their duties in connection with the matters covered by this Policy Statement, shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Company and upon such information, opinions, reports, advice or statements presented to the Company, the Board or the Capital Stock Committee by any of the Company’s officers or employees, or other committees of the Board, or by any accountants, investment bankers, appraisers, attorneys and other service providers retained by or on behalf of the Company, the Board or the Capital Stock Committee.
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Part 13 of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act
Section 13.01. DEFINITIONS
In this PART the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:
“Affiliate”, any person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control of or with another person.
“Beneficial shareholder”, the person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
“Corporation”, the issuer of the shares held by a shareholder demanding appraisal and, for matters covered in sections 13.22 to 13.31, inclusive, includes the surviving entity in a merger.
“Fair value”, with respect to shares being appraised, the value of the shares immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to which the shareholder demanding appraisal objects, excluding any element of value arising from the expectation or accomplishment of the proposed corporate action unless exclusion would be inequitable.
“Interest”, interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at a rate that is fair and equitable under all the circumstances.
“Marketable securities”, securities held of record by, or by financial intermediaries or depositories on behalf of, at least 1,000 persons and which were
(a) listed on a national securities exchange,
(b) designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or
(c) listed on a regional securities exchange or traded in an interdealer quotation system or other trading system and had at least 250,000 outstanding shares, exclusive of shares held by officers, directors and affiliates, which have a market value of at least $5,000,000.
“Officer”, the chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and any vice president in charge of a principal business unit or function of the issuer.
“Person”, any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity.
“Record shareholder”, the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a corporation.
“Shareholder”, the record shareholder or the beneficial shareholder.
Section 13.02. RIGHT TO APPRAISAL
(a) A shareholder is entitled to appraisal rights, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of, any of the following corporate or other actions:
(1) consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party if shareholder approval is required for the merger by section 11.04 or the articles of organization or if the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent under section 11.05, unless, in either case, (A) all shareholders are to receive only cash for their shares in amounts equal to what they would receive upon a dissolution of the corporation or, in the case of shareholders already holding marketable securities in the merging corporation, only marketable securities of the surviving corporation and/or cash and (B) no director, officer or controlling shareholder has a direct or indirect material financial interest in the merger other than in his capacity as (i) a shareholder of the corporation, (ii) a director, officer, employee or consultant of either the merging or the surviving corporation or of any affiliate of the surviving corporation if his financial interest is pursuant to bona fide arrangements with either corporation or any such affiliate, or (iii) in any other capacity so long as the shareholder owns not more than five percent of the voting shares of all classes and series of the corporation in the aggregate;
(2) consummation of a plan of share exchange in which his shares are included unless: (A) both his existing shares and the shares, obligations or other securities to be acquired are marketable securities; and (B) no director, officer or controlling shareholder has a direct or indirect material financial interest in the share exchange other than in his capacity as (i) a shareholder of the corporation whose shares are to be exchanged, (ii) a director, officer, employee or consultant of either the corporation whose shares are to be exchanged or the acquiring corporation or of any affiliate of the acquiring corporation if his financial interest is pursuant to bona fide arrangements with either corporation or any such affiliate, or (iii) in any other capacity so long as the shareholder owns not more than five percent of the voting shares of all classes and series of the corporation whose shares are to be exchanged in the aggregate; (3) consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property of the corporation if the sale or exchange is subject to section 12.02, or a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property of a corporation in dissolution, unless:
(i) his shares are then redeemable by the corporation at a price not greater than the cash to be received in exchange for his shares; or
(ii) the sale or exchange is pursuant to court order; or
(iii) in the case of a sale or exchange of all or substantially all the property of the corporation subject to section 12.02, approval of shareholders for the sale or exchange is conditioned upon the dissolution of the corporation and the distribution in cash or, if his shares are marketable securities, in marketable securities and/or cash, of substantially all of its net assets, in excess of a reasonable amount reserved to meet unknown claims under section 14.07, to the shareholders in accordance with their respective interests within one year after the sale or exchange and no director, officer or controlling shareholder has a direct or indirect material financial interest in the sale or exchange other than in his capacity as (i) a shareholder of the corporation, (ii) a director, officer, employee or consultant of either the corporation or the acquiring corporation or of any affiliate of the acquiring corporation if his financial interest is pursuant to bona fide arrangements with either corporation or any such affiliate, or (iii) in any other capacity so long as the shareholder owns not more than five percent of the voting shares of all classes and series of the corporation in the aggregate;
(4) an amendment of the articles of organization that materially and adversely affects rights in respect of a shareholder’s shares because it:
(i) creates, alters or abolishes the stated rights or preferences of the shares with respect to distributions or to dissolution, including making non-cumulative in whole or in part a dividend theretofore stated as cumulative;
(ii) creates, alters or abolishes a stated right in respect of conversion or redemption, including any provision relating to any sinking fund or purchase, of the shares;
(iii) alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of the shares to acquire shares or other securities;
(iv) excludes or limits the right of the holder of the shares to vote on any matter, or to cumulate votes, except as such right may be limited by voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of an existing or new class; or
(v) reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired for cash under section 6.04;
(5) an amendment of the articles of organization or of the bylaws or the entering into by the corporation of any agreement to which the shareholder is not a party that adds restrictions on the transfer or registration or any outstanding shares held by the shareholder or amends any pre-existing restrictions on the transfer or registration of his shares in a manner which is materially adverse to the ability of the shareholder to transfer his shares;
(6) any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the articles of organization, bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to appraisal;
(7) consummation of a conversion of the corporation to nonprofit status pursuant to subdivision B of PART 9; or
(8) consummation of a conversion of the corporation into a form of other entity pursuant to subdivision D of PART 9.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a) of section 13.03, in the event of corporate action specified in clauses (1), (2), (3), (7) or (8) of subsection (a), a shareholder may assert appraisal rights only if he seeks them with respect to all of his shares of whatever class or series.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a) of section 13.03, in the event of an amendment to the articles of organization specified in clause (4) of subsection (a) or in the event of an amendment of the articles of organization or the bylaws or an agreement to which the shareholder is not a party specified in clause (5) of subsection (a), a shareholder may assert appraisal rights with respect to those shares adversely affected by the amendment or agreement only if he seeks them as to all of such shares and, in the case of an amendment to the articles of organization or the bylaws, has not voted any of his shares of any class or series in favor of the proposed amendment.
(d) The shareholder’s right to obtain payment of the fair value of his shares shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) the proposed action is abandoned or rescinded; or
(ii) a court having jurisdiction permanently enjoins or sets aside the action; or
(iii) the shareholder’s demand for payment is withdrawn with the written consent of the corporation.
(e) A shareholder entitled to appraisal rights under this chapter may not challenge the action creating his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
Section 13.03. ASSERTION OF RIGHTS BY NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
(a) A record shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to fewer than all the shares registered in the record shareholder’s name but owned by a beneficial shareholder only if the record shareholder objects with respect to all shares of the class or series owned by the beneficial shareholder and notifies the corporation in writing of the name and address of each beneficial shareholder on whose behalf appraisal rights are being asserted. The rights
of a record shareholder who asserts appraisal rights for only part of the shares held of record in the record shareholder’s name under this subsection shall be determined as if the shares as to which the record shareholder objects and the record shareholder’s other shares were registered in the names of different record shareholders.
(b) A beneficial shareholder may assert appraisal rights as to shares of any class or series held on behalf of the shareholder only if such shareholder:
(1) submits to the corporation the record shareholder’s written consent to the assertion of such rights no later than the date referred to in subclause (ii) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22; and
(2) does so with respect to all shares of the class or series that are beneficially owned by the beneficial shareholder.
Section 13.20. NOTICE OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS
(a) If proposed corporate action described in subsection (a) of section 13.02 is to be submitted to a vote at a shareholders’ meeting or through the solicitation of written consents, the meeting notice or solicitation of consents shall state that the corporation has concluded that shareholders are, are not or may be entitled to assert appraisal rights under this Part and refer to the necessity of the shareholder delivering, before the vote is taken, written notice of his intent to demand payment and to the requirement that he not vote his shares in favor of the proposed action. If the corporation concludes that appraisal rights are or may be available, a copy of this Part shall accompany the meeting notice sent to those record shareholders entitled to exercise appraisal rights.
(b) In a merger pursuant to section 11.05, the parent corporation shall notify in writing all record shareholders of the subsidiary who are entitled to assert appraisal rights that the corporate action became effective. Such notice shall be sent within 10 days after the corporate action became effective and include the materials described in section 13.22.
Section 13.21. NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT
(a) If proposed corporate action requiring appraisal rights under section 13.02 is submitted to vote at a shareholders’ meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert appraisal rights with respect to any class or series of shares:
(1) shall deliver to the corporation before the vote is taken written notice of the shareholder’s intent to demand payment if the proposed action is effectuated; and
(2) shall not vote, or cause or permit to be voted, any shares of such class or series in favor of the proposed action.
(b) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) is not entitled to payment under this chapter.
Section 13.22. APPRAISAL NOTICE AND FORM
(a) If proposed corporate action requiring appraisal rights under subsection (a) of section 13.02 becomes effective, the corporation shall deliver a written appraisal notice and form required by clause (1) of subsection (b) to all shareholders who satisfied the requirements of section 13.21 or, if the action was taken by written consent, did not consent. In the case of a merger under section 11.05, the parent shall deliver a written appraisal notice and form to all record shareholders who may be entitled to assert appraisal rights.
(b) The appraisal notice shall be sent no earlier than the date the corporate action became effective and no later than 10 days after such date and must:
(1) supply a form that specifies the date of the first announcement to shareholders of the principal terms of the proposed corporate action and requires the shareholder asserting appraisal rights to certify (A) whether or not beneficial ownership of those shares for which appraisal rights are asserted was acquired before that date and (B) that the shareholder did not vote for the transaction;
(2) state:
(i) where the form shall be sent and where certificates for certificated shares shall be deposited and the date by which those certificates shall be deposited, which date may not be earlier than the date for receiving the required form under subclause (ii);
(ii) a date by which the corporation shall receive the form which date may not be fewer than 40 nor more than 60 days after the date the subsection (a) appraisal notice and form are sent, and state that the shareholder shall have waived the right to demand appraisal with respect to the shares unless the form is received by the corporation by such specified date;
(iii) the corporation’s estimate of the fair value of the shares;
(iv) that, if requested in writing, the corporation will provide, to the shareholder so requesting, within 10 days after the date specified in clause (ii) the number of shareholders who return the forms by the specified date and the total number of shares owned by them; and
(v) the date by which the notice to withdraw under section 13.23 shall be received, which date shall be within 20 days after the date specified in subclause (ii) of this subsection; and
(3) be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
Section 13.23. PERFECTION OF RIGHTS; RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
(a) A shareholder who receives notice pursuant to section 13.22 and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights shall certify on the form sent by the corporation whether the beneficial owner of the shares acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date required to be set forth in the notice pursuant to clause (1) of subsection (b) of section 13.22. If a shareholder fails to make this certification, the corporation may elect to treat the shareholder’s shares as after-acquired shares under section 13.25. In addition, a shareholder who wishes to exercise appraisal rights shall execute and return the form and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit the shareholder’s certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice by the date referred to in the notice pursuant to subclause (ii) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22. Once a shareholder deposits that shareholder’s certificates or, in the case of uncertificated shares, returns the executed forms, that shareholder loses all rights as a shareholder, unless the shareholder withdraws pursuant to said subsection (b).
(b) A shareholder who has complied with subsection (a) may nevertheless decline to exercise appraisal rights and withdraw from the appraisal process by so notifying the corporation in writing by the date set forth in the appraisal notice pursuant to subclause (v) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22. A shareholder who fails to so withdraw from the appraisal process may not thereafter withdraw without the corporation’s written consent.
(c) A shareholder who does not execute and return the form and, in the case of certificated shares, deposit that shareholder’s share certificates where required, each by the date set forth in the notice described in subsection (b) of section 13.22, shall not be entitled to payment under this chapter.
Section 13.24. PAYMENT
(a) Except as provided in section 13.25, within 30 days after the form required by subclause (ii) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22 is due, the corporation shall pay in cash to those shareholders who complied with subsection (a) of section 13.23 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of their shares, plus interest.
(b) The payment to each shareholder pursuant to subsection (a) shall be accompanied by:
(1) financial statements of the corporation that issued the shares to be appraised, consisting of a balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment, an income statement for that year, a statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for that year, and the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
(2) a statement of the corporation’s estimate of the fair value of the shares, which estimate shall equal or exceed the corporation’s estimate given pursuant to subclause (iii) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22; and
(3) a statement that shareholders described in subsection (a) have the right to demand further payment under section 13.26 and that if any such shareholder does not do so within the time period specified therein, such shareholder shall be deemed to have accepted the payment in full satisfaction of the corporation’s obligations under this chapter.
Section 13.25. AFTER-ACQUIRED SHARES
(a) A corporation may elect to withhold payment required by section 13.24 from any shareholder who did not certify that beneficial ownership of all of the shareholder’s shares for which appraisal rights are asserted was acquired before the date set forth in the appraisal notice sent pursuant to clause (1) of subsection (b) of section 13.22.
(b) If the corporation elected to withhold payment under subsection (a), it must, within 30 days after the form required by subclause (ii) of clause (2) of subsection (b) of section 13.22 is due, notify all shareholders who are described in subsection (a):
(1) of the information required by clause (1) of subsection (b) of section 13.24;
(2) of the corporation’s estimate of fair value pursuant to clause (2) of subsection (b) of said section 13.24;
(3) that they may accept the corporation’s estimate of fair value, plus interest, in full satisfaction of their demands or demand appraisal under section 13.26;
(4) that those shareholders who wish to accept the offer shall so notify the corporation of their acceptance of the corporation’s offer within 30 days after receiving the offer; and
(5) that those shareholders who do not satisfy the requirements for demanding appraisal under section 13.26 shall be deemed to have accepted the corporation’s offer.
(c) Within 10 days after receiving the shareholder’s acceptance pursuant to subsection(b), the corporation shall pay in cash the amount it offered under clause (2) of subsection (b) to each shareholder who agreed to accept the corporation’s offer in full satisfaction of the shareholder’s demand.
(d) Within 40 days after sending the notice described in subsection (b), the corporation must pay in cash the amount if offered to pay under clause (2) of subsection (b) to each shareholder deserved in clause (5) of subsection (b).
Section 13.26. PROCEDURE IF SHAREHOLDER DISSATISFIED WITH PAYMENT OR OFFER
(a) A shareholder paid pursuant to section 13.24 who is dissatisfied with the amount of the payment shall notify the corporation in writing of that shareholder’s estimate of the fair value of the shares and demand payment of that estimate plus interest, less any payment under section 13.24. A shareholder offered payment under section 13.25 who is dissatisfied with that offer shall reject the offer and demand payment of the shareholder’s stated estimate of the fair value of the shares plus interest.
(b) A shareholder who fails to notify the corporation in writing of that shareholder’s demand to be paid the shareholder’s stated estimate of the fair value plus interest under subsection (a) within 30 days after receiving the corporation’s payment or offer of payment under section 13.24 or section 13.25, respectively, waives the right to demand payment under this section and shall be entitled only to the payment made or offered pursuant to those respective sections.
Section 13.30. COURT ACTION
(a) If a shareholder makes demand for payment under section 13.26 which remains unsettled, the corporation shall commence an equitable proceeding within 60 days after receiving the payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall pay in cash to each shareholder the amount the shareholder demanded pursuant to section 13.26 plus interest.
(b) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the appropriate court of the county where the corporation’s principal office, or, if none, its registered office, in the commonwealth is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation without a registered office in the commonwealth, it shall commence the proceeding in the county in the commonwealth where the principal office or registered office of the domestic corporation merged with the foreign corporation was located at the time of the transaction.
(c) The corporation shall make all shareholders, whether or not residents of the commonwealth, whose demands remain unsettled parties to the proceeding as an action against their shares, and all parties shall be served with a copy of the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by law or otherwise as ordered by the court.
(d) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection (b) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint 1 or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers shall have the powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The shareholders demanding appraisal rights are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(e) Each shareholder made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment (i) for the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of the shareholder’ s shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation to the shareholder for such shares or (ii) for the fair value, plus interest, of the shareholder’s shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under section 13.25.
Section 13.31. COURT COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES
(a) The court in an appraisal proceeding commenced under section 13.30 shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess cost against all or some of the shareholders demanding appraisal, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds such shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this chapter.
(b) The court in an appraisal proceeding may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(1) against the corporation and in favor of any or all shareholders demanding appraisal if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of sections 13.20, 13.22, 13.24 or 13.25; or
(2) against either the corporation or a shareholder demanding appraisal, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this chapter.
(c) If the court in an appraisal proceeding finds that the services of counsel for any shareholder were of substantial benefit to other shareholders similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to such counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the shareholders who were benefited.
(d) To the extent the corporation fails to make a required payment pursuant to sections 13.24, 13.25, or 13.26, the shareholder may sue directly for the amount owed and, to the extent successful, shall be entitled to recover from the corporation all costs and expenses of the suit, including counsel fees.
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October 11, 2015
The Board of Directors
EMC Corporation
176 South Street
Hopkinton, MA 01748
Members of the Board:
We understand that EMC Corporation (the “Company”), Denali Holding Inc. (the “Buyer”), Dell Inc. and Universal Acquisition Co., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer (“Acquisition Sub”), propose to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, substantially in the form of the draft dated October 11, 2015 (the “Merger Agreement”), which provides, among other things, for the merger (the “Merger”) of Acquisition Sub with and into the Company. Pursuant to the Merger, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Buyer, and each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Company Common Stock”) of the Company, other than shares held directly or indirectly by the Buyer, Acquisition Sub or any subsidiary which is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Company or as to which dissenters’ rights have been perfected, will be converted into the right to receive (i) a certain number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, designated as Class V common stock of the Buyer (the “Class V Common Stock”), determined pursuant to the formula set forth in the Merger Agreement and having the terms set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Buyer included as Exhibit C to the Merger Agreement (the “Stock Consideration”), and (ii) $24.05 per share in cash (together with the Stock Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”). The terms and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement.
You have asked for our opinion as to whether the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock.
For purposes of the opinion set forth herein, we have:
| 1) | Reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other business and financial information of the Company and VMware, Inc. (“VMware”), respectively; |
| 2) | Reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating data concerning the Company and VMware, respectively; |
| 3) | Reviewed certain financial projections prepared by the management of the Company concerning the Company and VMware; |
| 4) | Reviewed information relating to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the Merger, prepared by the managements of the Company and the Buyer; |
| 5) | Discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of the Company and VMware, including information relating to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the Merger, with senior executives of the Company; |
| 6) | Reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the Company Common Stock and the VMware common stock; |
| 7) | Compared the financial performance of the Company and VMware and the prices and trading activity of the Company Common Stock and the VMware common stock with that of certain other publicly-traded companies comparable with the Company and VMware, respectively, and their securities; |
| 8) | Reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain comparable acquisition transactions; |
| 9) | Participated in certain discussions and negotiations among representatives of the Company and the Buyer and their financial and legal advisors; |
| 10) | Reviewed the Merger Agreement, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Buyer related to the Class V Common Stock, the draft commitment letter from a lender substantially in the form of the draft dated October 10, 2015 (the “Commitment Letter”) and certain related documents; |
| 11) | Reviewed the Buyer’s proposed sources and uses of funds in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and |
| 12) | Performed such other analyses, reviewed such other information and considered such other factors as we have deemed appropriate. |
We have assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of the information that was publicly available or supplied or otherwise made available to us by the Company, and formed a substantial basis for this opinion. With respect to the financial projections, including information relating to certain strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the Merger, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the managements of the Company and the Buyer, respectively, of the future financial performance of the Company and VMware. At the Company’s direction, our analysis relating to the business and financial prospects of the Company and VMware for purposes of this opinion has been made on the basis of the Company projections concerning the Company and VMware. We have been advised by the Company, and have assumed, with the Company’s consent, that the financial projections are reasonable bases upon which to evaluate the business and financial prospects of the Company and VMware, respectively. We express no view as to the financial projections or the assumptions on which they were based. In addition, we have assumed that the Merger will be consummated in accordance with the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement without any waiver, amendment or delay of any terms or conditions, including, among other things, that the Merger will be treated as an exchange, pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the Buyer will obtain financing in accordance with the terms set forth in the Commitment Letter, and that the final Merger Agreement will not differ in any material respects from the draft thereof furnished to us. Morgan Stanley has assumed that in connection with the receipt of all the necessary governmental, regulatory or other approvals and consents required for the proposed Merger, no delays, limitations, conditions or restrictions will be imposed that would have a material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits expected to be derived in the proposed Merger. We are not legal, tax or regulatory advisors. We are financial advisors only and have relied upon, without independent verification, the assessment of VMware, the Company and their legal, tax or regulatory advisors with respect to legal, tax or regulatory matters. We express no opinion with respect to the fairness of the amount or nature of the compensation to any of the Company’s officers, directors or employees, or any class of such persons, relative to the consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock in the transaction. We have not made any independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of the Company, the Buyer or VMware, nor have we been furnished with any such valuations or appraisals. Our 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. Events occurring after the date hereof may affect this opinion and the assumptions used in preparing it, and we do not assume any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm this opinion.
Our opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and does not address the relative merits of the Merger as compared to any other alternative business transaction, or other alternatives, or whether or not such alternatives could be achieved or are available, nor does it address the underlying business decision of the Company to enter into the Merger Agreement.
In arriving at our opinion, we were not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any party with respect to the acquisition, business combination or other extraordinary transaction, involving the Company, nor did we negotiate with any parties, other than the Buyer, as to the possible acquisition of the Company or any of its constituent businesses.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with this transaction and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon the closing of the Merger. In the two years prior to the date hereof, we have provided financing services for the Company and financial advisory and financing services for the Buyer and certain affiliates of the Buyer, and have received fees in connection with such services. Morgan Stanley may also seek to provide such services to the Company, VMware, the Buyer and certain affiliates of the Buyer in the future and would expect to receive fees for the rendering of these services.
Please note that Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm engaged in the securities, investment management and individual wealth management businesses. Our securities business is engaged in securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities, foreign exchange, commodities and derivatives trading, prime brokerage, as well as providing investment banking, financing and financial advisory services. Morgan Stanley, its affiliates, directors and officers may at any time invest on a principal basis or manage funds that invest, hold long or short positions, finance positions, and may trade or otherwise structure and effect transactions, for their own account or the accounts of its customers, in debt or equity securities or loans of the Buyer, the Company, VMware or any other company, or any currency or commodity, that may be involved in this transaction, or any related derivative instrument. In addition, Morgan Stanley, its affiliates, directors or officers, including individuals working with the Company in connection with this transaction, may have committed and may commit in the future to invest in investment funds managed by affiliates of Morgan Stanley that in the ordinary course may hold direct equity and/or partnership interests in private equity funds managed by affiliates of the Buyer. In addition, a director of the Company is also a member of the Morgan Stanley board of directors and qualifies as an “independent director” under Morgan Stanley’s corporate governance policies.
This opinion has been approved by a committee of Morgan Stanley investment banking and other professionals in accordance with our customary practice. This opinion is for the information of the Board of Directors of the Company and may not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent, except that a copy of this opinion may be included in its entirety in any filing the Company is required to make with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this transaction if such inclusion is required by applicable law. In addition, this opinion does not in any manner address the prices at which the Class V Common Stock will trade following consummation of the Merger or at any time and Morgan Stanley expresses no opinion or recommendation as to how the shareholders of the Company should vote at the shareholders’ meeting to be held in connection with the Merger.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion on the date hereof that the Merger Consideration to be received by the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of shares of the Company Common Stock.
