e8va12bza
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1
FORM 8-A/A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COHU, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
Delaware
(State of incorporation)
|
|
95-1934119
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
|
12367 Crosthwaite Circle
Poway, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
92064-6817
(Zip Code) |
|
|
|
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
|
|
|
Title of each class
to be so registered
|
|
Name of each exchange on which
each class is to be registered |
|
|
|
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
|
|
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. o
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of
the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. o
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: (if
applicable)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM 8-A
On November 10, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Registrant approved the amendment and
restatement of the Registrants Rights Agreement with Mellon Investor Services LLC dated November
15, 1996, to make certain changes to the Rights Agreement and the Preferred Share Purchase Rights
provided for therein. The undersigned registrant hereby amends the following items, exhibits or
other portions of its Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 12, 1996 for its Preferred Share Purchase Rights as follows:
Item 1. Description of Registrants Securities to be Registered.
History of the Rights.
Pursuant to a Rights Agreement dated November 15, 1996 (the Original Rights Agreement)
between Cohu, Inc. (the Company) and Mellon Investor Services LLC (formerly known as ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C.) (the Rights Agent), the Board of Directors of the Company (the
Board) declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Share Purchase Right (each a Right and
collectively the Rights) for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $1.00 (Common
Shares) of the Company as of December 3, 1996 (the Record Date) to stockholders of record as of
the close of business on that date, as well as for each Common Share that has since become
outstanding since the Record Date and that will become outstanding until the earliest of the
Distribution Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (each as defined below).
Effective as of November 10, 2006, the Board approved certain changes to the Original Rights
Agreement pursuant to an Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated November 10, 2006 (the
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement). The Amended and Restated Rights Agreement (i) extended
the Final Expiration Date, as defined in the Original Rights Agreement, through November 9, 2016;
(ii) updated the name of the Rights Agent to Mellon Investor Services LLC; (iii) changed the
purchase price (the Purchase Price) of each Right to $190.00; (iv) eliminated a ten (10) day
waiting period after the Rights are triggered before the Rights become represented by separate
Rights Certificates and such Rights Certificates are distributed to stockholders; and (v) added a
provision requiring evaluation of the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement by a committee of
independent directors at least once every three years to determine if maintenance of the Amended
and Restated Rights Agreement continues to be in the best interest of the Company and its
stockholders.
Summary of the Rights.
The principal terms of the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement are summarized below and the
descriptions in this registration statement are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by,
the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement listed as Exhibit 1 to this registration statement.
Under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement each Right entitles the registered holder to
purchase from the Company one one-hundreth (1/100) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock,
2
par value $1.00
per share (the Preferred Stock), at a Purchase Price of
$190.00 per one one-hundreth (1/100) of a
Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. As a result of a two-for-one stock split in September
1999, each Common Share is now associated with one-half of a Right entitling the holder to purchase
one two-hundreth (1/200) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for $95.00.
Until the earlier to occur of (i) the date of public announcement by the Company or by a
person or group of affiliated or associated persons (Acquiring Person) other than the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company, including, without limitation, in its fiduciary capacity, any
employee benefit plan or employee stock plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or
any Person, organized, appointed, established or holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan or any Person funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or any
subsidiary of the Company (Exempt Person), that such an Acquiring Person has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, without approval of the Board of Directors or good faith
determination of the Board of Directors that such a person or group of affiliated or associated
persons has inadvertently become an Acquiring Person, beneficial ownership of securities of the
Company representing 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company (other than solely
as a result of a reduction in the outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company) or such
earlier date as a majority of the Board of Directors shall become aware of such acquisition of the
Common Stock (the Stock Acquisition Date) or (ii) the business day (subject to extension by the
Board prior to the time a person becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or
public announcement of an intention to commence, a tender or exchange offer by any person (other
than by an Exempt Person), the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership of
15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock by such person, together with its affiliates and
associates (the earlier of such dates being called the Distribution Date), the Rights will be
evidenced, with respect to all shares of Common Stock that are issued after the Record Date prior
to the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), by certificates
representing such shares of Common Stock together with the Summary of Rights attached thereto.
The Amended and Restated Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or
earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be represented by and transferred
with, and only with, the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or
expiration of the Rights), new certificates issued for Common Stock (including, without limitation,
certificates issued upon transfer or exchange of Common Stock) after the Record Date, will contain
a legend incorporating the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer
of any of the Companys Common Stock certificates, with or without the aforesaid legend or the
Summary of Rights attached thereto, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
the Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution
Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights (Right Certificates) will be mailed to holders
of record of the Companys Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, and
such separate certificates alone will evidence the Rights from and after the Distribution Date.
3
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The Rights will expire upon the
earlier of (i) ten years after the date of issuance, or November 9, 2016 or (ii) redemption or
exchange by the Company.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or
property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to
prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Preferred Stock of
certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred Stock or convertible securities at less than
the current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the
Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding dividends payable in Preferred
Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above). The number of
Rights associated with each share of Common Stock is also subject to adjustment in the event of a
stock split of the Common Stock or a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or
subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior
to the Distribution Date. As noted above, a two-for-one stock split in September 1999, resulted in
each Common Share being associated with one-half of a Right entitling the holder to purchase one
two-hundreth (1/200) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock for $95.00
The Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will be nonredeemable and junior
to any other series of preferred stock the Company may issue (unless otherwise provided in the
terms of such other series). Each share of Preferred Stock will have a preferential cumulative
quarterly dividend in an amount equal to the greater of (a) $225.00 or (b) 100 times the dividend
declared on each share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of Preferred Stock
will receive a preferred liquidation payment equal to the greater of (a) $9,000 per share, plus
accrued dividends to the date of distribution whether or not earned or declared, or (b) an amount
per share equal to 100 times the aggregate payment to be distributed per share of Common Stock.
Each share of Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting together with the shares of Common Stock.
In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are
exchanged for or changed into other securities, cash and/or other property, each share of Preferred
Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount and type of consideration received per share
of Common Stock. The rights of the Preferred Stock as to dividends, liquidation and voting, and in
the event of mergers and consolidations, are protected by customary anti-dilution provisions.
Fractional shares (in integral multiples of one one-hundredth) of Preferred Stock will be issuable;
however, the Company may elect to distribute depositary receipts in lieu of such fractional shares.
In lieu of fractional shares other than fractions that are multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the
last trading date prior to the date of exercise. Because of the nature of the Preferred Stocks
dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred
Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of Common
Stock.
4
In the event (i) any person becomes an Acquiring Person or (ii) any Acquiring Person or any of
its Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, (1) consolidates with or merges into the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise combines with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries in a transaction in which the Company or such subsidiary is the continuing or
surviving corporation of such merger or combination and the Common Stock of the Company remains
outstanding and no shares thereof shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities
of any other person or of the Company or cash or any other property, (2) transfers, in on one or
more transactions, any assets to the Company or any of its subsidiaries in exchange for capital
stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or for securities exercisable for or convertible
into capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise obtains from the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, with or without consideration, any capital stock of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries or securities exercisable for or convertible into capital stock of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries (other than as part of a pro rata offer or distribution to all holders
of such stock), (3) sells, purchases, leases, exchanges, mortgages, pledges, transfers or otherwise
disposes to, from or with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as the case may be, assets on
terms and conditions less favorable to the Company or such subsidiary than the Company or such
subsidiary would be able to obtain in arms-length negotiation with an unaffiliated third party,
(4) receives any compensation from the Company or any of its subsidiaries for services other than
compensation for employment as a regular or part-time employee, or fees for serving as a director
at rates in accordance with the Companys (or its subsidiarys) past practice, (5) receives the
benefit (except proportionately as a stockholder) of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or
other financial assistance or tax credit or advantage, or (6) engages in any transaction with the
Company (or any of its subsidiaries) involving the sale, license, transfer or grant of any right
in, or disclosure of, any patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks or know-how (or any other
intellectual or industrial property rights recognized under any countrys intellectual property
rights laws) which the Company (including its subsidiaries) owns or has the right to use on terms
and conditions not approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, or (iii) while there is an
Acquiring Person, there shall occur any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), any recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation of the Company with any
of its subsidiaries or any other transaction or transactions involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (whether or not involving the Acquiring Person) which have the effect of increasing by
more than 1% the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the
Acquiring Person (such events are collectively referred to herein as the Flip-In Events), then,
and in each such case, each holder of record of a Right, other than the Acquiring Person, will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon payment of the then current Purchase Price, in lieu of
one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock per outstanding Right, that number of shares of
Common Stock having a market value at the time of the transaction equal to the Purchase Price (as
adjusted to the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to the Flip-In Event multiplied by the
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such Flip-In Event) divided by one-half the average of the daily closing
prices per share of the Common Stock for the thirty consecutive trading days (Current Market
Price) on the date of such Flip-In Event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Rights held by the
Acquiring Person or any
Associate or Affiliate thereof or certain transferees will be null and void and no longer be
transferable.
5
The Company may at its option substitute for a share of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of Rights in accordance with this paragraph such number or fractions of shares of
Preferred Stock having an aggregate current market value equal to the Current Market Price of a
share of Common Stock. In the event that insufficient shares of Common Stock are available to
permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing paragraph, the Board of
Directors shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in
effect to which the Company is a party, (A) determine the excess (such excess, the Spread) of (1)
the value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with
this paragraph (the Current Value) over (2) the Purchase Price, and (B) with respect to each
Right (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the foregoing paragraph), make adequate
provision to substitute for the shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with this paragraph
upon exercise of the Right and payment of the Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such
Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including,
without limitation, shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having
dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the shares of Common
Stock, are deemed in good faith by the Board of Directors to have substantially the same value as
the shares of Common Stock, (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any
combination of the foregoing, having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common
Stock actually issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the
Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in such Purchase Price); provided, however, that if
the Company shall not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within
thirty (30) days following the Flip-In Event, then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, to
the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the
Company is a party, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment of
such Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent available), and then, if necessary, such
number or fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (to the extent available) and then, if necessary,
cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. Rights are not
exercisable following the occurrence of the events set forth in the foregoing paragraph until the
expiration of the period during which the Rights may be redeemed as described below.
Unless the Rights are earlier redeemed, in the event that following the first occurrence of a
Flip-In Event, the Company were to be acquired in a merger or other business combination in which
any shares of the Companys Common Stock are exchanged or converted for other securities or assets
(other than a merger or other business combination in which the voting power represented by the
Companys securities outstanding immediately prior thereto continues to represent all of the voting
power represented by the securities of the Company thereafter and the holders of such securities
have not changed as a result of such transaction), or 50% or more of the assets or earning power of
the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) were to be sold or transferred in one or a
series of related transactions (such transactions are collectively referred to herein as the
Flip-Over Events), the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement provides that proper provision shall
be made so that each holder of record of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person, or affiliates or
associates thereof) will from and after such date have the
right to receive, upon payment of the then current Purchase Price, that number of shares of
common stock of the acquiring company having a market value at the time of such transaction equal
to the Purchase Price divided by one-half the Current Market Price of such common stock.
6
No fractional shares of Common Stock will be issued upon exercise of the Rights and, in lieu
thereof, a payment in cash will be made to the holder of such Rights equal to the same fraction of
the current market value of a share of Common Stock.
At any time until the occurrence of a Flip-In Event, the Board may redeem the Rights in whole,
but not in part, at a price of $0.001 per Right. Immediately upon the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company authorizing redemption of the Rights, the right to exercise the Rights
will terminate, and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price
without any interest thereon.
At any time after the occurrence of a Flip-In Event and prior to the earlier of a Flip-Over
Event or such time as any Person (other than an Exempt Person), together with all Affiliates and
Associates, becomes the Beneficial Owner of more than 50% of the Common Stock outstanding, the
Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, exchange all or any portion of the
outstanding Rights (other than Rights held by any Acquiring Person which have become void) for
shares of Common Stock on a pro rata basis, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock or
one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of the
Companys Preferred Stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges) per Right.
Immediately upon the ordering of such exchange and without any notice, the right to exercise such
Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Rights shall be to receive
shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents pursuant to the exchange. In the event there are
insufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit
any exchange of Rights, the Company shall take all actions necessary to authorize additional
shares.
A committee of the Board of Directors of the Company is required to determine whether
maintenance of the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement continues to be in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders at least once every three years. The reviewing committee is to be
comprised only of directors meeting the requirements for independence under the NASDAQ listing
standards or, if the Common Shares are listed on another national exchange, such national
exchanges listing standards.
Until the Rights become nonredeemable the Company may, except with respect to the redemption
price of the Rights, amend the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement in any manner. After the
Rights become nonredeemable, the Company may amend the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement to
cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions, or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Amended and Restated
Rights Agreement, or to arrange or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the
Company may deem necessary or desirable, provided that no such amendment may adversely affect the
interests of the holders of the Rights (other than the Acquiring Person or its affiliates or
associates) or cause the Rights to again be redeemable or the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement
to again be freely amendable.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the
Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.
7
The issuance of the Rights is not taxable to the Company or to stockholders under presently
existing federal income tax law, and will not change the way in which stockholders can presently
trade the Companys shares of Common Stock. If the Rights should become exercisable, stockholders,
depending on then existing circumstances, may recognize taxable income.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects of the Rights, Applicable Law and Certain Provisions of the
Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
The Rights. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial
dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company on terms not approved by the
Companys Board of Directors. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business
combination approved by the Board of Directors since the Rights may be redeemed by the Company at
$0.001 per Right prior to the earliest of (i) the Share Acquisition Date or (ii) the Final
Expiration Date.
Applicable Law. The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
which, with certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business
combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that
such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:
|
|
|
the Board of Directors of the corporation approves either the business combination
or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, prior to the time the interested stockholder attained that status; |
|
|
|
|
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting
stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding
for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by
persons who are directors and also officers, and by employee stock plans in which
employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether
shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
|
|
|
|
at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the Board
of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not
by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. |
In general, Section 203 defines a business combination to include:
|
|
|
any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested
stockholder; |
|
|
|
|
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the
corporation involving the interested stockholder; |
8
|
|
|
subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or
transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested
stockholder; |
|
|
|
|
any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the
proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially
owned by the interested stockholder; or |
|
|
|
|
the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation. |
In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as an entity or person beneficially
owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person
affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The Companys Restated Certificate of
Incorporation also requires that any action required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders
must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders and may not be
effected by any consent in writing. In addition, special meetings of stockholders may be called
only by the Companys Board of Directors, or Chairman of the Board of Directors or its president.
The Companys Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides for a classified board of
directors consisting of three classes of directors. In addition, the Companys Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only
by resolution of the board of directors. These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile
takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of the Company.
Item 2. Exhibits.
The Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between the Company and the Rights Agent (including
as Exhibit A the Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the form of
Right Certificate and as Exhibit C the Summary of Rights) is attached hereto as Exhibit 1
and is incorporated herein by reference.
9
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
COHU, INC.
|
|
Date: December 11, 2006 |
By: |
/s/ John H. Allen
|
|
|
|
John H. Allen |
|
|
|
VP Finance & Chief Financial Officer |
|
10
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
1
|
|
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated November 10, 2006
between the Company and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as Rights
Agent (including as Exhibit A the Certificate of Designation of
Series A Preferred Stock, as Exhibit B the form of Right
Certificate and as Exhibit C a Summary of Rights to Purchase
Preferred Shares) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 from
Registrants Form 8-K filed November 13, 2006). |
11