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0704022 Informal Interpretation
us-ftc-hsr-informal-interpretations-2199db7a90ea5904e33c99da87531a0a0704022 Informal InterpretationGuidance
Date
Rule
802.9
Response/Comments
The restricted voting rights are not the result of a contractual arrangement, they are contained in the bylaws of the corporation. This would potentially be an argument that as a practical matter the stock only represents 9.8% of the outstanding voting securities. However, Section 801.12(b) states "Whenever the act or these rules require calculation of the percentage of voting securities of an issuer to be held or acquired, the percentage shall be the sum of the separate ratios for each class of voting securities, expressed as a percentage." This leads me to the conclusion that if the percentage calculated under 801.12 exceeds 10% (which appears to be the case here), the solely for purpose of investment exemption would not be available. M Bruno, K Berg & K Walsh concur.
Question
From: (redacted)
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 3:07 PM
To: Verne, B. Michael
Cc: (redacted)
Subject: Question about"investment only" exemption
Mike
We had a question whether thefollowing situation qualifies for an exemption from filing. It deals with the"investment only" exemption.
There is a corporate reorganizationof a Bermuda company. As a result, one U.S. shareholder will obtain more than10% of the shares that carry voting rights. However, under the by-laws of the Bermuda company, a U.S. shareholder can NEVER exercisevoting rights that amount to more than 9.8% of the company's total votingrights. This by-law is, apparently, triggered by the tax-free status of Bermuda reinsurers and for that reason isunlikely ever to change.
The result is that this shareholderwill never be able to vote more than 9.8% of the outstanding voting shares. Hesimply will never be able trigger the corporate control or influence concernsthat were behind the 10%+ provision. He is not involved in management andtherefore qualifies for the investment exemption on every other ground.
Since, as a matter of fact and law,he is a shareholder with a maximum of 9.8% in voting rights, it seems that heshould be exempt from an HSR filing requirement.
We spoke with James (Ferkingstad) whothought this sounded right but asked us to verify with you. We would appreciateyour guidance.
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