ex4-3.htm


Exhibit 4.3


 


 



THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT.







NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION







WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK


 




	

Warrant No. Series E-2012-1B 

	Dated: [●], 2012





 




NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that, for value received, National Securities Growth Partners LLC or his, her or its Permitted Transferees (as hereinafter defined) (the “Holder”), is entitled to purchase from the Company up to a total of [●] shares of common stock, par value $0.02 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company (each such share, a “Warrant Share” and all such shares issuable under the warrants, the “Warrant Shares”) at an exercise price of $0.50 (as adjusted from time to time as provided in Section 9, the “Exercise Price”), subject to the terms and conditions contained herein.


 


This Warrant (“Warrant”) is being issued pursuant to that certain Securities Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the Holder dated as of March 31, 2012 (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company has issued a 6% convertible subordinated promissory note which is convertible into units (the “Units”) consisting of shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”) and this Warrant.  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.  All warrants that are included in the Units are referred to herein, collectively, as the “Warrants” and the holders of the Warrants (as well as any subsequent Permitted Transferee) along with the Holder named herein, the “Holders.”


 


1.      Vesting.


 


(a)           Vesting; Exercise Period.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Warrant Certificate, the Warrants shall vest upon the date first written above (“Issuance Date”) and the first and second anniversary date (each an “Anniversary”) of the Issuance Date (each a “Vesting Date”) and shall be exercisable for a period of five years following such vesting (“Exercise Period”), in each case in accordance with the following schedule:


 



	
Vesting Date

	
Incremental Vesting

	
Total Vested

	
Exercise Period


	
[●], 2012

	
33 1/3%

	
33 1/3%

	
●.●.12 –●.●.17


	
[●], 2013

	
33 1/3%

	
66 2/3%

	
●.●.13 –●.●.18


	
[●], 2014

	
33 1/3%

	
100%

	
●.●.14 –●.●.19














  





  











  






 


provided, however that effective five (5) Business Days immediately prior to the record date of a Business Combination (as defined herein) all unvested amounts of the Warrants shall immediately vest and constitute vested Warrants and the Holder accordingly shall have the right to exercise all or any portion of the entire Warrant immediately on or after such date and prior to or after the closing of the Business Combination and the Exercise Period for such Warrants shall end the earlier of (i) the latest date shown under “Exercise Period” in the above table or (ii) five (5) years from the closing of the Business Combination.  A “Business Combination” means any merger, consolidation or combination of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or entity, or any acquisition by the Corporation of all or substantially all the assets or securities of, or majority voting or economic interest in, any other corporation or other entity, or whether by merger, tender offer, asset purchase, stock purchase, or like combination or consolidation.







2.           Registration of Warrant.  The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time.  The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.


 


3.           Registration of Transfers.  To the extent that the Company approves a transfer of this Warrant, the Company shall register the transfer and/or assignment of any portion of this Warrant (a “Permitted Transferee”) in the Warrant Register, upon surrender of this Warrant, with the Form of Assignment attached hereto duly completed and signed, to the Company’s transfer agent or to the Company at its address specified herein.  Upon any such registration or transfer, a new warrant to purchase Common Stock, in substantially the form of this Warrant (any such new warrant, a “New Warrant”), evidencing the portion of this Warrant so transferred shall be issued to the Permitted Transferee and a New Warrant evidencing the remaining portion of this Warrant not so transferred, if any, shall be issued to the transferring Holder.  The acceptance of the New Warrant by the Permitted Transferee thereof shall be deemed the acceptance by such Permitted Transferee of all of the rights and obligations of a holder of a Warrant.  The following persons or entities shall be deemed Permitted Transferees without the requirement of any prior or other approval of the Company: (a) in the case of a Holder that is an individual (i) a transferee receiving this Warrant by inter vivos gift or transfer or estate or tax planning purposes, or death by will or intestacy, in either case, to the Holder’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the Holder and a member or members of the Holder’s immediate family or (ii) a transferee which is any entity controlled by the Holder or (b) in the case of a Holder that is an entity, a transferee that is a successor via any transaction to all or substantially all of such Holder’s assets.


 


4.           Exercise and Duration of Warrants.


 


(a)           This Warrant shall be exercisable by the registered Holder at any time and from time to time during the applicable Exercise Period set forth in Section 1(a) of this Warrant (the final date of the applicable Exercise Period, the “Expiration Date”).  At 5:00 p.m., (New York City time) on the Expiration Date, the applicable portion of this Warrant not exercised prior thereto shall be and become void and of no value and this Warrant shall be terminated and no longer be outstanding.


 


(b)           The Holder may exercise this Warrant by delivering to the Company (i) an exercise notice, in the form attached hereto (the “Exercise Notice”), appropriately completed and duly signed, and (ii) payment of the Exercise Price for the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant is being exercised (which may take the form of a “Cashless Exercise” if so indicated in the Exercise Notice pursuant to Section 10 below), and the date such items are delivered to the Company (as determined in accordance with the notice provisions hereof) is an “Exercise Date.”


 




  





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(c)           Exercise Disputes.  In the case of any dispute with respect to the number of shares to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall promptly issue such number of shares of Common Stock that is not disputed and shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations to the Holder via fax (or, if the Holder has not provided the Company with a fax number, by overnight courier) within three (3) Business Days of receipt of the Holder’s election to purchase Warrant Shares.  If the Holder and the Company are unable to agree as to the determination of the Exercise Price within three (3) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the Holder, then the Company shall in accordance with this Section, submit via facsimile the disputed determination to an independent, reputable outside accountant jointly determined by the Company and the Holder.  The Company shall cause such accountant to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the Holder of the results promptly, in writing and in sufficient detail to give the Holder and the Company a clear understanding of the issue.  The determination by such accountant shall be binding upon all parties absent manifest error.  The Company shall then on the next Business Day instruct its transfer agent to issue certificate(s) (or issue by electronic means through Depository Trust Corporation (“DTC”) or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions, if available) representing the appropriate number of Warrant Shares of Common Stock in accordance with such accountant’s determination and this Section.  The prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement of all fees and expenses of such determination and calculation.


 


5.           Delivery of Warrant Shares.


 


(a)           Upon exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than three (3) Trading Days after the Exercise Date) issue or cause to be issued and cause to be delivered to or upon the written order of the Holder and in such name or names as the Holder may designate, a certificate for the Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled upon such exercise, free of restrictive legends unless a registration statement covering the resale of the Warrant Shares and naming the Holder as a selling stockholder thereunder is not then effective and the Warrant Shares are not freely transferable pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.  To the extent the Warrant Shares may be issued free of restrictive legends as set forth above, upon request of the Holder, the Company shall use its best efforts to deliver Warrant Shares hereunder electronically through DTC or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions.  For the purposes hereof, the term “Trading Day” means (a) any day on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and traded on its primary trading market and/or quotation system, as the case may be, (b) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted and traded on any trading market, then a day on which trading occurs on the Nasdaq Capital Market (or any successor thereto), or (c) if trading ceases to occur on the Nasdaq Capital Market (or any successor thereto), any Business Day.


 


(b)           This Warrant is exercisable, either in its entirety or, from time to time, for a portion of the number of Warrant Shares.  Upon surrender of this Warrant following one or more partial exercises, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, at its expense, a New Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Warrant Shares.


 


(c)           The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination, or any breach or alleged breach by the Holder or any other Person of any obligation to the Company or any violation or alleged violation of law by the Holder or any other Person, and irrespective of any other circumstance which might otherwise limit such obligation of the Company to the Holder in connection with the issuance of Warrant Shares.  Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant  as required pursuant to the terms hereof.


 




  





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(d)           Company’s Failure to Timely Deliver Securities.  If, and only if, in the event that the Warrant Shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, to issue to the Holder within the later of three (3) Trading Days after receipt of the applicable Exercise Notice (the “Share Delivery Deadline”), a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or to credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of this Warrant (as the case may be), and if on or after such Share Delivery Deadline the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise that the Holder anticipated receiving from the Company, then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Company shall, within three (3) Business Days after the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such certificate or credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock times (B) the closing sale price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Notice.


 


6.           Charges, Taxes and Expenses.  Issuance and delivery of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax, withholding tax, transfer agent fee or other incidental tax or expense in respect of the issuance of such certificates, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the registration of any certificates for Warrant Shares or Warrants in a name other than that of the Holder.  The Holder shall be responsible for all other tax liability that may arise as a result of holding or transferring this Warrant or receiving Warrant Shares upon exercise hereof.


 


7.           Replacement of Warrant.  If this Warrant is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation hereof, or in lieu of and substitution for this Warrant, a New Warrant, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction and customary and reasonable bond or indemnity, if requested.  Applicants for a New Warrant under such circumstances shall also comply with such other reasonable regulations and procedures and pay such other reasonable third-party costs as the Company may prescribe.


 


8.           Reservation of Warrant Shares.  The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available out of the aggregate of its authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Common Stock, solely for the purpose of enabling it to issue Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant as herein provided, the number of Warrant Shares which are then issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of this entire Warrant, free from preemptive rights or any other contingent purchase rights of persons other than the Holder (after giving effect to the adjustments and restrictions of Section 9, if any). The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares so issuable and deliverable shall, upon issuance and the payment of the applicable Exercise Price in accordance with the terms hereof, be duly and validly authorized, issued and fully paid and nonassessable.  The Company will take all such action as may be necessary to assure that such shares of Common Stock may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Common Stock may be listed.


 




  





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9.           Certain Adjustments.  The Exercise Price and number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant are subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in this Section 9.


 


(a)           Stock Dividends and Splits.  If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification or otherwise) the shares of Common Stock acquirable hereunder into a greater number of shares, then, after the date of record for effecting such subdivision, the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be proportionately increased and the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced.  If the Company at any time combines (by any reverse stock split, recapitalization, reorganization, reclassification or otherwise) the shares of Common Stock acquirable hereunder into a smaller number of shares, then, after the date of record for effecting such combination, the Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant will be proportionately reduced and the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased.


 


(b)           Adjustments for Other Distributions.  In the event the Company at any time or from time to time makes, or files a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive any distribution payable in securities or assets of the Company other than shares of Common Stock, then and in each such event, provision shall be made so that the holder of this Warrant shall receive upon exercise thereof, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock receivable thereupon, the amount of securities or assets of the Company which they would have received had their Warrant been exercised into Common Stock on the date of such event and had they thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the date of conversion, retained such securities or assets receivable by them as aforesaid during such period, subject to all other adjustment called for during such period under this Section 9(b) with respect to the rights of the holders of the Warrants.


 


(c)           Adjustments for Reclassification, Exchange and Substitution.  If the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be changed into the same or a different number of shares of any other class or classes of stock, whether by capital reorganization, reclassification or otherwise (other than a subdivision or combination of shares provided for above), then and in each such event the holder of this Warrant shall have the right thereafter to convert such share into the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such reorganization or reclassification or other change by holders of the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been subject to receipt by the holder upon exercise of this Warrant immediately before that change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.


 


(d)           Consolidation, Merger or Sale.  In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company with or into one or more other corporations or entities, or in case of any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than in connection with a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, then as a condition of such consolidation, merger or sale or conveyance, adequate provision will be made whereby the Holder of this Warrant will have the right to acquire and receive upon exercise of this Warrant in lieu of the shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable upon the exercise of this Warrant, such shares of stock, securities or assets as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for the number of shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant had such consolidation, merger or sale or conveyance not taken place.  In any such case, the Company will make appropriate provision to insure that the provisions of this Section 9(d) will thereafter be applicable as nearly as may be in relation to any shares of stock or securities thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant.  The Company will not effect any consolidation, merger or sale or conveyance unless prior to the consummation thereof, the successor corporation (if other than the Company) assumes by written instrument the obligations under this Section 9(d) and the obligations to deliver to the Holder of this Warrant such shares of stock, securities or assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Holder may be entitled to acquire.


 




  





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(e)           Distribution of Assets.  In case the Company shall declare or make any distribution of its assets (including cash) to holders of Common Stock as a partial liquidating dividend, by way of return of capital or otherwise, then, after the date of record for determining shareholders entitled to such distribution (on an “as converted” basis, as though all Warrants had been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to the dividend declaration date), the Holder of this Warrant shall be entitled upon exercise of this Warrant for the purchase of any or all of the shares of Common Stock subject hereto, to receive the amount of such assets which would have been payable to the Holder had the Holder been the holder of such shares of Common Stock on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to such distribution.


 


(f)           Additional Issuances of Equity Securities.  If the Company, at any time from the date of issuance of this Warrant and for so long as this Warrant is outstanding, shall issue or sell any Equity Securities (as defined below) for no consideration or at an effective price per share less than the then effective Exercise Price (such lower price, the “Base Share Price” and such issuances collectively, a “Dilutive Issuance”), as adjusted hereunder (if the holder of the Equity Securities so issued shall at any time, whether by operation of purchase price adjustments, reset provisions, floating conversion, exercise or exchange prices or otherwise, or due to warrants, options or rights per share which is issued in connection with such issuance, be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock at an effective price per share which is less than the then effective Exercise Price, such issuance shall be deemed to have occurred for less than the then effective Exercise Price on such date of the Dilutive Issuance), then, the Exercise Price shall be reduced and only reduced to equal the greater of (i) Base Share Price and (ii) $0.10.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no adjustments shall be made, paid or issued under this Section 9(f) in respect of Exempt Issuances (as defined below).  The Company shall notify the Holder in writing as promptly as reasonably possible following the issuance of any Equity Securities subject to this section, indicating therein the applicable issuance price, or of applicable reset price, exchange price, conversion price and other pricing terms (such notice the “Dilutive Issuance Notice”).  For purposes of clarification, whether or not the Company provides a Dilutive Issuance Notice pursuant to this Section 9(f), upon the occurrence of any Dilutive Issuance while this Warrant is outstanding, after the date of such Dilutive Issuance the Holder is entitled to the Base Share Price regardless of whether the Holder accurately refers to the Base Share Price in the Exercise Notice.


 


For purposes of this Section 9(b), the following definitions shall apply:


 


“Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or its subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.


 


“Equity Securities” means (i) Common Stock and (ii) Common Stock Equivalents.


 




  





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“Exempt Issuance” means an issuance of Equity Securities in the manner contemplated by Section (H) of Article VIII of the Series E Certificate of Designation.







(g)           Effect on Exercise Price of Certain Events.  For purposes of determining the adjusted Exercise Price, the following will be applicable:


 


(i)           Issuance of Rights or Options.  If the Company in any manner issues or grants any warrants (other than the Warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement), rights or options, whether or not immediately exercisable, to subscribe for or to purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities (such warrants, rights and options to purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities are hereinafter collectively referred to in this Section 9(g) as “Options”) and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options is less than the Exercise Price on the date of issuance or grant of such Options, then the maximum total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options will, as of the date of the issuance or grant of such Options, be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company for such price per share.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, the “price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options” is determined by dividing (i) the total amount of cash, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issuance or granting of all such Options, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the exercise of all such Options, plus, in the case of Convertible Securities (as hereinafter defined) issuable upon the exercise of such Options, the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration payable upon the conversion or exchange thereof at the time such Convertible Securities first become convertible or exchangeable, by (ii) the maximum total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options (assuming full conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities, if applicable).  No further adjustment to the Exercise Price will be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of such Options.


 


(ii)           Issuance of Convertible Securities.  If the Company in any manner issues or sells any other series or classes of Preferred Stock (other than the Series E Preferred Stock, but including, without limitation, shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock) or other securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (“Convertible Securities”), whether or not immediately convertible (other than where the same are issuable upon the exercise of Options) and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon such conversion or exchange is less than the Exercise Price on the date of issuance, then the maximum total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities will, as of the date of the issuance of such Convertible Securities, be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company for such price per share.  For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the “price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon such conversion or exchange” is determined by dividing (i) the total amount of cash, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the issuance or sale of all such Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange thereof at the time such Convertible Securities first become convertible or exchangeable, by (ii) the maximum total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities.  No further adjustment to the Series E Conversion Price will be made upon the actual issuance of such Common Stock upon conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.


 


(iii)           Change in Option Price or Conversion Rate.  If there is a change at any time in (i) the amount of additional consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of any Options; (ii) the amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange of any Convertible Securities; or (iii) the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than under or by reason of provisions designed to protect against dilution), the Exercise Price in effect at the time of such change will be readjusted to the Exercise Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities still outstanding provided for such changed additional consideration or changed conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold.


 




  





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(iv)           Calculation of Consideration Received.  If any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued, granted or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor for purposes hereof will be the amount received by the Company therefor, before deduction of reasonable commissions, underwriting discounts or allowances or other reasonable expenses paid or incurred by the Company in connection with such issuance, grant or sale.  In case any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration part or all of which shall be other than cash, the amount of the consideration other than cash received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company will be the Market Price (as defined in Article II of the Series E Certificate of Designation) thereof as of the date of receipt.  In case any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued in connection with any acquisition, merger or consolidation in which the Company is the surviving corporation, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving corporation as is attributable to such Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as the case may be.  The fair value of any consideration other than cash or securities will be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


(h)           The Company will not by reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, or otherwise, avoid or seek to avoid observance or performance of any of the terms of this Section 9, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out and performance of all provisions of this Section 9 in order to protect the rights of the Holder against impairment.


 


(i)           Number of Warrant Shares.  Simultaneously with any adjustment to the Exercise Price pursuant to this Section, the number of Warrant Shares that may be purchased upon exercise of this Warrant shall be increased or decreased proportionately, as applicable, so that after such adjustment the aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder for the increased or decreased, as applicable, number of Warrant Shares shall be the same as the aggregate Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment.


 


(j)           Calculations.  All calculations under this Section 9 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest share, as applicable.  The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company, and the disposition of any such shares shall be considered an issue or sale of Common Stock.


 


(k)           Notice of Adjustments.  Upon the occurrence of each adjustment pursuant to this Section 9, the Company at its expense will promptly compute such adjustment in accordance with the terms of this Warrant and prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, including a statement of the adjusted Exercise Price and adjusted number or type of Warrant Shares or other securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (as applicable), describing the transactions giving rise to such adjustments and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based.  Upon written request, the Company will promptly deliver a copy of each such certificate to the Holder and to the Company’s Transfer Agent.


 


(l)           Minimum Adjustment of Exercise Price.  No adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be made in an amount of less than 1% of the Exercise Price in effect at the time such adjustment is otherwise required to be made, but any such lesser adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time and together with the next subsequent adjustment which, together with any adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to not less than 1% of such Exercise Price.


 




  





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(m)           No Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of any fractional share which would otherwise be issuable in an amount equal to the same fraction of the average Market Price per share of the Common Stock for the five (5) Trading Days immediately prior to the date of such exercise.


 


(n)           Other Notices.  In case at any time:


 


(i)           the Company shall declare any dividend upon the Common Stock payable in shares of stock of any class or make any other distribution (including dividends or distributions payable in cash out of retained earnings) to the holders of the Common Stock;


 


(ii)           the Company shall offer for subscription pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock any additional shares of stock of any class or other rights;


 


(iii)           there shall be any capital reorganization of the Company, or reclassification of the Common Stock, or consolidation or merger of the Company with or into, or sale of all or substantially all its assets to, or business combination with or into one or more other corporations or entities;


 


(iv)           there shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;


 


then, in each such case, the Company shall give to the Holder of this Warrant (a) written notice of the date on which the books of the Company shall close or a record shall be taken for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive any such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights or for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote in respect of any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up and (b) in the case of any such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, business combination, liquidation or winding-up of the Company, notice of the date (or, if not then known, a reasonable approximation thereof by the Company) when the same shall take place.  Such notice shall also specify the date on which the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights or to exchange their Common Stock for stock or other securities or property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, dissolution, business combination liquidation, or winding-up, as the case may be.  Such notice shall be given at least thirty (30) days prior to the record date or the date on which the Company’s books are closed in respect thereto.  Failure to give any such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the validity of the proceedings referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.


 


10.           Payment of Exercise Price.  The Holder shall pay the Exercise Price in immediately available funds (a “Cash Exercise”); or the Holder may satisfy its obligation to pay the Exercise Price through a “Cashless Exercise,” in which event the Company shall issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares determined as follows:


 



	  	
X = Y [(A-B)/A]


	
where:

	  
	  	
X = the number of Warrant Shares to be issued to the Holder.


	  	  
	  	
Y = the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (prior to cashless exercise).


	  	  
	  	
A = the average of the Closing Prices for the five (5) Trading Days immediately prior to (but not including) the Exercise Date.


	  	  
	  	
B = the Exercise Price.







 




  





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For purposes of this Section 10, “Closing Prices” for any date, shall mean the closing price per share of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the primary trading market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted.


 


11.           Registration Rights.  The Holder shall be entitled to the rights set forth under that certain registration rights agreement dated as of March 30, 2012, by and between the Holder and the Company, to allow for the registration of the resale of the Warrant Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


 


12.           Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to issue or cause to be issued fractional Warrant Shares on the exercise of this Warrant.  In lieu of any fractional shares which would  otherwise be issuable, the Company shall pay the Holder entitled to such fractional Warrant Share a sum in cash equal to such fraction (calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a Warrant Share) multiplied by the then effective Exercise Price.


 


13.           Notices.  Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries hereunder (including without limitation any Exercise Notice) shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading Day, (ii) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered in accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the Trading Day following the date of mailing if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given.  The address for such notices or communications shall be as set forth in the Purchase Agreement.


 


14.           Warrant Agent.  The Company shall serve as warrant agent under this Warrant.  Upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Holder, the Company may appoint a new warrant agent.  Any corporation and/or other entity into which the Company or any new warrant agent may be merged or any corporation resulting from any consolidation to which the Company or any new warrant agent shall be a party shall be a successor warrant agent under this Warrant without any further act.  Any such successor warrant agent shall promptly cause notice of its succession as warrant agent to be mailed (by first class mail, postage prepaid) to the Holder at the Holder’s last address as shown on the Warrant Register.


 


15.           Miscellaneous.


 


(a)           Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth on the first page hereof, this Warrant may be transferred or assigned by the Holder to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to Section 3, provided that, among other things, the Permitted Transferee covenants to be bound by the terms hereof.  This Warrant may not be assigned by the Company, except to a successor in the event of a Fundamental Transaction.  This Warrant shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Subject to the preceding sentence, nothing in this Warrant shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company and the Holder any legal or equitable right, remedy or cause of action under this Warrant.


 




  





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(b)           The Company will not, by amendment of its governing documents or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, seek to call or redeem this Warrant or avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution or other impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) will not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor on such exercise, (ii) will take all such action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares, free from all taxes, liens, security interests, encumbrances, preemptive or similar rights and charges of stockholders (other than those imposed by the Holders), on the exercise of the Warrant, and (iii) will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of this Warrant.


 


(c)           Remedies; Specific Performance.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that there would be no adequate remedy at law to the Holder of this Warrant in the event of any default or threatened default by the Company in the performance of or compliance with any of the terms of this Warrant and accordingly, the Company agrees that, in addition to any other remedy to which the Holder may be entitled at law or in equity, the Holder shall be entitled to seek to compel specific performance of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant, without the posting of any bond, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Warrant in any court of the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction, and if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Warrant, the Company shall not raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.  Except as otherwise provided by law, a delay or omission by the Holder hereof in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon any such breach shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in any such breach.  No remedy shall be exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies shall be cumulative.


 


(d)           Amendments and Waivers.  The Company may, without the consent of the Holder (but with written notice to the Holder), by supplemental agreement or otherwise, (i) make any changes or corrections in this Agreement that are required to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein or (ii) add to the covenants and agreements of the Company for the benefit of the Holder (including, without limitation, reduce the Exercise Price or extend the Expiration Date), or surrender any rights or power reserved to or conferred upon the Company in this Agreement; provided that, in the case of (i) or (ii), such changes or corrections shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holder of then outstanding Warrants in any material respect.  This Warrant may also be amended or waived with the consent of the Company and the Holder.  If a new warrant agent is appointed by the Company, it shall at the request of the Company, and without need of independent inquiry as to whether such supplemental agreement is permitted by the terms of this Section 15(d), join with the Company in the execution and delivery of any such supplemental agreements, but shall not be required to join in such execution and delivery for such supplemental agreement to become effective.


 


(e)           Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof. The parties hereto hereby expressly and irrevocably agree that any suit or proceeding arising directly and/or indirectly pursuant to, arising out of or under this Warrant, shall be brought solely and exclusively in a federal or state court located in the City, County and State of New York. By its execution hereof, the parties hereby expressly covenant and irrevocably submit to the in personam jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the City, County and State of New York and agree that any process in any such action may be served upon any of them personally, or by certified mail or registered mail upon them or their agent, return receipt requested, with the same full force and effect as if personally served upon them in New York City. The parties hereto expressly and irrevocably waive any claim that any such jurisdiction is not a convenient forum for any such suit or proceeding and any defense or lack of in personam jurisdiction with respect thereto. In the event of any such action or proceeding (including, but not limited to, any motions made), the party prevailing therein shall be entitled to payment from the other party hereto of its reasonable counsel fees and disbursements. The Company and Holders hereby waive all rights to a trial by jury.


 




  





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(f)           Headings.  The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Warrant and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.


 


(g)           Partial Invalidity.  In case any one or more of the provisions of this Warrant shall be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, the validity and enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions of this Warrant shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and the parties will attempt in good faith to agree upon a valid and enforceable provision which shall be a commercially reasonable substitute therefor, and upon so agreeing, shall incorporate such substitute provision in this Warrant.


 




  





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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the date first indicated above.


 



	 	 	  
	 	NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION
	 	 	  
	 	 	  
	 	By:    	 
	 	 	
Name: Mark H. Goldwasser


	 	 	
Title:   Chief Executive Officer








 


 


[SIGNATURE PAGE TO SERIES E FIRST WARRANT]

  





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FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE


 


(To be executed by the Holder to exercise the right to purchase shares of Common Stock under the foregoing Warrant)


 


To:  NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION


 


The undersigned is the Holder of Warrant No. _______ (the “Warrant”) issued by National Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
The Warrant is currently exercisable to purchase a total of ______________ Warrant Shares.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right to purchase _________________ Warrant Shares pursuant to the Warrant.







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
The holder shall make payment of the Exercise Price as follows (check one):







 


_______________ “Cash Exercise” under Section 10.


 


_______________ “Cashless Exercise” under Section 10.


 



	
  

	
(d)

	
If the holder is making a Cash Exercise, the holder shall pay the sum of $____________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.







 



	
  

	
(e)

	
Pursuant to this exercise, the Company shall deliver to the holder ______________ Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.







 



	
  

	
(f)

	
Following this exercise, the Warrant shall be exercisable to purchase a total of ______________ Warrant Shares.







 



	
  

	
(g)

	
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Exercise Notice shall constitute a representation by the Holder that, after giving effect to the exercise provided for in this Exercise Notice, the Holder (together with its affiliates) will not have beneficial ownership (together with the beneficial ownership of such Person’s affiliates) of a number of shares of Common Stock which exceeds the Maximum Percentage of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock as determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 of the Warrant.







 



	
  

	
(h)

	
The Holder represents that, as of the date of exercise:







 



	
  

	
i.

	
the Warrant Shares being purchased pursuant to this Exercise Notice are being acquired solely for the Holder’s own account and not as a nominee for any other party, for investment, and not with a view toward distribution or resale; and







 




  





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ii.

	
the Holder is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.







 



	
  

	
(i)

	
If the Holder cannot make the representations required in Section (h)(ii) above because it is factually incorrect, it shall be a condition to the exercise of the Warrant that the Company receive such other representations as the Company considers necessary, acting reasonably, to assure the Company that the issuance of securities upon exercise of this Warrant shall not violate any United States or other applicable securities laws.







 



	
Dated: ______________,

	Name of Holder: _____________________
	  	  	
                  (Print)


	  	  	  
	  	By:	 
	  	Name:	 
	  	Title:  	 
	  	  	
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant)







 




  





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FORM OF ASSIGNMENT







[To be completed and signed only upon transfer of Warrant]







FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto ________________________________ the right represented by the within Warrant to purchase  ____________ shares of Common Stock of National Holdings Corporation to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ________________ attorney to transfer said right on the books of National Holdings Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.


 


The undersigned transferee agrees to be bound by the covenants of the Warrant Holder during the term of the Warrant.


 


The undersigned transferee agrees represents and warrants that:


 



	
  

	
i.

	
the Warrant Shares being purchased pursuant to this Assignment are being acquired solely for the transferee’s own account and not as a nominee for any other party, for investment, and not with a view toward distribution or resale; and













	
  

	
ii.

	
the undersigned transferee is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1) of Regulation D promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.







 


If the undersigned transferee cannot make the representations required in clause (ii) above because it is factually incorrect, it shall be a condition to the transfer of the Warrant that the Company receive such other representations as the Company considers necessary, acting reasonably, to assure the Company that the transfer this Warrant shall not violate any United States or other applicable securities laws.


 



	
Dated: _____________, ____

	  
	  	 
	  	
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant)


	  	  
	  	  
	  	
Address of Transferee


	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	  	  
	
In the presence of:

	 
	________________________________________________	
Signature of Transferee


	  	  
	  	  







 


 


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