# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001232582
**File Stem:** 0001104659-25-121398
**Filing Date:** 2025-12
**Character Count:** 258001
**Document Hash:** 446b34713d6278b4dff1480d78a653de
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-25-121398.hdr.sgml**: 20251216

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-25-121398

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251215

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20251216

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20251216

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001232582
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 05 Real Estate & Construction
- **EIN:** 861062192
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-31775
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251573465

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 14185 DALLAS PARKWAY SUITE 1100
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75254
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 9724909600

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 14185 DALLAS PARKWAY SUITE 1100
- **CITY:** DALLAS
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75254

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE**

**SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934**

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): **December 15, 2025**

**ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.**

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Maryland** | **001-31775** | **86-1062192** |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |

---

**14185 Dallas Parkway**, **Suite 1200**

**Dallas,** **TX** **75254**

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 **(972) 490-9600**

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

**N/A** (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

◻ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

◻ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

◻ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

◻ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock | AHT | New York Stock Exchange |
| Preferred Stock, Series D | AHT-PD | New York Stock Exchange |
| Preferred Stock, Series F | AHT-PF | New York Stock Exchange |
| Preferred Stock, Series G | AHT-PG | New York Stock Exchange |
| Preferred Stock, Series H | AHT-PH | New York Stock Exchange |
| Preferred Stock, Series I | AHT-PI | New York Stock Exchange |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;◻

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| ***Item 1.01*** | ***Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.*** |

---

The information set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ***Item 3.03*** | ***Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.*** |

---

On December 15, 2025, the Board of Directors (the "<u>Board</u>") of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the "<u>Company</u>") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "<u>Right</u>") for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "<u>Common Stock</u>"), each Right initially representing the right to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "<u>Series N Preferred Stock</u>") at a price of $20.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Series N Preferred Stock (the "<u>Purchase Price</u>"), subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement (defined below). The dividend is payable to holders of Common Stock of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 26, 2025 (the "<u>Record Date</u>"). The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2025, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "<u>Rights Agreement</u>"), between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (the "<u>Rights Agent</u>").

The Rights Agreement is designed to prevent the Company from facing a substantial limitation on its ability to use its Tax Benefits (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) to offset potential future income taxes for federal income tax purposes and realize other efficiencies.

The following is a summary of the terms of the Rights Agreement. The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

*Effectiveness*

The Rights Agreement became effective at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 15, 2025 (the "<u>Effective Date</u>"). Upon and following the Effective Date, Rights will be issued in respect of all outstanding shares of Common Stock on the Record Date, and for all shares of Common Stock issued after the Record Date and, subject to the terms described in the Rights Agreement, prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date (as defined below), the redemption of the Rights or the expiration of the Rights as provided by the Rights Agreement.

*Distribution and Transfer of Rights; Distribution Date; Rights Certificates*

Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Rights Agreement, the Rights will separate from the Common Stock and become exercisable at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next business day following the earlier of (i) the Flip-In Date (as defined below) or (ii) 10 business days after the date (prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person), if any, as may be determined by action of the Board, in its sole discretion, following the commencement of, or public announcement of an intention to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being called the "<u>Distribution Date</u>"). A person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an "<u>Acquiring Person</u>" upon acquiring Beneficial Ownership of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, except in certain situations (including a person or group of affiliated or associated persons that currently has Beneficial Ownership of any class of Company Securities then outstanding in excess of such threshold unless and until such person or group becomes the Beneficial Owner of a percentage of any class of Company Securities outstanding that exceeds by 0.5% or more the percentage of any class of Company Securities outstanding that such person or group owned as of the first public announcement of the adoption of the Rights Agreement). For purposes of the Rights Agreement, "<u>Company Securities</u>" means the Common Stock and any other interest that the Board determines would be treated as "stock" of the Company for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "<u>Code</u>") (including Treasury Regulation Sections 1.382-2(a)(3) and 1.382-2T(f)(18)).

The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will contain a legend incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference (and notice of such legend will be furnished to holders of book entry shares). Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock (or of any book entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such legend (or notice of such legend) or a copy of the Summary of Rights (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate (or book entry). As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("<u>Right Certificates</u>") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Rights will expire on the earliest of (i) 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 14, 2026, (ii) the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines in its sole discretion that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of Tax Benefits, or (iii) the first day of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines in its sole discretion that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below, or upon the occurrence of certain transactions.

*Series N Preferred Stock Purchasable Upon Exercise of Rights*

Because of the nature of the Series N Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a share of Series N Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock.

*Exempt Persons and Transactions*

The Rights Agreement includes procedures whereby the Board will consider requests to exempt (a) any person or group (an "<u>Exempt Person</u>") which would otherwise be an Acquiring Person, or (b) any transaction (an "<u>Exempt Transaction</u>") resulting in the Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities, prior to the consummation of such transaction, from the Acquiring Person trigger, in each case as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that it will only grant such an exemption if it determines in its sole discretion that such ownership would not reasonably be expected to jeopardize or endanger the availability of the Tax Benefits to the Company or if it otherwise determines that the exemption is in the best interests of the Company; provided further that, (A) in the case of an Exempt Person, if the Board later makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such person or group's Beneficial Ownership with respect to the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits, such person or group will cease to be an Exempt Person and (B) in the case of an Exempt Person or Exempt Transaction, the Board in its sole discretion may require the applicable person or group to make certain representations or undertakings, the violation or attempted violation of which will be subject to such consequences as the Board may determine in its sole discretion, including that such person or group will become an Acquiring Person.

*Flip-In Trigger*

On the first date of public announcement by the Company that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons has become an Acquiring Person pursuant to the Rights Agreement, which announcement makes express reference to such status as an Acquiring Person pursuant to the Rights Agreement (the "<u>Stock Acquisition Date</u>"), or on such later date as the Board may fix by resolution adopted prior to such Stock Acquisition Date (such date, a "<u>Flip-In Date</u>", and the first Flip-In Date to occur, a "<u>Flip-In Event</u>"), each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will thereupon become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right that number of shares of Common Stock or, at the Company's option, shares of Series N Preferred Stock (or fraction thereof, having an equivalent value to the substituted Common Stock) having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right; provided that if such exercise of Rights would result in a person becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, the Board may elect (in its sole discretion) to distribute cash to such person or a note or other form of indebtedness of equivalent value.

*Flip-Over Trigger*

If, after a Flip-In Event, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provisions will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will have become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon the exercise of a Right that number of shares of common stock of the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or its parent) that at the time of such transaction have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

*Exchange Provision*

At any time after a Flip-In Event and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the previous paragraph or the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will have become null and void), in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock or Series N Preferred Stock (or a series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions), at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or a fractional share of Series N Preferred Stock (or other preferred stock) equivalent in value thereto, per Right; provided that if such exchange of Rights would result in a person becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, the Board may elect (in its sole discretion) to distribute cash to such person or a note or other form of indebtedness of equivalent value.

*Redemption of the Rights*

At any time prior to a Flip-In Event, the Board may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.0001 per Right (the "<u>Redemption Price</u>") payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock or such other form of consideration as the Board determines in its sole discretion. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any 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.

*Amendment of Terms of Rights Agreement and Rights*

For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner without the approval of any holders of the Rights. After the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof).

*Voting Rights; Other Stockholder Rights*

Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends.

*Anti-Dilution Provisions*

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Series N Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights is 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 Series N Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Series N Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Series N Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Series N Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then-current market price of the Series N Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Series N Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in Series N Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

The number of outstanding Rights is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ***Item 5.03*** | ***Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.*** |

---

In connection with the adoption of the Rights Agreement, the Company filed the Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preference of a Series of Preferred Stock (the "<u>Articles Supplementary</u>") with the Secretary of State of the State of Maryland, effective December 17, 2025.

The summary of the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Series N Preferred Stock set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03. A copy of the Articles Supplementary is attached as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ***Item 9.01.*** | ***Financial Statements and Exhibits.*** |

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**(d) Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit <br> Number** | **Description** |
| [3.1](tm2533452d1_ex3-1.htm) | [Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preference of a Series of Preferred Stock.](tm2533452d1_ex3-1.htm) |
| [4.1](tm2533452d1_ex4-1.htm) | [Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2025, between Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent](tm2533452d1_ex4-1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover page interactive data file (formatted in Inline XBRL). |

---

**SIGNATURE**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. |
| Date: December 16, 2025 | By: | /s/ Jim Plohg |
|  | Name: | Jim Plohg |
|  | Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |

---

## Exhibit 3.1

**Exhibit 3.1**

**ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.**

**ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND PREFERENCES OF A SERIES OF PREFERRED STOCK**

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "*Corporation*"), having its principal office in the State of Maryland in Baltimore City, Maryland and its principal executive office in Dallas, Texas certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

*FIRST:* Under a power contained in Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Article V of the Corporation's Articles of Amendment and Restatement (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the "*Charter*"), the Board of Directors (the "*Board*") on December 15, 2025, classified and designated 300,000 shares of the unissued preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation as Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with the following preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Charter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. *Designation and Number*. There shall be a series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "*Series N Preferred Stock*") that shall be designated as "Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 300,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. *Rank*. The Series N Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, rank: (i) prior or senior to any class or series of common stock of the Corporation and any other class or series of equity securities, if the holders of Series N Preferred Stock are entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such class or series ("*Junior Stock*"); (ii) on a parity with any other class or series of the equity securities of the Corporation issued in the future if, pursuant to the specific terms of such class or series of equity securities, the holders of such class or series of equity securities and the holders of the Series N Preferred Stock are entitled to the receipt of dividends and of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in proportion to their respective amounts of accrued and unpaid dividends per share or liquidation preferences, without preference or priority one over the other ("*Parity Stock*"); (iii) junior to the 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.375% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.375% Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.50% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.50% Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series L Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series M Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Corporation, and any other class or series of the equity securities of the Corporation issued in the future if, pursuant to the specific terms of such class or series of equity securities, the holders of such class or series are entitled to the receipt of dividends or amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of the Series N Preferred Stock (collectively, the "*Senior Stock*"); and (iv) junior to all of the existing and future indebtedness of the Corporation. The term "equity securities" does not include convertible debt securities, which, unless otherwise provided, will rank senior to the Series N Preferred Stock prior to conversion.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. *Dividends and Distributions*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any Senior Stock, the holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any Junior Stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly cash dividends in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 and (b) the sum of (1) the Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends <u>plus</u> (2) the Adjustment Number times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "*Common Stock*"), or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), in each case declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date (as defined below), or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series N Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series N Preferred Stock shall by payable on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of each January, April, July, and October in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "*Quarterly Dividend Payment Date*"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series N Preferred Stock, *provided* that if any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that Quarterly Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding business day, and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. The "*Adjustment Number*" shall initially be 1,000. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after December 15, 2025 (i) declare and pay a dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series N Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph <u>(A)</u> above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series N Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series N Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date; in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series N Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated <u>pro rata</u> on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the Corporation's stock records for the Series N Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be, whether or not a business day, the 30th calendar day of the month preceding the next applicable dividend payment date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. *Voting Rights*. The holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) Except as required by law, by the Charter, and by Section <u>10</u> hereof, holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. *Certain Restrictions*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series N Preferred Stock as provided in Section <u>3</u> hereof are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series N Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Junior Stock (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) other than (A) such redemptions or purchases that may be deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights or grant, vesting or lapse of restrictions on the grant of any other performance shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards to the extent that such shares represent all or a portion of (x) the exercise or purchase price of such options, warrants or similar rights or other equity awards and (y) the amount of withholding taxes owed by the recipient of such award in respect of such grant, exercise, vesting or lapse of restrictions; (B) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any such shares from employees, former employees, directors, former directors, consultants or former consultants of the Corporation or their respective estate, spouse, former spouse or family member, pursuant to the terms of the agreements pursuant to which such shares were acquired;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any Parity Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series N Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series N Preferred Stock, or any Parity Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of Series N Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such Parity Stock, upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph <u>(A)</u> of this Section <u>5</u>, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. *Reacquired Shares*. Any shares of Series N Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their retirement have the status of authorized but unissued preferred stock, without designation as to class or series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular class or series by the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. *Liquidation Preference*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any distribution or payment shall be made to or set apart for the holders of any Junior Stock, the holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of the Corporation's assets legally available for distribution its stockholders, after payment or provision for the Corporation's debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to, but not including, the date of such payment, and (ii) the Adjustment Number times the per share amount of all cash and other property to be distributed in respect of the Common Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (the "*Series N Liquidation Preference*"). If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, its assets, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the above described preferential amount and liquidating payments on any other shares of any class or series of Parity Stock, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holders of Series N Preferred Stock and any such other Parity Stock ratably in the same proportion as the respective amounts that would be payable on such Series N Preferred Stock and any such other Parity Stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another entity nor the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section <u>7</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. *Consolidation, Merger, Etc*. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series N Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to the Adjustment Number times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. *No Redemption*. Shares of Series N Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. *Amendment*. At any time that any shares of Series N Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Charter shall not be amended, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, in any way which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series N Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series N Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. The holders of the Series N Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive voting right on any amendment that would alter the contract rights of the Series N Preferred Stock, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of only the Series N Preferred Stock, and no holders of any other class of capital stock, including the Common Stock, shall have any voting right with respect thereto.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. *Fractional Shares*. Series N Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series N Preferred Stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12. *Restrictions on Transfer, Acquisition and Redemption of Shares*. The Series N Preferred Stock is governed by and issued subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions of the Charter, including but not limited to the terms and conditions (including exceptions and exemptions) of Article VI of the Charter; provided, however, that the terms and conditions (including exceptions and exemptions) of Article VI of the Charter shall also be applied to the Series N Preferred Stock separately and without regard to any other series or class. The foregoing sentence shall not be construed to limit the applicability of any other term or provision of the Charter to the Series N Preferred Stock. In addition to the legend contemplated by Article VI, Section 2.9 of the Charter, each certificate for Series N Preferred Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

"The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder on request and without charge a full statement of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation is authorized to issue, to the extent they have been set, and of the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of a subsequent series of a preferred or special class of stock. Such request may be made to the Secretary of the Corporation or to its transfer agent."

*SECOND:* The Series N Preferred Stock has been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter.

*THIRD:* These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.

*FOURTH:* The undersigned President of the the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Chief Financial Officer as of the date first written above.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Stephen Zsigray | /s/ Stephen Zsigray |
|  | Name: | Stephen Zsigray |
|  | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| ATTEST: | ATTEST: | ATTEST: |
| By: | /s/ Jim Plohg | /s/ Jim Plohg |
|  | Name: | Jim Plohg |
|  | Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |

---

[Signature Page to Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock Articles Supplementary]

## Exhibit 4.1

**Exhibit 4.1**

**Dated December 15, 2025**

**Rights Agreement**

between

**Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.**

as Company

and

**Computershare Trust Company, N.A.**

as Rights Agent

**Table of Contents**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  |  | **Page** |
| **Section 1.** | **Certain Definitions** | 1 |
| **Section 2.** | **Appointment of Rights Agent** | 7 |
| **Section 3.** | **Issue of Right Certificates** | 8 |
| **Section 4.** | **Form of Right Certificates** | 9 |
| **Section 5.** | **Countersignature and Registration** | 9 |
| **Section 6.** | **Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates; Uncertificated Rights** | 10 |
| **Section 7.** | **Exercise of Rights, Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights** | 10 |
| **Section 8.** | **Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates** | 12 |
| **Section 9.** | **Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock** | 12 |
| **Section 10.** | **Preferred Stock Record Date** | 13 |
| **Section 11.** | **Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares and Number of Rights** | 13 |
| **Section 12.** | **Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares** | 19 |
| **Section 13.** | **Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power** | 20 |
| **Section 14.** | **Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares** | 22 |
| **Section 15.** | **Rights of Action** | 23 |
| **Section 16.** | **Agreement of Right Holders** | 23 |
| **Section 17.** | **Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder** | 24 |
| **Section 18.** | **Concerning the Rights Agent** | 24 |
| **Section 19.** | **Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent** | 25 |
| **Section 20.** | **Duties of Rights Agent** | 25 |
| **Section 21.** | **Change of Rights Agent** | 28 |
| **Section 22.** | **Issuance of New Right Certificates** | 29 |
| **Section 23.** | **Redemption** | 29 |
| **Section 24.** | **Exchange** | 30 |
| **Section 25.** | **Notice of Certain Events** | 31 |
| **Section 26.** | **Notices** | 31 |
| **Section 27.** | **Supplements and Amendments** | 32 |
| **Section 28.** | **Successors** | 32 |
| **Section 29.** | **Beneficiaries of this Agreement** | 32 |
| **Section 30.** | **Process to Seek Exemption** | 33 |
| **Section 31.** | **Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors** | 33 |

---

(i) ---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  |  | **Page** |
| **Section 32.** | **Severability** | 33 |
| **Section 33.** | **Governing Law** | 33 |
| **Section 34.** | **Counterparts** | 34 |
| **Section 35.** | **Effectiveness** | 34 |
| **Section 36.** | **Descriptive Headings; Interpretation** | 34 |
| **Section 37.** | **Force Majeure** | 34 |
| **Section 38.** | **Entire Agreement** | 34 |

---

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **<u>EXHIBIT</u>** |  |  |
| Exhibit a | -- | Form of Articles Supplementary Designating Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock |
| Exhibit B | -- | Form of Right Certificate |
| Exhibit C | -- | Summary of Rights |

---

(ii) <u>RIGHTS AGREEMENT</u>

Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2025 ("<u>Agreement</u>"), between Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "<u>Company</u>"), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company, as Rights Agent (the "<u>Rights Agent</u>").

The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted resolutions creating a series of preferred stock designated as "Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock" and authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "<u>Right</u>") for each share of Common Stock (as such term is hereinafter defined) outstanding as of the Close of Business (as such term is hereinafter defined) on December 26, 2025 (the "<u>Record Date</u>"), each Right initially representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth (subject to adjustment as provided herein) of a share of Preferred Stock (as such term is hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and has further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein) with respect to each share of Common Stock that shall become outstanding between the Record Date and the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that Rights may be issued with respect to shares of Common Stock that shall become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with <u>Section 22</u> hereof.

Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

**Section 1. Certain Definitions**. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the meaning indicated:

"<u>Acquiring Person</u>" shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities (as such term is hereinafter defined) then outstanding, but shall not include an Exempt Person (as such term is hereinafter defined); <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring Person" became the Beneficial Owner of a number of Company Securities such that the Person would otherwise qualify as an "Acquiring Person" inadvertently (including because (A) such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned that number of Company Securities that would otherwise cause such Person to be an "Acquiring Person" or (B) such Person was aware of the extent of its Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such Beneficial Ownership under this Agreement), then such Person shall not be deemed to be or to have become an "Acquiring Person" unless and until such Person shall have failed to divest itself, as soon as practicable (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company), of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of shares of any class of Company Securities so that such Person would no longer otherwise qualify as an "Acquiring Person";

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) if, as of the date hereof or prior to the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities (a "<u>Grandfathered Person</u>"), such Grandfathered Person shall not be deemed to be or to become an "Acquiring Person" unless and until such time as such Grandfathered Person shall, after the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, become the Beneficial Owner of a percentage of any class of Company Securities outstanding exceeding such Grandfathered Person's Grandfathered Percentage by 0.5% or more (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on any class of outstanding Company Securities or pursuant to a split or subdivision of any class of outstanding Company Securities), unless, upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Company Securities, such Person is not then the Beneficial Owner of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities then outstanding;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" solely as a result of any unilateral grant of any security by the Company or through the exercise of any options, warrants, rights or similar interests (including restricted stock) granted by the Company to its directors, officers and employees; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" solely as the result of an acquisition of Company Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares of any class of Company Securities outstanding, increases the proportion of the Company Securities beneficially owned by such Person to 4.99% or more (or in the case of a Grandfathered Person, to exceed such Grandfathered Person's Grandfathered Percentage by 0.5% or more) of any class of Company Securities then outstanding; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of 4.99% or more (or in the case of a Grandfathered Person, shall exceed such Grandfathered Person's Grandfathered Percentage by 0.5% or more) of any class of Company Securities then outstanding by reason of such share acquisitions by the Company and shall thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Company Securities (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on any class of Company Securities or pursuant to a split or subdivision of any class of Company Securities), then such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" unless, upon becoming the Beneficial Owner of such additional Company Securities, such Person does not beneficially own 4.99% or more (or in the case of a Grandfathered Person, does not exceed such Grandfathered Person's Grandfathered Percentage by 0.5% or more) of any class of Company Securities then outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" solely as a result of an Exempt Transaction.

With respect to any Person, for all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of Company Securities outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of determining the particular percentage of the outstanding Company Securities of which such Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall include the number of Company Securities not outstanding at the time of such calculation that such Person is otherwise deemed to beneficially own for purposes of this Agreement, but the number of Company Securities not outstanding that such Person is otherwise deemed to beneficially own for purposes of this Agreement shall not be included for the purpose of computing the percentage of the outstanding Company Securities beneficially owned by any other Person (unless such other Person is also otherwise deemed to beneficially own for purposes of this Agreement such Company Securities not outstanding).

"<u>Affiliate</u>" and "<u>Associate</u>" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act (as such term is hereinafter defined), and to the extent not included within the foregoing, shall also include with respect to any Person, any other Person whose Company Securities would be deemed to be constructively owned by such first Person or otherwise aggregated with shares owned by such first Person, pursuant to the provisions of the Code, or any successor or replacement provision, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

"<u>Agreement</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

A Person shall be deemed the "<u>Beneficial Owner</u>" of, shall be deemed to have "<u>Beneficial Ownership</u>" of and shall be deemed to "<u>beneficially own</u>" any securities:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) which such Person actually owns, directly or indirectly, or would be deemed to actually or constructively own pursuant to Section 382 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (including any coordinated acquisition of securities by any Persons who have a formal or informal understanding with respect to such acquisition (to the extent that ownership of such securities would be attributed to such Persons under Section 382 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder));

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates is deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, within the meaning of Rule l3d-3 or Rule 13d-5 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has: (A) the right or obligation to acquire (whether such right is exercisable, or such obligation is required to be performed, immediately or only after the passage of time, upon compliance with regulatory requirements, upon the satisfaction of conditions (whether or not within the control of such Person) or otherwise) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, (w) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase, (x) securities which such Person has a right to acquire upon the exercise of Rights at any time prior to the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, (y) securities issuable upon the exercise of Rights from and after the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person if such Rights were acquired by such first Person or any of such first Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to <u>Section 3(a)</u> or <u>Section 22</u> hereof ("<u>Original Rights</u>") or pursuant to <u>Section 11(i)</u> or <u>Section 11(n)</u> hereof with respect to an adjustment to Original Rights, or (z) securities which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates may acquire, does or do acquire or may be deemed to have the right to acquire, pursuant to any merger or other acquisition agreement between the Company and such Person (or one or more of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) if such agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to such Person's becoming an Acquiring Person; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing); <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security by reason of such agreement, arrangement or understanding if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of such other Person) and with respect to which such first Person or any of such first Person's Affiliates or Associates has (x) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) (other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated by the proviso to <u>part (c)(B)</u> of the definition of "Beneficial Owner" hereof) or disposing of such securities or (y) any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to cooperate in obtaining, changing or influencing control of the issuer of such securities; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Counterparty (or any of such Counterparty's Affiliates or Associates) under any Derivatives Contract (without regard to any short or similar position under the same or any other Derivatives Contract) to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates is a Receiving Party (as such terms are hereinafter defined); <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the number of Company Securities that a Person is deemed to beneficially own pursuant to this clause (e) in connection with a particular Derivatives Contract shall not exceed the number of Notional Shares (as such term is hereinafter defined) with respect to such Derivatives Contract; <u>provided further</u> that the number of securities beneficially owned by each Counterparty (including its Affiliates and Associates) under a Derivatives Contract shall for purposes of this clause (e) be deemed to include all securities that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Counterparty (or any of such other Counterparty's Affiliates or Associates) under any Derivatives Contract to which such first Counterparty (or any of such first Counterparty's Affiliates or Associates) is a Receiving Party, with this proviso being applied to successive Counterparties as appropriate;

<u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that no Person who is an officer, director or employee of an Exempt Person shall be deemed, solely by reason of such Person's status or authority as such, to be the "Beneficial Owner" of, to have "Beneficial Ownership" of or to "beneficially own" any securities that are "beneficially owned" (as defined in this <u>Section 1</u>), including in a fiduciary capacity, by an Exempt Person or by any other such officer, director or employee of an Exempt Person.

"<u>Book Entry</u>" shall mean an uncertificated book entry for the Common Stock.

"<u>Business Day</u>" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

"<u>Close of Business</u>" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on such date; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next succeeding Business Day.

"<u>Code</u>" shall mean Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"<u>Common Stock</u>" when used with reference to the Company or without reference shall mean the Common Stock, presently par value $0.01 per share of the Company. "<u>Common Stock</u>" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the common stock (or, in the case of any entity other than a corporation, the equivalent equity interest) of such other Person.

"<u>Common Stock Equivalents</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u> hereof.

"<u>Company</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

"<u>Company Securities</u>" when used with reference to the Company or without reference shall mean the Common Stock and any other interest that the Board of Directors of the Company determines would be treated as "stock" of the Company for purposes of Section 382 of the Code (including Treasury Regulation Sections 1.382-2(a)(3) and 1.382-2T(f)(18)) in this <u>Section 1</u> and all other provisions of this Agreement in which such meaning is necessary in order to ensure that this Agreement is effective in preserving the Company's Tax Benefits.

"<u>Current Value</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u> hereof.

"<u>Derivatives Contract</u>" shall mean a contract between two parties (the "<u>Receiving Party</u>" and the "<u>Counterparty</u>") that is designed to produce economic benefits and risks to the Receiving Party that correspond substantially to the ownership by the Receiving Party of a number of Company Securities specified or referenced in such contract (the number corresponding to such economic benefits and risks, the "<u>Notional Shares</u>"), regardless of whether (i) obligations under such contract are required or permitted to be settled through the delivery of cash, Company Securities, or other property or (ii) such contract conveys any voting rights in shares of any class of Company Securities, without regard to any short or similar position under the same or any other Derivative Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, interests in broad-based index options, broad-based index futures and broad-based publicly traded market baskets of stocks approved for trading by the appropriate federal governmental authority shall not be deemed to be Derivatives Contracts.

"<u>Distribution Date</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 3(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Equivalent Preferred Shares</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(b)</u> hereof.

"<u>Exchange Act</u>" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"<u>Exchange Ratio</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 24(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Exempt Person</u>" shall mean (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, in each case including in its fiduciary capacity, or any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity or trustee holding (or acting in a fiduciary capacity in respect of) Company Securities for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan or for the purpose of funding any such plan or funding other employee benefits for employees of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any other Person, alone or together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Board of Directors of the Company shall only grant such an exemption if it determines that such ownership would not reasonably be expected to jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, or if it otherwise determines that the exemption is in the best interests of the Company; <u>provided</u>, <u>further,</u> that the Board of Directors of the Company makes such determination either (x) before the time such Person otherwise would have become an Acquiring Person, or (y) after the time such Person otherwise would have become an Acquiring Person if the Board of Directors of the Company has determined that such Person is an Inadvertent Acquiror; and <u>provided</u>, <u>further</u>, that such Person will cease to be an "Exempt Person" thereafter if the Board of Directors of the Company makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such Person's Beneficial Ownership (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person) with respect to the availability to the Company of its Tax Benefits, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances and if it otherwise determines that the exemption is not in the best interests of the Company. In granting an exemption under this definition, the Board of Directors of the Company may require any Person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person to make certain representations, undertakings or covenants or to agree that any violation or attempted violation of such representations, undertakings or covenants will result in such consequences and be subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine, including that any such violation shall result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person.

"<u>Exempt Transaction</u>" shall mean any transaction that the Board of Directors of the Company determines is exempt from this Agreement, which determination shall be made by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to the date of such transaction; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Board of Directors of the Company shall only grant an exemption under this definition if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities by any Person, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transaction or any other aspect of such transaction would not reasonably be expected to jeopardize or endanger the availability to the Company of the Tax Benefits, taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, or if it otherwise determines that the exemption is in the best interests of the Company. In granting an exemption under this definition, the Board of Directors of the Company may require any Person who would otherwise be an Acquiring Person to make certain representations, undertakings or covenants or to agree that any violation or attempted violation of such representations, undertakings or covenants will result in such consequences and be subject to such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine, including that any such violation shall result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person.

"<u>Exemption Request</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 30</u> hereof.

"<u>Expiration Date</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 7(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Flip-In Date</u>" shall mean any Stock Acquisition Date or such later date as the Board of Directors of the Company may from time to time fix by resolution adopted prior to the Flip-In Date that would otherwise have occurred.

"<u>Flip-In Event</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof.

"<u>Grandfathered Percentage</u>" shall mean, with respect to any Grandfathered Person, the percentage of the Company Securities outstanding that such Grandfathered Person Beneficially Owns as of the date hereof or the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, as applicable; <u>provided</u> that, in the event any Grandfathered Person shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Company Securities outstanding after the date hereof or the first public announcement of the adoption of this Agreement, as applicable, the Grandfathered Percentage shall, subsequent to such sale, transfer or disposition, mean, with respect to such Grandfathered Person, the lesser of (a) the Grandfathered Percentage as in effect immediately prior to such sale, transfer or disposition or (b) the percentage of the Company Securities outstanding that such Grandfathered Person Beneficially Owns immediately following such sale, transfer or disposition.

"<u>Grandfathered Person</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of "Acquiring Person" in <u>Section 1</u> hereof.

"<u>Inadvertent Acquiror</u>" shall mean any Person who would be an Acquiring Person but for clause (a) of the proviso in the definition of "Acquiring Person".

"<u>Nasdaq</u>" shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

"<u>New York Stock Exchange</u>" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange LLC.

"<u>Person</u>" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or a group of Persons making a "coordinated acquisition" of Company Securities or otherwise treated as an entity within the meaning of Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such individual or entity, but shall not include a Public Group (as defined in Section 1.382-2T(f)(13) of the Treasury Regulations).

"<u>Preferred Stock</u>" shall mean the Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions set forth in the Form of Articles Supplementary Designating Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock attached to this Agreement as <u>Exhibit A</u>.

"<u>Principal Party</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 13(b)</u> hereof.

"<u>Purchase Price</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 7(b)</u> hereof.

"<u>Record Date</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

"<u>Redemption Date</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 7(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Redemption Price</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 23(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Requesting Person</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 30</u> hereof.

"<u>Right</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

"<u>Right Certificate</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 3(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Rights Agent</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

"<u>Securities Act</u>" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

"<u>Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(iii</u>) hereof.

"<u>Section 382</u>" shall mean Section 382 of the Code, or any successor provision or replacement provision.

"<u>Spread</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u> hereof.

"<u>Stock Acquisition Date</u>" shall mean the first date of public announcement by the Company that a Person has become an Acquiring Person, which announcement makes express reference to such status as an Acquiring Person pursuant to this Agreement.

"<u>Subsidiary</u>" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power sufficient to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person, and any corporation or other entity that is otherwise controlled by such Person.

"<u>Substitution Period</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u> hereof.

"<u>Summary of Rights</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 3(b)</u> hereof.

"<u>Tax Benefits</u>" shall mean the net operating loss carryovers, capital loss carryovers, general business credit carryovers, Code Section 163(j) deferred interest carryovers, alternative minimum tax credit carryovers, foreign tax credit carryovers, research and development credit carryovers, any loss or deduction attributable to a "net unrealized built-in loss" (within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder), and any other tax credit, deduction or attribute the benefit of which may be limited by Sections 382 and 383 of the Code, in each case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

"<u>Trading Day</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u> hereof.

"<u>Treasury Regulations</u>" shall mean final, temporary and proposed tax regulations promulgated under the Code.

"<u>Trust</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 24(a)</u> hereof.

"<u>Trust Agreement</u>" shall have the meaning set forth in <u>Section 24(a)</u> hereof.

**Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent**. The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the express terms and conditions hereof (and no implied terms or conditions), and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-Rights Agents as it may deem necessary or desirable (the term "Rights Agent" being used in this Agreement (except for this <u>Section 2</u>) to refer, collectively, to the Rights Agent together with any such co-Rights Agents), upon ten days' prior written notice to the Rights Agent. In the event the Company appoints one or more co-Rights Agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agent and any co-Rights Agents shall be as the Company shall reasonably determine, provided that such duties are consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and that contemporaneously with such appointment the Company shall notify, in writing, the Rights Agent and any co-Rights Agents of any such duties. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise, and shall in no event be liable for, the acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agent.

**Section 3. Issue of Right Certificates**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Until the Close of Business on the next Business Day following the earlier of (i) the Flip-In Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day after the date (prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person), if any, as may be determined by action of the Board of Directors of the Company after the date of the commencement by any Person (other than an Exempt Person) of, or of the first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than an Exempt Person) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person (other than an Exempt Person) having beneficial ownership or becoming the Beneficial Owner of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities then outstanding (the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the "<u>Distribution Date</u>", <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Distribution Date shall in no event be prior to the Record Date), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of <u>Sections 3(b)</u> and <u>3(c)</u> hereof) by the certificates representing the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof (or by Book Entry shares in respect of such Common Stock) and not by separate Right Certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock. As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will countersign and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent will, if requested, send) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date (other than any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person), at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, in substantially the form of <u>Exhibit B</u> hereto (a "<u>Right Certificate</u>"), evidencing one Right (subject to adjustment as provided herein) for each share of Common Stock so held. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will make available a Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares of Preferred Stock, in substantially the form of <u>Exhibit C</u> hereto (the "<u>Summary of Rights</u>"), to any holder of Rights who may so request from time to time. With respect to certificates representing Common Stock (or Book Entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates registered in the names of the holders thereof (or such Book Entry shares). Until the Distribution Date (or, if earlier, the Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate representing Common Stock (or any Book Entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding on the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented thereby.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Rights shall, without any further action, be issued in respect of all shares of Common Stock issued by the Company after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date, or in certain circumstances provided in <u>Section 22</u> hereof, after the Distribution Date. Certificates issued for Common Stock after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration Date, or in certain circumstances provided in <u>Section 22</u> hereof, after the Distribution Date, shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise affixed to them the following legend:

This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the "<u>Company</u>") and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent, dated as of December 15, 2025, and as amended from time to time (the "<u>Rights Agreement</u>"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights owned by or transferred to any Person who is or becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and certain transferees thereof will become null and void and will no longer be transferable.

With respect to any Book Entry shares of Common Stock, such legend shall be included in a notice to the record holder of such shares in accordance with applicable law. With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, or any notice of the foregoing legend delivered to holders of Book Entry shares, until the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates or Book Entry shares shall be evidenced by such certificates or Book Entry shares alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate or Book Entry share, except as otherwise provided herein, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or otherwise acquires any Common Stock after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date, any Rights associated with such Common Stock shall be deemed canceled and retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Stock which are no longer outstanding.

Notwithstanding this paragraph <u>(c)</u>, neither the omission of a legend nor the failure to deliver the notice of such legend required hereby shall affect the enforceability of any part of this Agreement or the rights of any holder of the Rights.

**Section 4. Form of Right Certificates**. The Right Certificates (and the forms of election to purchase shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth in <u>Exhibit B</u> hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (but which do not affect the rights, duties, liabilities or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or interdealer quotation system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, each Right Certificate shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at the Purchase Price, but the number of such one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

**Section 5. Countersignature and Registration**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by any officer of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature or other electronic signature, and to the extent required or determined by the Company, shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile or other electronic version thereof and shall be attested by any other officer of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be countersigned manually or by facsimile or other electronic signature by the Rights Agent and shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though the Person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any Person who, at the actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such Person was not such an officer.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to be kept, at an office or agency designated for such purpose, books for registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.

**Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates; Uncertificated Rights**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, any Right Certificate or Right Certificates (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to <u>Section 24</u> hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer, split up, combination or exchange of any such surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder has properly completed and duly executed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate accompanied by a signature guarantee and such other documentation as the Rights Agent reasonably requests. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Right Certificates.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a valid Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Right Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Company and the Rights Agent may provide for uncertificated Rights in addition to or in place of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

**Section 7. Exercise of Rights, Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Rights shall become exercisable on the Distribution Date, and thereafter the registered holder of any Right Certificate (other than Right Certificates representing Rights that have become null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant to <u>Section 24</u> hereof) may, subject to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof and except as otherwise provided herein, exercise the Rights evidenced thereby in whole or in part upon surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, accompanied by a signature guarantee and such other documentation as the Rights Agent may reasonably request, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to the total number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to which the Rights are exercised, at any time which is both after the Distribution Date and prior to the time (the "<u>Expiration Date</u>") that is the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on December 14, 2026 (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in <u>Section 23</u> hereof (the "<u>Redemption Date</u>"), (iii) the closing of any merger or other acquisition transaction involving the Company pursuant to an agreement of the type described in <u>part (c)(A)(z)</u> of the definition of "Beneficial Owner" hereof, at which time the Rights are terminated, (iv) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as provided in <u>Section 24</u> hereof, (v) the Close of Business on the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 or any successor statute if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that this Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of Tax Benefits or (vi) the Close of Business on the first day of a taxable year of the Company during which the Board of Directors of the Company determines that no Tax Benefits may be carried forward.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The purchase price for each one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right shall be initially $20.00 (the "<u>Purchase Price</u>"). The Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock or other securities or property to be acquired upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in <u>Sections 11</u> and <u>13</u> hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph <u>(c)</u> of this <u>Section 7</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by payment of the aggregate Purchase Price for the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) to be purchased and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with <u>Section 9(e)</u> hereof, in cash or by certified check, cashier's check or money order payable to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Stock (or such other securities, as the case may be), or make available if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for the Preferred Stock (or such other securities, as the case may be), certificates for the number of shares of Preferred Stock (or such other securities, as the case may be) to be purchased, and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) requisition from a depositary agent appointed by the Company depositary receipts representing interests in such number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred Stock represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent), and the Company hereby directs any such depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in accordance with <u>Section 14</u> hereof, (iii) promptly after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, promptly deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, in case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise less than all of the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the exercisable Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of <u>Section 14</u> hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of Rights upon the occurrence of any purported transfer or exercise of Rights pursuant to <u>Section 6</u> hereof or this <u>Section 7</u> unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment or form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such transfer or exercise and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.

**Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates**. All Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange shall, and any Right Certificate representing Rights that have become null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof surrendered for any purpose shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. At the expense of the Company, the Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the Company, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company. Subject to applicable law, regulation, and the Rights Agent's records management policy, the Rights Agent shall maintain in a retrievable database electronic records of all canceled or destroyed Right Certificates which have been canceled or destroyed by the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent shall maintain such electronic records for the term of this Agreement and any additional time period required by applicable law and regulation. Upon written request of the Company (and at the expense of the Company), the Rights Agent shall provide to the Company or its designee copies of such electronic records relating to Right Certificates canceled or destroyed by the Rights Agent and shall certify to the Company the accuracy of such records.

**Section 9. Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, free from preemptive rights or any right of first refusal, the number of shares of Preferred Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of Rights may be listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to be listed or admitted to trading on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) From and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, the Company shall use its best efforts, if then necessary to permit the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock upon the exercise of Rights, to register and qualify such shares of Preferred Stock under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities or "Blue Sky" laws (to the extent exemptions therefrom are not available), cause such registration statement and qualifications to become effective as soon as possible after such filing and keep such registration and qualifications effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the earlier of the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities and the Expiration Date. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed 120 days, the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act and permit it to become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall have been obtained and until a registration statement under the Securities Act shall have been declared effective, unless an exemption therefrom is available.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates therefor (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right Certificates or of any shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) in a name other than that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) upon the exercise of any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable by that holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.

**Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date**. Each Person in whose name any certificate for Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of the shares of Preferred Stock (or other securities of the Company) represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable transfer taxes) was made; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or other securities) transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock (or other securities) transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate shall not be entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Stock (or other securities) for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including the right to vote or to receive dividends or other distributions, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

**Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares and Number of Rights**. The Purchase Price, the number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property purchasable upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in this <u>Section 11</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare and pay a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares of Preferred Stock or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise provided in this <u>Section 11(a)</u>, the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of a Right as of the record date for such dividend or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, the holder would have owned upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or reclassification.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Subject to <u>Section 24</u> hereof, in the event any Flip-In Date shall occur (the first occurrence of such event being referred to hereinafter as the "<u>Flip-In Event</u>"), then (A) the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to the Flip-In Event multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such Flip-In Event, whether or not such Right was then exercisable, and (B) each holder of a Right, except as otherwise provided in this <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> and <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u> hereof, shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the Purchase Price (as so adjusted), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall equal the result obtained by dividing the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) by 50% of the current per share market price of the Common Stock (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) on the date of such Flip-In Event; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Purchase Price (as so adjusted) and the number of shares of Common Stock so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall, following the Flip-In Event, be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with <u>Section 11(f)</u> hereof. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, however, from and after the Flip-In Event, any Rights that are beneficially owned by (x) any Acquiring Person (or any Affiliate or Associate of any Acquiring Person), (y) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or of any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the Flip-In Event or (z) a transferee of any Acquiring Person (or of any such Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Flip-In Event pursuant to either (I) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of its equity securities or to any Person with whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) regarding the transferred Rights or (II) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or effect of avoiding the provisions of this paragraph, and subsequent transferees, either direct transferees or transferees through one or more intermediate transferees, of such Persons, shall be null and void without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights under any provision of this Agreement. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> are complied with, but shall have no liability to any holder of Right Certificates or other Person as a result of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person, its Affiliates or Associates or its or their transferees hereunder. From and after the Flip-In Event, no Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to <u>Section 3</u> or <u>Section 6</u> hereof that represents Rights that are or have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, and any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights Agent that represents Rights that are or have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph shall be canceled. From and after the occurrence of an event specified in <u>Section 13(a</u>) hereof, any Rights that theretofore have not been exercised pursuant to this <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> shall thereafter be exercisable only in accordance with <u>Section 13</u> hereof and not pursuant to this <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) The Company may at its option substitute for a share of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u> a number of shares of Preferred Stock or fraction thereof such that the current per share market price of one share of Preferred Stock multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current per share market price of one share of Common Stock. In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock authorized but not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other than the exercise of the Rights is insufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u>, the Board of Directors of the Company shall, with respect to such deficiency, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to which the Company is a party, determine, in its sole discretion, whether to (A) take such actions as are necessary to authorize an amendment to the Charter increasing the number of authorized shares of Common Stock by an amount that is at least sufficient to permit exercise in full of the Rights and authorize the officers of the Company to execute and file such Charter amendment with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation or (B)(1) determine the excess (such excess, the "<u>Spread</u>") of (x) the value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u> (the "<u>Current Value</u>") over (y) the Purchase Price (as adjusted in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u>), and (2) with respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u>), make adequate provision to substitute for the shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph <u>(ii)</u> upon exercise of the Right and payment of the Purchase Price (as adjusted in accordance therewith), (u) cash, (v) a reduction in such Purchase Price, (w) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including 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 determined by the Board of Directors of the Company to have substantially the same value as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of Preferred Stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock are hereinafter referred to as "<u>Common Stock Equivalents</u>", and, when used with reference to any Person other than the Company, shall have a correlative meaning in respect of such Person's Common Stock)), (x) debt securities of the Company, (y) other assets or (z) any combination of the foregoing, having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the Current Value (taking into account the amount of any reduction in such Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors of the Company; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that if the Company shall not make adequate provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within 30 days following the Flip-In Event (the date of the Flip-In Event being the "<u>Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date</u>"), 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. If, upon the occurrence of the Flip-In Event, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that it is likely that sufficient additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, then, if the Board of Directors of the Company so elects, the 30 day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than 90 days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such 30 day period, as it may be extended, is herein called the "<u>Substitution Period</u>"). To the extent that the Company determines that some action need be taken pursuant to the second and/or third sentence of this <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u>, the Company (x) shall provide, subject to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof and the last sentence of this <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u>, that such action shall apply uniformly to all outstanding Rights and (y) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such second sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u>, the per share value of the shares of Common Stock shall be the current per share market price (as determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u> hereof) on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per share or fractional value of any Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the current per share market price of the Common Stock. The Board of Directors of the Company may, but shall not be required to, establish procedures to allocate the right to receive shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Rights among the holders of Rights pursuant to this <u>Section 11(a)(iii)</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them (for a period expiring within 45 days after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock (or shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock ("<u>Equivalent Preferred Shares</u>")) or securities convertible into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Shares at a price per share of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Shares (or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into shares of Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Shares) less than the then current per share market price of the Preferred Stock (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock and Equivalent Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock and Equivalent Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Shares so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock and Equivalent Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Shares to be offered for subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid in consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Shares of Preferred Stock and Equivalent Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Stock (including any such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or a dividend payable in Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in <u>Section 11(b)</u> hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred Stock (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Preferred Stock, and the denominator of which shall be such current per share market price (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) of the Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) (i) Except as otherwise provided herein, for the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per share market price" of any security (a "<u>Security</u>" for the purpose of this <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u>) on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the 30 consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security, and prior to the expiration of 30 Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported by the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed on a national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market as reported by any system then in use, or, if not so quoted, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The term "<u>Trading Day</u>" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, if the Preferred Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred Stock shall be determined in accordance with the method set forth in <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u> hereof. If the Preferred Stock is not publicly traded but the Common Stock is publicly traded, the "current per share market price" of the Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be the current per share market price of the Common Stock as determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u> hereof multiplied by the then applicable Adjustment Number (as defined in and determined in accordance with the Articles Supplementary Designating Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock). If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly traded, "current per share market price" shall mean the fair value per share as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase Price; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that any adjustments which by reason of this <u>Section 11(e)</u> are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this <u>Section 11</u> shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or one-hundredth of a share of Common Stock or other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this <u>Section 11(e)</u>, any adjustment required by this <u>Section 11</u> shall be made no later than the Expiration Date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)</u> hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company other than the Preferred Stock, thereafter the Purchase Price and the number of such other shares so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in <u>Sections 11(a)</u>, <u>11(b)</u>, <u>11(c)</u>, <u>11(e)</u>, <u>11(h)</u>, <u>11(i)</u> and <u>11(m)</u> hereof, as applicable, and the provisions of <u>Sections 7</u>, <u>9</u>, <u>10</u>, <u>13</u> and <u>14</u> hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in <u>Section 11(i)</u> hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations made in <u>Sections 11(b)</u> and <u>11(c)</u> hereof, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths of a share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right immediately prior to such adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to <u>Sections 11(b)</u> or <u>11(c)</u> hereof to adjust the number of Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth) obtained by dividing the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. Such record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten days later than the date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this <u>Section 11(i)</u>, the Company may, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing, subject to <u>Section 14</u> hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates to be so distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Right, the Right Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock which were expressed in the initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the Purchase Price below the then par value, if any, of the fraction of Preferred Stock or other shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise of a Right, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Preferred Stock or other such shares at such adjusted Purchase Price.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l) In any case in which this <u>Section 11</u> shall require that an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(m) Anything in this <u>Section 11</u> to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such adjustments in the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this <u>Section 11</u>, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, issuance wholly for cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Stock or securities which by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Stock, dividends on Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to hereinabove in <u>Section 11(b)</u>, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(n) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that at any time after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare and pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock, or (ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend payable in Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then, in each such case, the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock following any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(o) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any exercise or adjustment made pursuant to this <u>Section 11</u> would otherwise result in any holder of a Right receiving any class or series of shares of capital stock of the Company that would result in such holder, together with such holder's Affiliates and Associates, becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, then the Board of Directors of the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to distribute to such holder, in lieu thereof, either an amount in cash or a note or other evidence of indebtedness of equivalent value.

**Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares**. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in <u>Section 11</u> or <u>13</u> hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief, reasonably detailed statement of the facts and computations accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Common Stock, and the Preferred Stock a copy of such certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with <u>Section 25</u> hereof (if so required under <u>Section 25</u> hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure of the Company to make such certification or give such notice shall not affect the validity of such adjustment or the force or effect of the requirement for such adjustment. The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect to, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment unless and until it shall have received such certificate.

**Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earning Power**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after the Flip-In Event (i) the Company shall consolidate with or shall merge into any other Person, (ii) any Person shall merge with and into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Stock 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 or (iii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person (other than the Company or one or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company), then upon the first occurrence of such event, proper provision shall be made so that: (A) each holder of a Right (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock of the Company, such number of validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims, as shall equal the result obtained by dividing the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof) by 50% of the current per share market price of the Common Stock of such Principal Party (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d</u>) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof) and the number of shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party so receivable upon exercise of a Right shall be subject to further adjustment as appropriate in accordance with <u>Section 11(f)</u> hereof to reflect any events occurring in respect of the Common Stock of such Principal Party after the occurrence of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; (B) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (C) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party; and (D) such Principal Party shall take such steps (including the reservation of a sufficient number of its shares of Common Stock in accordance with <u>Section 9</u> hereof) in connection with such consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the shares of its Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights; <u>provided</u> that, upon the subsequent occurrence of any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets or other extraordinary transaction in respect of such Principal Party, each holder of a Right shall thereupon be entitled to receive, upon exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price as provided in this <u>Section 13(a)</u>, such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property which such holder would have been entitled to receive had such holder, at the time of such transaction, owned the Common Stock of the Principal Party receivable upon the exercise of a Right pursuant to this <u>Section 13(a)</u>, and such Principal Party shall take such steps (including reservation of shares of stock) as may be necessary to permit the subsequent exercise of the Rights in accordance with the terms hereof for such cash, shares, rights, warrants and other property.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) "<u>Principal Party</u>" shall mean:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) in the case of any transaction described in (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of <u>Section 13(a)</u> hereof: (A) the Person that is the issuer of the securities into which the shares of Common Stock are converted in such merger or consolidation, or, if there is more than one such issuer, the issuer of the shares of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding, or (B) if no securities are so issued, (x) the Person that is the other party to the merger, if such Person survives said merger, or, if there is more than one such Person, the Person the shares of Common Stock of which have the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding or (y) if the Person that is the other party to the merger does not survive the merger, the Person that does survive the merger (including the Company if it survives) or (z) the Person resulting from the consolidation; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) in the case of any transaction described in (iii) of the first sentence of <u>Section 13(a)</u> hereof, the Person that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions, or, if each Person that is a party to such transaction or transactions receives the same portion of the assets or earning power so transferred or if the Person receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power cannot be determined, whichever of such Persons is the issuer of Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding;

<u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that in any such case described in the foregoing <u>Sections 13(b)(i)</u> or <u>13(b)(ii)</u>, if the Common Stock of such Person is not at such time or has not been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, then (1) if such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is and has been so registered, the term "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person, or (2) if such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common Stock of all of which is and has been so registered, the term "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding, or (3) if such Person is owned, directly or indirectly, by a joint venture formed by two or more Persons that are not owned, directly or indirectly, by the same Person, the rules set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above shall apply to each of the owners having an interest in the venture as if the Person owned by the joint venture was a Subsidiary of both or all of such joint venturers, and the Principal Party in each such case shall bear the obligations set forth in this <u>Section 13</u> in the same ratio as its interest in such Person bears to the total of such interests.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer referred to in <u>Section 13(a)</u> hereof unless prior thereto the Company and the Principal Party involved therein shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent an agreement confirming that the requirements of <u>Sections 13(a)</u> and <u>(b)</u> hereof shall promptly be performed in accordance with their terms and that such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer of assets shall not result in a default by the Principal Party under this Agreement as the same shall have been assumed by the Principal Party pursuant to <u>Sections 13(a)</u> and <u>(b)</u> hereof and providing that, as soon as practicable after executing such agreement pursuant to this <u>Section 13</u>, the Principal Party will:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act, if necessary, with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date and similarly comply with applicable state securities laws;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) use its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall be listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or on another national securities exchange, to list or admit to trading (or continue the listing of) the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or such securities exchange, or, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall not be listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq or a national securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the securities receivable upon exercise of the Rights to be authorized for quotation on any other system then in use;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for the Principal Party which comply in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the Exchange Act; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iv) obtain waivers of any rights of first refusal or preemptive rights in respect of the Common Stock of the Principal Party subject to purchase upon exercise of outstanding Rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) In case the Principal Party has a provision in any of its authorized securities or in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other instrument governing its affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such Principal Party to issue (other than to holders of Rights pursuant to this <u>Section 13</u>), in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of a transaction referred to in this <u>Section 13</u>, shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents of such Principal Party at less than the then current market price per share thereof (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents of such Principal Party at less than such then current market price, or (ii) providing for any special payment, tax or similar provision in connection with the issuance of the Common Stock of such Principal Party pursuant to the provisions of this <u>Section 13</u>, then, in such event, the Company hereby agrees with each holder of Rights that it shall not consummate any such transaction unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement providing that the provision in question of such Principal Party shall have been canceled, waived or amended, or that the authorized securities shall be redeemed, so that the applicable provision will have no effect in connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of the proposed transaction.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any time after the Flip-In Event, enter into any transaction of the type described in clauses (i) through (iii) of <u>Section 13(a)</u> hereof if (i) at the time of or immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or other transaction there are any rights, warrants or other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights, (ii) prior to, simultaneously with or immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or other transaction, the stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the Principal Party for purposes of <u>Section 13(b)</u> hereof shall have received a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates or (iii) the form or nature of organization of the Principal Party would preclude or limit the exercisability of the Rights.

**Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights (except prior to the Distribution Date in accordance with <u>Section 11(n)</u> hereof) or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of this <u>Section 14(a)</u>, the current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by any system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon the exercise or exchange of Rights. Interests in fractions of shares of Preferred Stock in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it; <u>provided</u> that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Stock represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised or exchanged as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Preferred Stock (as determined in accordance with the method set forth in <u>Section 14(a)</u> hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise or exchange.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock upon the exercise or exchange of Rights. In lieu of such fractional shares of Common Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of Common Stock would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock. For purposes of this <u>Section 14(c)</u>, the current market value of one share of Common Stock for which a Right is exercisable shall be deemed to be the closing price of one share of Common Stock (as determined in accordance with <u>Section 11(d)(i)</u> hereof), for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon exercise or exchange of a Right (except as provided above).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Whenever a payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares is to be made by the Rights Agent under this Agreement, the Company shall (i) promptly prepare and deliver to the Rights Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the facts related to such payment and the prices or formulas utilized in calculating such payments and (ii) provide sufficient monies to the Rights Agent in the form of fully collected funds to make such payments. The Rights Agent may rely upon such a certificate and has no duty with respect to, and will not be deemed to have knowledge of, any payment for fractional Rights or fractional shares under any section of this Agreement relating to the payment of fractional Rights or fractional shares unless and until the Rights Agent has received such a certificate and sufficient monies.

**Section 15. Rights of Action**. All rights of action in respect of this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under this Agreement, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), on his own behalf and for his own benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, such Common Stock) in the manner provided therein and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement by the Company and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations hereunder, and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of, the obligations of the Company subject to this Agreement.

**Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders**. Every holder of a Right, by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock and the Right associated with each such share of Common Stock shall be automatically transferred upon the transfer of each such share of Common Stock;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) after the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable, subject to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof, only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates properly completed and duly executed, accompanied by a signature guarantee and such other documentation as the Rights Agent may reasonably request;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock certificate (or Book Entry shares in respect of Common Stock)) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the Common Stock certificate (or notices provided to holders of Book Entry shares of Common Stock) made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to <u>Section 7(e)</u> hereof, shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree, judgment or ruling (whether interlocutory or final) issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have any such injunction, order, decree, judgment or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as promptly as practicable.

**Section 17. Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder**. No holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Stock or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise or exchange of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in this Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged in accordance with the provisions hereof.

**Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in accordance with a fee schedule to be mutually agreed upon and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the preparation, negotiation, delivery, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, cost or expense (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) that may be paid, incurred or suffered by it, or to which it may become subject, without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Rights Agent, for any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the execution, acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, or of enforcing its rights under this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Rights Agent shall be authorized and protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in connection with its acceptance and administration of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate representing the Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, or any other securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, instruction, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be duly signed, executed and, where necessary, guaranteed, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in <u>Section 20</u> hereof. The Rights Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any event of which it was supposed to receive notice thereof hereunder, and the Rights Agent shall be fully protected and shall incur no liability for failing to take action in connection therewith unless and until it has received such notice in writing.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The provisions of this <u>Section 18</u> and <u>Section 20</u> hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the redemption, exercise, termination or expiration of the Rights and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Rights Agent.

**Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

**Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent**. The Rights Agent undertakes to perform only the duties and obligations expressly imposed by this Agreement, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent. The Rights Agent shall perform such duties and obligations upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by it (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall have no liability for or in respect of, any action taken or omitted by it in the absence of bad faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter (including the identity of any Acquiring Person and the determination of the current market price) be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any officer of the Company, and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken in the absence of bad faith by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to act without such certificate as set forth in this <u>Section 20(b)</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable order, judgment, decree or ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and to the fullest extent permitted by law, in no event will the Rights Agent be liable for special, punitive, incidental, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any liability of the Rights Agent under this Agreement will be limited to the amount of fees (but not including any reimbursed costs) paid by the Company to the Rights Agent during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Rights Agent is being sought.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for or be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the legality or validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate; nor shall it be liable or responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof) or any adjustment or calculation in the terms of the Rights provided for in Sections <u>3</u>, <u>11</u>, <u>13</u>, 14, <u>23</u> and <u>24</u> hereof, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change, adjustment or calculation (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of a certificate furnished pursuant to <u>Section 12</u> hereof, describing such change or adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Preferred Stock or other securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any shares of Preferred Stock or other securities will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The Rights Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or this Agreement, including obligations under applicable regulation or law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) The Rights Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any holder of Rights with respect to any action or default by the Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any person reasonably believed by the Rights Agent to be an officer of the Company, and to apply to any such officer for advice or instructions in connection with its duties under this Agreement, and such instructions shall provide full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall not be liable for and it shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in the absence of bad faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Rights Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon the most recent instructions received from any such officer, and shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after the date specified in such application unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date, in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent has received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, affiliate, officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company or any other legal entity resulting from any such act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence or bad faith in the selection and continued employment thereof (which gross negligence or bad faith must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(l) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights or powers if the Rights Agent has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(m) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate contained in the form of assignment or the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse thereof, as the case may be, has not been properly completed to certify the holder is not an Acquiring Person (or an Affiliate or Associate thereof) or a transferee thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first consulting with the Company; provided, however, that the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays arising from its duties under this <u>Section 20(m)</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(n) The Rights Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable "signature guarantee program" or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(o) In the event the Rights Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Rights Agent hereunder, the Rights Agent, may (upon notice to the Company of such ambiguity or uncertainty), in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to Company, the holder of any Rights Certificate or any other Person for refraining from taking such action, unless the Rights Agent receives written instructions signed by the Company which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of Rights Agent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(p) The Rights Agent shall have no responsibility to the Company, any holders of Right Certificates or any other Person for interest or earnings on any moneys held by the Rights Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

**Section 21. Change of Rights Agent**. The Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and, in the event that the Rights Agent or one of its Affiliates is not also the transfer agent for the Company, to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and, in the event that the Rights Agent or one of its Affiliates is not also the transfer agent for the Company, to each transfer agent of the Common Stock, or Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and, following the Distribution Date, to the holders of the Right Certificates in accordance with <u>Section 26</u>. In the event that the Rights Agent or one of its Affiliates is also the transfer agent for the Company and the transfer agency relationship in effect between the Company and the Rights Agent terminates, the Rights Agent will be deemed to have resigned as the Rights Agent automatically and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement as of the effective date of such termination, and the Company shall be responsible for sending any required notice. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by any registered holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then any registered holder of any Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) an entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States so long as such entity is authorized to do business as a banking institution in such state, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus, along with its Affiliates, of at least $50 million or (b) an Affiliate of such entity. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent under this Agreement without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further reasonable assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose, but such predecessor Rights Agent shall not be required to make any additional expenditure or assume any additional liability in connection with the foregoing. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall mail notice thereof in writing to the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock, or Preferred Stock, and, following the Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates in accordance with <u>Section 26</u>. Failure to give any notice provided for in this <u>Section 21</u>, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

**Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates**. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such forms as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Right Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, the Company may with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold (a) pursuant to the exercise of stock options, (b) under any employee plan or arrangement, (c) upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the Company or (d) pursuant to a contractual obligation of the Company, in each case existing prior to the Distribution Date, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that (i) no such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Right Certificate would be issued, (ii) no such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof and (iii) no such Right Certificate shall be issued to an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.

**Section 23. Redemption**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at any time prior to the Flip-In Event, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring in respect of the Common Stock after the date hereof (the redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the "<u>Redemption Price</u>"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion may establish. The Redemption Price shall be payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock or such other form of consideration as the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph <u>(a)</u> of this <u>Section 23</u> (or at such later time as the Board of Directors of the Company may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), and without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within ten days after such action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights (or such later time as the Board of Directors of the Company may establish for the effectiveness of such redemption), the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of the then outstanding Rights in accordance with <u>Section 26</u>. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption shall state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.

**Section 24. Exchange**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Immediately upon the effectiveness of the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph <u>(a)</u> of this <u>Section 24</u> and without any further action 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 that number of shares of Common Stock (or such other consideration contemplated by <u>Section 24(c)</u> below) equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company shall promptly mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of the Rights so exchanged in accordance with <u>Section 26</u>. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the shares of Common Stock (or such other consideration) for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be effected <u>pro rata</u> based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The Company may at its option substitute, and, in the event that there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit an exchange of Rights for Common Stock as contemplated in accordance with this <u>Section 24</u>, the Company shall substitute to the extent of such insufficiency, for each share of Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of shares of Preferred Stock or fraction thereof (or Equivalent Preferred Shares, as such term is defined in <u>Section 11(b)</u> hereof) such that the current per share market price (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) of one share of Preferred Stock (or Equivalent Preferred Share) multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current per share market price of one share of Common Stock (determined pursuant to <u>Section 11(d)</u> hereof) as of the date of such exchange.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any exchange of the Rights made pursuant to this <u>Section 24</u> would otherwise result in any holder of a Right receiving any class or series of shares of capital stock of the Company that would result in such holder, together with such holder's Affiliates and Associates, becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, then the Board of Directors of the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to distribute to such holder, in lieu thereof, either an amount in cash or a note or other evidence of indebtedness of equivalent value.

**Section 25. Notice of Certain Events**.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In case the Company shall at any time after the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Stock Acquisition Date propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of its Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of its Preferred Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification involving only the subdivision or combination of outstanding Preferred Stock), (iv) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (v) to pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in Common Stock or to effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common Stock), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with <u>Section 26</u> hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such dividend or distribution or offering of rights or warrants, or the date on which such liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reclassification, subdivision, combination or consolidation is to take place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Stock, and/or Preferred Stock, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least ten days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least ten days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Stock, and/or Preferred Stock, whichever shall be the earlier. The failure to give notice required by this <u>Section 25</u> or any defect therein shall not affect the legality or validity of the action taken by the Company or the vote upon any such action.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In case any event described in <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> or <u>Section 13</u> hereof shall occur then (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Right Certificate (or if occurring prior to the Distribution Date, the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance with <u>Section 26</u> hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> and <u>Section 13</u> hereof, and (ii) all references in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to refer to Common Stock and/or, if appropriate, other securities.

**Section 26. Notices**. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by overnight delivery service or first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.

14185 Dallas Parkway Suite 1200,

Dallas, Texas 75254

Attention: General Counsel

Copy to:

White & Case LLP

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Attention: Richard M. Brand

Subject to the provisions of <u>Section 21</u> hereof, any notice or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by overnight delivery service or first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.<br> 150 Royall Street<br> Canton, MA 02021<br> Attention: Client Services

Facsimile: (781) 575-4210

Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the last address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock.

**Section 27. Supplements and Amendments**. Except as provided in the third sentence of this <u>Section 27</u>, for so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may in its sole and absolute discretion, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement in any respect without the approval of any holders of the Rights. At any time when the Rights are no longer redeemable, except as provided in the third sentence of this <u>Section 27</u>, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights, <u>provided</u> that no such supplement or amendment may (a) adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights as such (other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or any other holder of Rights that have become null and void pursuant to <u>Section 11(a)(ii)</u> hereof), (b) cause this Agreement again to become amendable other than in accordance with this sentence or (c) cause the Rights again to become redeemable. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an officer of the Company which states that the supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this <u>Section 27</u>, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment, <u>provided</u> that such supplement or amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, immunities or obligations of the Rights Agent under this Agreement. No supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Rights Agent (not to be unreasonably delayed) and the Company.

**Section 28. Successors**. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

**Section 29. Beneficiaries of this Agreement**. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock).

**Section 30. Process to Seek Exemption**. Any Person who desires to effect any acquisition of Company Securities that would, if consummated, result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person (a "<u>Requesting Person</u>") may, prior to such time and in accordance with this <u>Section 30</u>, request that the Board of Directors grant an exemption with respect to such acquisition under this Agreement so that such Person would be deemed to be an "Exempt Person," or that such acquisition be deemed to be an "Exempt Transaction," in each case as defined in <u>Section 1</u> for purposes of this Agreement (an "<u>Exemption Request</u>"). An Exemption Request shall be in proper form and must be sent to the Company in accordance with <u>Section 26</u> hereof. The Exemption Request shall be deemed made upon receipt by the Secretary of the Company. To be in proper form, an Exemption Request shall set forth (a) the name and address of the Requesting Person, (b) the number and percentage of Company Securities then Beneficially Owned by the Requesting Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of the Requesting Person, and (c) a reasonably detailed description of the transaction or transactions by which the Requesting Person would propose to become an Acquiring Person and the maximum number and percentage of Company Securities that the Requesting Person proposes to acquire. The Board of Directors shall make a determination whether to grant an exemption in response to an Exemption Request as promptly as reasonably practicable after receipt thereof; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the failure of the Board of Directors to make a determination within such period shall be deemed to constitute the denial by the Board of Directors of the Exemption Request. The Requesting Person shall respond promptly to requests for additional information from the Board of Directors and its advisors to assist the Board of Directors in making its determination. Any exemption granted hereunder may be granted in whole or in part, and may be subject to limitations or conditions (including a requirement that the Requesting Person agree that it will not acquire Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities in excess of the maximum number and percentage of shares approved by the Board of Directors), in each case as the Board of Directors may determine, including that any such violation shall result in the Requesting Person becoming an Acquiring Person. Any Exemption Request may be submitted on a confidential basis and, except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company shall maintain the confidentiality of such Exemption Request and the Board of Directors' determination with respect thereto, unless the information contained in the Exemption Request or the Board of Directors' determination with respect thereto otherwise becomes publicly available.

**Section 31. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors**. The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise the rights and powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend or not amend this Agreement). Without limiting any of the rights and immunities of the Rights Agent, all such actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations that are done or made by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights, as such, and all other parties. The Rights Agent is entitled always to assume the Board of Directors has acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in reliance thereon.

**Section 32. Severability**. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement or the Rights Certificate is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement and the Rights Certificate shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated; provided, however, that if such excluded provision shall adversely affect the rights, immunities, liabilities, duties or obligations of the Rights Agent, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to resign immediately upon written notice to the Company.

**Section 33. Governing Law**. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of Maryland and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State without regard to any provision of law or rule that would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction; provided, that all provisions regarding the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Rights Agent under this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within the State of New York.

**Section 34. Counterparts**. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect and enforceability as an original signature.

**Section 35. Effectiveness**. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Close of Business on the date hereof.

**Section 36. Descriptive Headings; Interpretation**. Descriptive headings of the several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. As used in this Agreement: (a) the word "or" shall mean "and/or"; (b) the words "include", "includes" or "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation"; (c) the word "extent" in the phrase "to the extent" shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply "if"; (d) the words "hereof", "hereby", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, (e) unless otherwise expressly provided herein, any statute or regulation defined or referred to herein means such statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by succession of comparable successor statutes, and includes any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder and (f) any reference herein to an act by, or determination of, the Board of Directors of the Company shall mean such act or determination as made by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion, except to the extent expressly set forth otherwise herein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms. Each of the parties hereto has participated in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement. If any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement must be construed as if it is drafted by both parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party hereto by virtue of authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

**Section 37. Force Majeure**. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Rights Agent shall not be liable for any delays or failures in performance of any act, duty, obligation or responsibility resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to any act or provision or any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any acts of God, epidemics, pandemics, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, breakdowns or malfunctions, interruptions or malfunction of computer facilities, or loss of data due to power failures or mechanical difficulties with information storage or retrieval systems, labor difficulties, civil or military disobedience or disorder, riot, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, fire, earthquake, storm, flood, strike, work stoppage, war or civil unrest, accident or failure or malfunction of any utilities communication or computer services or similar occurrence.

**Section 38. Entire Agreement**. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Stephen Zsigray |
|  | Name: Stephen Zsigray |
|  | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
| COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Rights Agent | COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Rights Agent |
| By: | /s/ Peter Duggan |
|  | Name: Peter Duggan |
|  | Title: Executive Vice President |

---

[*Signature Page to Rights Agreement*]

**Exhibit A**

**ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.**

**FORM OF**

**ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY ESTABLISHING AND FIXING THE RIGHTS AND<br> PREFERENCES OF A SERIES OF PREFERRED STOCK**

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "*Corporation*"), having its principal office in the State of Maryland in Baltimore City, Maryland and its principal executive office in Dallas, Texas certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

*FIRST:* Under a power contained in Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law and Article V of the Corporation's Articles of Amendment and Restatement (as the same may be amended or supplemented, the "*Charter*"), the Board of Directors (the "*Board*") on December 15, 2025, classified and designated 300,000 shares of the unissued preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation as Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with the following preferences, rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Charter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. *Designation and Number*. There shall be a series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "*Series N Preferred Stock*") that shall be designated as "Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 300,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock to less than the number of shares then issued and outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding securities issued by the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. *Rank*. The Series N Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, rank: (i) prior or senior to any class or series of common stock of the Corporation and any other class or series of equity securities, if the holders of Series N Preferred Stock are entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of shares of such class or series ("*Junior Stock*"); (ii) on a parity with any other class or series of the equity securities of the Corporation issued in the future if, pursuant to the specific terms of such class or series of equity securities, the holders of such class or series of equity securities and the holders of the Series N Preferred Stock are entitled to the receipt of dividends and of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in proportion to their respective amounts of accrued and unpaid dividends per share or liquidation preferences, without preference or priority one over the other ("*Parity Stock*"); (iii) junior to the 8.45% Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.375% Series F Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.375% Series G Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.50% Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the 7.50% Series I Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series J Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series K Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series L Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation, the Series M Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share of the Corporation, and any other class or series of the equity securities of the Corporation issued in the future if, pursuant to the specific terms of such class or series of equity securities, the holders of such class or series are entitled to the receipt of dividends or amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up in preference or priority to the holders of the Series N Preferred Stock (collectively, the "*Senior Stock*"); and (iv) junior to all of the existing and future indebtedness of the Corporation. The term "equity securities" does not include convertible debt securities, which, unless otherwise provided, will rank senior to the Series N Preferred Stock prior to conversion.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. *Dividends and Distributions*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any Senior Stock, the holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any Junior Stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly cash dividends in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1.00 and (b) the sum of (1) the Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends <u>plus</u> (2) the Adjustment Number times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "*Common Stock*"), or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), in each case declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date (as defined below), or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series N Preferred Stock. Dividends on the Series N Preferred Stock shall by payable on the 15<sup>th</sup> day of each January, April, July, and October in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "*Quarterly Dividend Payment Date*"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series N Preferred Stock, *provided* that if any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date is not a business day, then the dividend which would otherwise have been payable on that Quarterly Dividend Payment Date may be paid on the next succeeding business day, and no interest, additional dividends or other sums will accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after that dividend payment date to that next succeeding business day. The "*Adjustment Number*" shall initially be 1,000. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after December 15, 2025 (i) declare and pay a dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series N Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph <u>(A)</u> above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series N Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series N Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date; in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series N Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated <u>pro rata</u> on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. Dividends will be payable to holders of record as they appear in the Corporation's stock records for the Series N Preferred Stock at the close of business on the applicable record date, which shall be, whether or not a business day, the 30th calendar day of the month preceding the next applicable dividend payment date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. *Voting Rights*. The holders of shares of Series N Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) Except as required by law, by the Charter, and by Section <u>10</u> hereof, holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. *Certain Restrictions*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series N Preferred Stock as provided in Section <u>3</u> hereof are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series N Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any Junior Stock (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) other than (A) such redemptions or purchases that may be deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or similar rights or grant, vesting or lapse of restrictions on the grant of any other performance shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other equity awards to the extent that such shares represent all or a portion of (x) the exercise or purchase price of such options, warrants or similar rights or other equity awards and (y) the amount of withholding taxes owed by the recipient of such award in respect of such grant, exercise, vesting or lapse of restrictions; (B) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any such shares from employees, former employees, directors, former directors, consultants or former consultants of the Corporation or their respective estate, spouse, former spouse or family member, pursuant to the terms of the agreements pursuant to which such shares were acquired;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any Parity Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series N Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then entitled; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series N Preferred Stock, or any Parity Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of Series N Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such Parity Stock, upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall determine will result in fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph <u>(A)</u> of this Section <u>5</u>, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. *Reacquired Shares*. Any shares of Series N Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their retirement have the status of authorized but unissued preferred stock, without designation as to class or series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular class or series by the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. *Liquidation Preference*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(A) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, before any distribution or payment shall be made to or set apart for the holders of any Junior Stock, the holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, out of the Corporation's assets legally available for distribution its stockholders, after payment or provision for the Corporation's debts and other liabilities, a liquidation preference equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to, but not including, the date of such payment, and (ii) the Adjustment Number times the per share amount of all cash and other property to be distributed in respect of the Common Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (the "*Series N Liquidation Preference*"). If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, its assets, or proceeds thereof, distributable among the holders of Series N Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay in full the above described preferential amount and liquidating payments on any other shares of any class or series of Parity Stock, then such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among the holders of Series N Preferred Stock and any such other Parity Stock ratably in the same proportion as the respective amounts that would be payable on such Series N Preferred Stock and any such other Parity Stock if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(B) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another entity nor the merger or consolidation of any other entity into or with the Corporation shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this Section <u>7</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. *Consolidation, Merger, Etc*. In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the outstanding shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of Series N Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share equal to the Adjustment Number times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. *No Redemption*. Shares of Series N Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. *Amendment*. At any time that any shares of Series N Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Charter shall not be amended, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, in any way which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series N Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series N Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. The holders of the Series N Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive voting right on any amendment that would alter the contract rights of the Series N Preferred Stock, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of only the Series N Preferred Stock, and no holders of any other class of capital stock, including the Common Stock, shall have any voting right with respect thereto.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. *Fractional Shares*. Series N Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share that shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series N Preferred Stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12. *Restrictions on Transfer, Acquisition and Redemption of Shares*. The Series N Preferred Stock is governed by and issued subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions of the Charter, including but not limited to the terms and conditions (including exceptions and exemptions) of Article VI of the Charter; provided, however, that the terms and conditions (including exceptions and exemptions) of Article VI of the Charter shall also be applied to the Series N Preferred Stock separately and without regard to any other series or class. The foregoing sentence shall not be construed to limit the applicability of any other term or provision of the Charter to the Series N Preferred Stock. In addition to the legend contemplated by Article VI, Section 2.9 of the Charter, each certificate for Series N Preferred Stock shall bear substantially the following legend:

"The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder on request and without charge a full statement of the designations and any preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the stock of each class which the Corporation is authorized to issue, to the extent they have been set, and of the authority of the Board of Directors to set the relative rights and preferences of a subsequent series of a preferred or special class of stock. Such request may be made to the Secretary of the Corporation or to its transfer agent."

*SECOND:* The Series N Preferred Stock has been classified and designated by the Board under the authority contained in the Charter.

*THIRD:* These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.

*FOURTH:* The undersigned President of the Corporation acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned President acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Chief Financial Officer as of the date first written above.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. |
| By: |  |  |
|  | Name: | Stephen Zsigray |
|  | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| ATTEST: | ATTEST: |  |
| By: |  |  |
|  | Name: | Jim Plohg |
|  | Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |

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[Signature Page to Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock Articles Supplementary]

**Exhibit B**

Form of Right Certificate

Certificate No. R-______

No. of Rights:

NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER DECEMBER 14, 2026, OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $0.0001 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (EACH AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.

RIGHT CERTIFICATE

ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.

This certifies that ____________________________, or registered assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2025, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "*Rights Agreement*"), between Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "*Company*"), and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company, as Rights Agent (the "*Rights Agent*"), to purchase from the Company at any time on or after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and, subject to the terms of the Rights Agreement, prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on December 14, 2026, at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "*Preferred Stock*"), of the Company at a purchase price of $20.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock (the "*Purchase Price*"), upon presentation and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of December 26, 2025, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) which may be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights and the number of Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

If the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are at any time beneficially owned by or transferred to any person who is or becomes an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (each as defined in the Rights Agreement) or certain transferees thereof, such Rights will become null and void and will no longer be transferable.

In certain circumstances described in the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced hereby may entitle the registered holder thereof to purchase securities of an entity other than the Company or securities of the Company other than Preferred Stock or assets of the Company, all as provided in the Rights Agreement.

This Right Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal executive offices of the Company and the office or agency of the Rights Agent indicated in the Rights Agreement. The Company will mail to the holder of this Right Certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request therefor. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Rights Certificate and the Rights Agreement, the provisions of the Rights Agreement shall govern and be controlling in all respects.

This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon surrender at the office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, at a redemption price of $0.0001 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged by the Company under certain circumstances, at its option, in whole or in part for shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "*Common Stock*"), shares of Preferred Stock, or Equivalent Preferred Shares (as defined in the Rights Agreement).

No fractional shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be issued upon the exercise or exchange of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions of Preferred Stock which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depository receipts), but in lieu thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

No holder of this Right Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise or exchange hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement) or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised or exchanged as provided in the Rights Agreement.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company and its corporate seal. Dated as of _________ __, 20__.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. | ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC. |
| By: |  |
| Name: | Stephen Zsigray |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| ATTEST: |  |
| Title: | Title: |
| Countersigned: | Countersigned: |
| COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Rights Agent | COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Rights Agent |
| By: |  |
| Name: | Name: |
| Title: | Title: |

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Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered holder if such holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(Please print name and address of transferee)

_______ Rights represented by this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________________________ Attorney, to transfer said Rights on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.

Dated:     <br> Signature

Signature Guaranteed:

Signatures must be guaranteed by a bank, trust company, broker, dealer or other eligible institution participating in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program.

  <br> (To be completed)

The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by or are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (2) this Right Certificate is not being sold, assigned or transferred to or on behalf of any Acquiring Person or Affiliate or Associate thereof and (3) the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

Signature

Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate - continued

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

(To be executed if holder desires to exercise Rights represented by the Right Certificate)

To Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ________ Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the shares of Series N Preferred Stock (or other securities or property) issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that certificates for such shares of Series N Preferred Stock (or such other securities) be issued in the name of:

(Please print name and address)

If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security

or other identifying number

<u>(Please print name and address)</u> <br> Dated:  

Signature

(Signature must conform to holder specified on Right Certificate)

Signature Guaranteed:

Signature must be guaranteed by a bank, trust company, broker, dealer or other eligible institution participating in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program.

Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate - continued

(To be completed)

The undersigned hereby certifies that (1) the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by or are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (2) this Right Certificate is not being sold, assigned or transferred to or on behalf of any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof and (3) the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof.

Signature

NOTICE

The signature in the Form of Assignment or Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, must conform to the name as written upon the face of this Right Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

In the event the certification set forth above in the Form of Assignment or the Form of Election to Purchase, as the case may be, is not completed, such Assignment or Election to Purchase will not be honored.

**Exhibit C**

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS OWNED BY OR TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON WHO IS OR BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (EACH AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE.

SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE<br> SHARES OF SERIES N PREFERRED STOCK OF<br> ASHFORD HOSPITALITY TRUST, INC.

On December 15, 2025, the Board of Directors (the "*Board*") of Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (the "*Company*") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "*Right*") for each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "*Common Stock*"), each Right initially representing the right to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series N Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "*Series N Preferred Stock*") at a price of $20.00 per one one-thousandth of a share of Series N Preferred Stock (the "*Purchase Price*"), subject to adjustment as provided in the Rights Agreement (defined below). The dividend is payable to holders of Common Stock of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 26, 2025 (the "*Record Date*"). The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2025, as the same may be amended from time to time, (the "*Rights Agreement*"), between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent.

Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Rights Agreement, the Rights will separate from the Common Stock and become exercisable at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the next business day following the earlier of (i) the Flip-In Date (as defined below) or (ii) 10 business days after the date (prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person), if any, as may be determined by action of the Board, in its sole discretion, following the commencement of, or public announcement of an intention to commence, a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person (the earlier of such dates being called the "*Distribution Date*"). A person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an "*Acquiring Person*" upon acquiring Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of 4.99% or more of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, except in certain situations (including a person or group of affiliated or associated persons that currently has Beneficial Ownership of any class of Company Securities then outstanding in excess of such threshold unless and until such person or group becomes the Beneficial Owner of a percentage of any class of Company Securities outstanding that exceeds by 0.5% or more the percentage of any class of Company Securities outstanding that such person or group owned as of the first public announcement of the adoption of the Rights Agreement). "*Company Securities*" means the Common Stock and any other interest that the Board determines would be treated as "stock" of the Company for purposes of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "*Code*") (including Treasury Regulation Sections 1.382-2(a)(3) and 1.382-2T(f)(18)).

The Rights Agreement provides that, until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the Rights will be transferred with and only with the Common Stock. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuances of Common Stock will contain a legend incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference (and notice of such legend will be furnished to holders of book entry shares). Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Common Stock (or of any book entry shares of Common Stock) outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such legend (or notice of such legend) or a copy of the Summary of Rights (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement), will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of Common Stock represented by such certificate (or book entry). As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("*Right Certificates*") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Right Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.

The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. Pursuant to the terms of the Rights Agreement, the Rights will expire on the earliest of (i) 5:00 p.m. New York City time on December 14, 2026, (ii) the effective date of the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any successor statute if the Board determines in its sole discretion that the Rights Agreement is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of tax benefits, or (iii) the first day of a taxable year of the Company to which the Board determines in its sole discretion that no tax benefits may be carried forward, unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below, or upon the occurrence of certain transactions.

The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Series N Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights is 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 Series N Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the Series N Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Series N Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Series N Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then-current market price of the Series N Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Series N Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (other than regular periodic cash dividends or dividends payable in Series N Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

The number of outstanding Rights is subject to adjustment in the event of a stock dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.

Shares of Series N Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each share of Series N Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a minimum preferential quarterly dividend payment of the greater of (a) $1.00 per share, and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series N Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential payment of the greater of (a) $1.00 per share (plus any accrued but unpaid dividends), and (b) an amount equal to 1,000 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. Each share of Series N Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Series N Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions.

The Rights Agreement includes procedures whereby the Board will consider requests to exempt (a) any person or group (an "*Exempt Person*") which would otherwise be an Acquiring Person, or (b) any transaction (an "*Exempt Transaction*") resulting in the Beneficial Ownership of Company Securities, prior to the consummation of such transaction, in each case as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, provided that it will only grant such an exemption if it determines in its sole discretion that such ownership would not reasonably be expected to jeopardize or endanger the availability of the tax benefits to the Company or if it otherwise determines that the exemption is in the best interests of the Company; provided further that, (A) in the case of an Exempt Person, if the Board later makes a contrary determination with respect to the effect of such person or group's Beneficial Ownership with respect to the availability to the Company of its tax benefits, such person or group will cease to be an Exempt Person and (B) in the case of an Exempt Person or Exempt Transaction, the Board in its sole discretion may require the applicable person or group to make certain representations or undertakings, the violation or attempted violation of which will be subject to such consequences as the Board may determine in its sole discretion, including that such person or group will become an Acquiring Person.

Because of the nature of the Series N Preferred Stock's dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a share of Series N Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate the value of one share of Common Stock.

On the first date of public announcement by the Company that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons has become an Acquiring Person pursuant to the Rights Agreement, which announcement makes express reference to such status as an Acquiring Person pursuant to the Rights Agreement (the "*Stock Acquisition Date*"), or on such later date as the Board may fix by resolution adopted prior to such Stock Acquisition Date (such date, a "*Flip-In Date*", and the first Flip-In Date to occur, a "*Flip-In Event*"), each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will thereupon become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right that number of shares of Common Stock or, at the Company's option, shares of Series N Preferred Stock (or fraction thereof, having an equivalent value to the substituted Common Stock) having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right; provided that if such exercise of Rights would result in a person becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, the Board may elect (in its sole discretion) to distribute to such person cash or a note or other form of indebtedness of equivalent value.

If, after a Flip-In Event, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold, proper provisions will be made so that each holder of a Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will have become null and void) will thereafter have the right to receive upon the exercise of a Right that number of shares of common stock of the person with whom the Company has engaged in the foregoing transaction (or its parent) that at the time of such transaction have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.

At any time after a Flip-In Event and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the previous paragraph or the acquisition by such Acquiring Person of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person, affiliates and associates of the Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof which will have become null and void), in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock or Series N Preferred Stock (or a series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions), at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or a fractional share of Series N Preferred Stock (or other preferred stock) equivalent in value thereto, per Right; provided that if such exchange of Rights would result in a person becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than 4.99% of any class of Company Securities then outstanding, the Board may elect (in its sole discretion) to distribute to such person cash or a note or other form of indebtedness of equivalent value.

With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in such Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Series N Preferred Stock or Common Stock will be issued (other than fractions of shares of Series N Preferred Stock which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Series N Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and in lieu thereof an adjustment in cash will be made based on the current market price of the Series N Preferred Stock or the Common Stock.

At any time prior to a Flip-In Event, the Board may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.0001 per Right (the "*Redemption Price*") payable, at the option of the Company, in cash, shares of Common Stock or such other form of consideration as the Board determines in its sole discretion. The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon any 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.

For so long as the Rights are then redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner. After the Rights are no longer redeemable, the Company may, except with respect to the Redemption Price, amend the Rights Agreement in any manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than holders of Rights owned by or transferred to any person who is or becomes an Acquiring Person or affiliates and associates of an Acquiring Person and certain transferees thereof).

Until a Right is exercised or exchanged, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote or to receive dividends.

A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Registration Statement on Form 8-A. A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.