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EXHIBIT 4.1    
  

LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.

and

COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC  

as Rights Agent  

 
  RIGHTS AGREEMENT    
  

Dated as of November 9, 2001  

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS    
  

	 
	 
	 	Page

	Section 1.	Certain Definitions.	 	1
	Section 2.	Appointment of Rights Agent.	 	4
	Section 3.	Issue of Right Certificates.	 	5
	Section 4.	Form of Right Certificates.	 	6
	Section 5.	Countersignature and Registration.	 	6
	Section 6.	Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.	 	7
	Section 7.	Exercise of Rights, Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights.	 	7
	Section 8.	Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates.	 	8
	Section 9.	Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock.	 	8
	Section 10.	Preferred Stock Record Date.	 	9
	Section 11.	Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares and Number of Rights.	 	10
	Section 12.	Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.	 	16
	Section 13.	Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or Earnings Power.	 	16
	Section 14.	Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.	 	20
	Section 15.	Rights of Action.	 	21
	Section 16.	Agreement of Right Holders.	 	21
	Section 17.	Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.	 	21
	Section 18.	Concerning the Rights Agent.	 	22
	Section 19.	Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.	 	22
	Section 20.	Duties of Rights Agent.	 	23
	Section 21.	Change of Rights Agent.	 	24
	Section 22.	Issuance of New Right Certificates.	 	25
	Section 23.	Redemption.	 	25
	Section 24.	Exchange.	 	26
	Section 25.	Notice of Certain Events.	 	27
	Section 26.	Notices.	 	27
	Section 27.	Supplements and Amendments.	 	28
	Section 28.	Successors.	 	28
	Section 29.	Benefits of this Agreement.	 	28
	Section 30.	Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors.	 	29
	Section 31.	Severability.	 	29
	Section 32.	Governing Law.	 	29
	Section 33.	Counterparts.	 	29
	Section 34.	Descriptive Headings.	 	29
	

 	

 	
 	

 

  

 
 

RIGHTS AGREEMENT    
  

    Rights Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2001 (this "Agreement"), between LTC HEALTHCARE, INC., a Nevada corporation (the
"Company"), and COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights
Agent"). 

    The
Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each
share of Common Stock (as such term is hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding as of the Close of Business (as herein defined) on November 19, 2001 (the "Record
Date"), each Right representing the right to purchase one one-hundreths (subject to adjustment as provided herein) of a share of Preferred Stock (as 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);  provided,
however, 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 Section 22. 

    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: 

    (a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined) who or which shall be the Beneficial
Owner (as hereinafter defined) of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not include an Exempt Person (as hereinafter defined) or a Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of
the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of this Rights Agreement so long as such Beneficial Owner does not increase its Beneficial Ownership (as such term is hereinafter defined) by more
than 10,000 shares from and after the date of this Rights Agreement (the "Permitted Limit"); provided,  however, that (i) if the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring Person"
became such inadvertently (including, without limitation, because (A) such Person was unaware that it beneficially owned Common Stock 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 Common Stock but had no actual knowledge of the consequences of such Beneficial Ownership under this Agreement)
and does not have any intention of changing or influencing control of the Company, and if such Person as promptly as practicable divested or divests
itself of Beneficial Ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be an "Acquiring Person," then such Person shall not be deemed to be or to have
become an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement; (ii) a Person shall not be an Acquiring Person if such Person became the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock equal to or
in excess of the Permitted Limit pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Stock in shares of Common Stock or pursuant to a split or subdivision of
the outstanding Common Stock, or pursuant to or as the result of any employee benefit plan, employee stock or stock option plan, employment agreement or other compensation agreement of or with the
Company or any Subsidiary (as that term is hereinafter defined) of the Company relating to such Person's rendering services to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, including without
limitation as a director, unless and until such time as such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common Stock (other than pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid
or made by the Company on the outstanding Common Stock in shares of Common Stock or pursuant to a split or subdivision of the outstanding Common 

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Stock, and other than any such additional shares of Common Stock of which such Person shall become the Beneficial Owner pursuant to or as the result of any employee benefit plan, employee stock or
stock option plan, employment agreement or other compensation agreement of or with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company relating to such Person's rendering services to the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, including without limitation as a director) such that such Person is the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock in an amount equal to or in excess of the Permitted
Limit; and (iii) no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of shares of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding,
increases the Beneficial Ownership of shares of Common Stock by such Person to an amount equal to or more than the Permitted Limit, provided,  however, that
if a Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of a number of shares equal to or more than the Permitted Limit, by reason of share
acquisitions by the Company and shall thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common Stock, then such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person"; provided further,
that for so long as the Rights are redeemable the Board of Directors may amend this Agreement pursuant to Section 27 hereof to permit a specified Person or group of specified Affiliated or
Associated Persons (as those terms are hereinafter defined) to acquire Beneficial Ownership of a number of shares equal to or more than the Permitted Limited as determined by the Board of Directors
without becoming an Acquired Person. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for purposes of
determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in accordance with the last sentence of
Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act (as that term is hereinafter defined) as in effect on the date hereof. 

    (b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act (as that term is hereinafter defined), as in effect on the date hereof. 

    (c) A
Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, shall be deemed to have "Beneficial
Ownership" of and shall be deemed to "beneficially own" any securities: 

    (i)  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 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Rights Agreement; 

    (ii) which
such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has (A) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (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, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided,  however, that a
Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, (x) 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, (y) 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 or (z) 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 Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to
Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof ("Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) or Section 11(n) hereof with
respect to an adjustment to Original Rights; or (B) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; provided,  however, 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 

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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); or 

    (iii) which
are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other Person and with respect to which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (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 Section 1(c)(ii)(B) hereof) or disposing of such securities of the Company; 

provided, however, 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 Section 1(c)), including, without limitation, in a fiduciary capacity, by an Exempt Person or by any other such officer, director or employee of an Exempt Person. 

    (d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the New York Stock Exchange or
banking institutions in the State of Texas or the state in which the principal executive office of the Rights Agent is located are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. 

    (e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., Los Angeles, California time, on such date;  provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Los Angeles,
California time, on the next succeeding Business Day. 

    (f)  "Common Stock" when used with reference to the Company shall mean the Common Stock, presently par value $.01 per
share, of the Company. "Common Stock" when used with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the common stock (or, in the case of an unincorporated entity, the equivalent equity
interest) with the greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a Subsidiary (as such term is hereinafter defined) of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately
control such first-mentioned Person. 

    (g) "Common Stock equivalents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof. 

    (h) "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Rights Agreement. 

    (i)  "current per share market price" shall be determined in accordance with Section 11(d) hereof. 

    (j)  "Current Value" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof. 

    (k) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof. 

    (l)  "equivalent preferred shares" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(b) hereof. 

    (m) "Exempt Person" shall mean the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, in each case including, without limitation,
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 Common Stock 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. 

    (n) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

    (o) "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24 hereof. 

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    (p) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof. 

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

    (r) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof. 

    (s) "NASDAQ" shall mean The NASDAQ Stock Market. 

    (t)  "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) to such entity. 

    (u) "Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of
the Company having the rights and preferences set forth in the Form of Certificate of Designation attached to this Rights Agreement as Exhibit A. 

    (v) "Principal Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof. 

    (w) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4 hereof. 

    (x) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto. 

    (y) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof. 

    (z) "Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 23(a) hereof. 

    (aa) Intentionally
omitted. 

    (bb) "Right Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof. 

    (cc) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto. 

    (dd) "Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto. 

    (ee) "Security" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d) hereof. 

    (ff) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

    (gg) "Section 11(a) (ii) Trigger Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof. 

    (hh) "Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof. 

    (ii) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition,
shall include, without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such, or such earlier
date as a majority of the Board of Directors shall become aware of the existence of an Acquiring Person. 

    (jj) "Subsidiary" 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. 

    (kk) "Substitution Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof. 

    (ll) "Summary of Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) hereof. 

    (mm)"Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(d)(i) hereof. 

    Section 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent.  The Company hereby appoints the Rights Agent to act as
agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, 

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shall prior to the Distribution Date be the holders of Common Stock) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, 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. 

    Section 3.  Issue of Right Certificates.  

    (a) Until
the Close of Business on the earlier of (i) the tenth day after the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth Business Day (or such later date as
may be determined one or more times by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) 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 such Person (other than an Exempt Person) to commence, a tender or exchange offer the successful consummation of which would
result in any Person (other than an Exempt Person) becoming the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock aggregating an amount equal to or more than the Permitted Limit (including any such date
which is after the date of this Agreement and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the earlier of such dates being herein referred to as the "Distribution
Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) by the certificates for Common Stock registered in the names of the
holders thereof 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 and at the expense of
the Company, 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 Exhibit B hereto (a
"Right Certificate"), 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. 

    (b) On
the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Shares of Preferred Stock, in
substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Stock
as of the Close of Business on the Record Date (other than any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of any Acquiring Person), at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company. With respect to certificates for 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 together with the Summary of Rights. Until the Distribution Date (or, if earlier, the Expiration Date), the surrender for transfer of any certificate for 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. 

    (c) Certificates
issued for Common Stock (including, without limitation, upon transfer of outstanding Common Stock, disposition of Common Stock out of treasury stock or
issuance or re-issuance of Common Stock out of authorized but unissued shares) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the Distribution Date and the Expiration 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 LTC HEALTHCARE, INC. and COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR
SERVICES, LLC, as Rights Agent, dated as of November 9, 2001 as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive offices of LTC 

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HEALTHCARE, INC. 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.
LTC HEALTHCARE, INC. 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 such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the Distribution Date the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate, 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 (c), the omission of a legend shall not 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 Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks of identification or designation
and such legends, summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate 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 Sections 11, 13 and 22 hereof, the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set forth therein at the price per one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock set forth therein (the
"Purchase Price"), but the number of such one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock and the Purchase Price shall be subject to
adjustment as provided herein. 

    Section 5.  Countersignature and Registration.  

    (a) The
Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
President of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof and shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent, either manually or by facsimile signature, 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. 

    (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 

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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.  

    (a) Subject
to the provisions of Sections 7(e), 11(a)(ii) and 14 hereof, at any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, any Right
Certificate or Right Certificates 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-hundredths 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. 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. 

    (b) Subject
to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, 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 Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's request, 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. 

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

    (a) Except
as otherwise provided herein, the Rights shall become exercisable on the Distribution Date, and after the Rights have become exercisable the registered
holder of any Right Certificate may, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) 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,
together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect to the total number of one one-hundredths 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 "Expiration
Date") that is the earliest of (i) the Close of Business on November 19, 2011 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
(ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the "Redemption Date") or (iii) the time at which
such Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof. 

    (b) The
Purchase Price shall be initially four dollars ($4.00) for each one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a
Right. The Purchase Price and the number of one one-hundredths 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 Sections 11 and 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c) of this
Section 7. 

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    (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 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 Section 9 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 certificates for the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably
authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing interests in such number of one
one-hundredths 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 the 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 Section 14 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. 

    (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 Section 14 hereof. 

    (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 Section 6 hereof or this Section 7 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 Rights 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, 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. 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. 

    Section 9.  Availability of Shares of Preferred Stock.  

    (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 or any shares of
Preferred Stock held in its treasury, the number of shares of Preferred Stock that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights. 

8

 

    (b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) issuable
upon the exercise of Rights may be listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, or quoted on NASDAQ, 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, or quoted on NASDAQ, upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise. 

    (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 (and, following the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) upon the exercise of Rights, to register and qualify such shares of Preferred
Stock (and, following the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) 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 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 90 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 (if required) shall have been declared effective. 

    (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 (and, following the time that
any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, shares of Common Stock and other securities) 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. 

    (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 shares of Common Stock or other securities) 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 shares of Common Stock or other securities) 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 shares of Common Stock or other securities) 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 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 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;  provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred
Stock transfer books of the 

9

 

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
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 for
which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, 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 Section 11. 

    (a) (i)
In the event the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement (A) declare 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 Section 11(a), the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such subdivision,
combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date, 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;  provided,
however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. 

    (ii) Subject
to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event any Person becomes an Acquiring Person (the first occurrence of such event being referred to
hereinafter as the "Flip-In Event"), 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-hundredths 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 Section 11(a)(ii) and
Section 11(a)(iii) 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 Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of such Flip-In Event (or, if the exercisability of the Rights is temporarily
suspended pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof, at the Company's election on a date selected by the Company no later than the expiration of such temporary suspension);  provided, however, 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 Section 11(f) 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 any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the Flip-In Event or (z) a
transferee of any Acquiring Person (or any such 

10

 

Affiliate or Associate) who became a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Flip-In Event pursuant to either (I) a transfer from the Acquiring Person to holders of its equity
securities or to any Person with whom it has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding 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 of such Persons, shall
be 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 Section 11(a)(ii) 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 or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder. From and
after the Flip-In Event, no Right Certificate shall be issued pursuant to Section 3 or Section 6 hereof that represents Rights that are or have become 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 void pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph shall be
canceled. From and after the occurrence of an event specified in Section 13(a) hereof, any Rights that theretofore have not been exercised pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii) shall
thereafter be exercisable only in accordance with Section 13 and not pursuant to this Section 11(a)(ii). 

    (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
(ii) 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 there shall not be sufficient shares of Common Stock issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit the
exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii), the Board of Directors shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law and any material agreements then in effect to
which the Company is a party (A) determine the excess (such excess, the "Spread") of (1) the value of the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) (the "Current Value") over (2) the Purchase Price (as
adjusted in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii)), and (B) with respect to each Right (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the foregoing subparagraph (ii)), make
adequate provision to substitute for the shares of Common Stock issuable in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) upon exercise of the Right and payment of the Purchase Price (as
adjusted in accordance therewith), (1) cash, (2) a reduction in such Purchase Price, (3) shares of Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company (including, without
limitation, shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock which, by virtue of having dividend, voting and liquidation rights substantially comparable to those of the shares of Common Stock, are
deemed in good faith by the Board of Directors to have substantially the same value as the shares of Common Stock (such shares of Preferred Stock and shares or fractions of shares of preferred stock
are hereinafter referred to as "Common Stock equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any
combination of the foregoing, having a value which, when added to the value of the shares of Common Stock actually issued upon exercise of such Right, shall have an aggregate value equal to the
Current Value (less the amount of any reduction in such Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors upon the advice of an investment banking firm selected
in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that if the Company shall not make adequate
provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the Flip-In Event or in the event a later valuation date for the Common Stock is
selected by the Company pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, within 

11

 

thirty (30) days of such later valuation date (the "Section 11(a) (ii) Trigger Date"), 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 shall determine in good faith 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 so elects, the thirty (30) day period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety
(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 thirty
(30) day period, as it may be extended, is herein called the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company determines that some action
need be taken pursuant to the second and/or third sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall provide, subject to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof and the last
sentence of this Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, 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 Section 11(a) (iii), the value of the shares of Common Stock shall be the current per share
market price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)) 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 holders of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(a)(iii). 

    (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 calendar 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
("equivalent preferred shares")) 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 Section 11(d) 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);  provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less 

12

 

than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration part or all of which
shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith 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. 

    (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 Section 11(b) 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 Section 11(d) hereof) on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith 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 Section 11(d) hereof) of the Preferred Stock;  provided, however, that in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be
less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company to be issued upon exercise of one Right. 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. 

    (d) (i)
Except as otherwise provided herein, for the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per share market
price" of any security (a "Security" for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) 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 immediately prior to such date; provided,  however, 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 in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to the principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to
trading or, if the Security is 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 NASDAQ or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is 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 Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The 

13

 

term "Trading Day" 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. 

    (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 Section 11(d)(i). 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 Section 11(d)(i) multiplied by the then
applicable Adjustment Number (as defined in and determined in accordance with the Certificate of Resolution for the 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 in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent. 

    (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;  provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to
be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest
one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock or share of Common Stock or other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any
adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the
Expiration Date. 

    (f)  If
as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) 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 Sections 11(a), 11(b), 11(c), 11(e), 11(h),
11(i) and 11(m) hereof, as applicable, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares. 

    (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-hundredths 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. 

    (h) Unless
the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of the calculations
made in Sections 11(b) and (c), 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-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the
number of one one-hundredths of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to
such adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price. 

    (i)  The
Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 11(a)(i), 11(b) or 11(c) hereof to adjust the number of
Rights, in substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after
such adjustment of 

14

 

the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one one-hundredths 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. This 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 10 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 Section 11(i), 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 Section 14 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 so to be 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. 

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

    (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 the Rights, 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. 

    (l)  In
any case in which this Section 11 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 the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of 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; provided, however, 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. 

    (m) Anything
in this Section 11 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 Section 11, 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 

15

 

rights, options or warrants referred to hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders. 

    (n) Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that at any time after the date of this Rights Agreement and prior to the Distribution
Date, the Company shall (i) declare or 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. 

    (o) The
Company agrees that, after the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Stock Acquisition Date, it will not, except as permitted by Sections 23, 24 or 27 hereof,
take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish substantially or eliminate the benefits intended to
be afforded by the Rights. 

    Section 12.  Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.  Whenever an adjustment
is made as provided in Section 11 or 13 hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts 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 Section 25 hereof (if so required under Section 25 hereof). The Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such
certificate and on any adjustment therein contained 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 Earnings Power.  

    (a) In
the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after the Flip-In Event (i) the Company shall merge with and into any other Person,
(ii) any Person shall consolidate with the Company, or 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 void pursuant to
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with
Section 11(a)(ii) 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 

16

 

Purchase Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) by 50% of the current per share market price of the Common Stock of such Principal Party (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer; provided,  however, that the Purchase
Price (as theretofore adjusted in accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) 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 Section 11(f) 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 Rights 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, but not limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its shares of
Common Stock in accordance with Section 9 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; provided 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 Section 13(a), 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 Section 13(a), and such Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, 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. 

    (b) "Principal Party" shall mean 

    (i)  in
the case of any transaction described in (i) or (ii) of the first sentence of Section 13(a) 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 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 

    (ii) in
the case of any transaction described in (iii) of the first sentence in Section 13(a) 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 as is the issuer of Common Stock
having the greatest aggregate market value of shares outstanding immediately following the transaction; provided, however, that in any such case described in the foregoing
clause (b)(i) or (b)(ii), 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 

17

 

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 immediately following the transaction, 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 Section 13 in the same ratio as its interest in such Person bears to the total of such interests. 

    (c) The
Company shall not consummate any consolidation, merger, sale or transfer referred to in Section 13(a) 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 Sections 13(a) and (b) 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 Sections 13(a) and (b) hereof and providing that, as soon as practicable after executing such agreement pursuant to this Section 13, the
Principal Party will: 

    (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; 

    (ii) use
its best efforts, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall be listed or admitted to trading on any 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 such securities exchange, or, if the Common Stock of the Principal Party shall not be
listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, to cause the Rights and the securities receivable upon exercise of the Rights to be authorized for quotation on NASDAQ or on such other
system then in use; 

    (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 

    (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. 

    (d) In
case the Principal Party has provision in any of its authorized securities or in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other instrument
governing its corporate affairs, which provision would have the effect of (i) causing such Principal Party to issue (other than to holders of Rights pursuant to this Section 13), in
connection with, or as a consequence of, the consummation of a transaction referred to in this Section 13, shares of Common Stock of such Principal Party at less than the then current market
price per share thereof (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) or securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock 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
Section 13, 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. 

18

  

    (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 Section 13(a) 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 Section 13(a) 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.  

    (a) The
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights (except prior to the
Distribution Date in accordance with Section 11(n) hereof). 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 Section 14(a), 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 a national securities exchange 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 NASDAQ or such other 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 in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used. 

    (b) The
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock). Interests in fractions of Preferred Stock in integral multiples of one one-hundredths 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;  provided, 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-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company shall pay to the registered holders of Right
Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current per share market price of one share of Preferred Stock (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise. 

    (c) 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 of a Right
(except as provided above). 

20

 

    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 Section 18 hereof, 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 and will be entitled to specific performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual or
threatened violations of, the obligations of any Person 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: 

    (a) prior
to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock; 

    (b) after
the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable 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; 

    (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) 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 made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the
Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and 

    (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 or ruling issued by a court or by
a governmental, 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 any obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its reasonable best efforts to have any order, decree or ruling
lifted or otherwise overturned. 

    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 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 in accordance with the provisions hereof. 

21

 

    Section 18.  Concerning the Rights Agent.  

    (a) The
Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights
Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The
Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent and its affiliates and each of their directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") for, and to hold them
harmless against, any damage, loss, liability, cost or expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Parties, for anything done or omitted
by the Indemnified Parties in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim or demand of liability arising
therefrom, directly or indirectly. The costs and expenses of enforcing this right of indemnification shall also be paid by the Company. The indemnification provided for hereunder shall survive the
expiration of the Rights and termination of this Agreement. 

    (b) The
Rights Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with, its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or certificate for the Preferred Stock or Common Stock or for other securities of the Company, instrument
of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be
signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons, or otherwise upon the advice of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof. 

    (c) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of
any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of the action. 

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

    (a) Any
corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the stock transfer or corporate trust powers of the Rights Agent or
any successor Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto;  provided, that such corporation would be eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case
at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Agreement any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights
Agent may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases
such Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement. 

    (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 

22

 

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 the duties and obligations
imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent, by all of which duties and
obligations the Company and the holders of Right Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound: 

    (a) Before
the Rights Agent acts or refrains from acting, the Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel of its own choice (who may be legal counsel for the Company),
and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. 

    (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 be proved or
established by the Company prior to taking or suffering 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 the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the Chief Financial Officer
or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the
provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate. 

    (c) The
Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company and any other Person only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. In no event shall
the Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits). 

    (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. 

    (e) The
Rights Agent shall not 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 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 responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the Rights becoming void
pursuant to Section 11(a) (ii) hereof) or any adjustment in the terms of the Rights provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 and 24, or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that
would require any such change or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates after receipt of a certificate furnished pursuant to Section 12,
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. 

    (f)  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. 

23

 

    (g) 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 one of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the Secretary or the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered by it in good 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 or omitted 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 not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application on or after
the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than five Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application unless any such officer shall
have consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent shall have received written instructions in
response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted. 

    (h) The
Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, 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. 

    (i)  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, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting
from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof. 

    (j)  If,
with respect to any Rights 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 completed to certify the holder is not an Acquiring
Person (or an Affiliate or Associate thereof), the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company. 

    (k) 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 if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is
not reasonably assured to it. 

    (l)  The
Rights Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have any notice of any fact, event or determination (including, without limitation, any dates
or events defined in this Agreement or the designation of any Person as an Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate) under this Agreement unless and until the Rights Agent shall be specifically
notified in writing by the Company of such fact, event or determination. 

    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 to each transfer agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or
certified mail, and, following the Distribution Date, at the expense of the Company, to the holders of the Right 

24

 

Certificates by first-class 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 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 by
first-class mail. 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 the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the 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 corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or the laws of any other state of the United States or the District of Columbia, 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 of at least $25 million. 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 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 assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice thereof in writing with
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. Failure to give any notice provided for in this
Section 21, 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 pursuant to (i) the exercise of stock options, (ii) under any employee plan or arrangement, (iii) upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities
notes or debentures issued by the Company or (iv) a contractual obligation of the Company, in each case existing prior to the Distribution Date, issue Rights Certificates representing the
appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale. 

    Section 23.  Redemption.  

    (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 $.001 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any combination, stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (the redemption price being
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors 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 shall determine. 

    (b) Immediately
upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 23 (or at such
later time as the Board of 

25

 

Directors 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; provided,  however,
that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption. Within 10 days after such
action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights (or such later time as the Board of Directors 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 at their last addresses as they appear upon 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. 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.  

    (a) The
Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at any time after the Flip-In Event, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and
exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of
Common Stock per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such amount per Right being hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be empowered to effect such exchange at any time after an
Acquiring Person shall have become the Beneficial Owner of shares of Common Stock aggregating 50% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding. From and after the occurrence of an event
specified in Section 13(a) hereof, any Rights that theretofore have not been exchanged pursuant to this Section 24(a) shall thereafter be exercisable only in accordance with
Section 13 and may not be exchanged pursuant to this Section 24(a). The exchange of the Rights by the Board of Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish. 

    (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 (a) of
this Section 24 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 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; provided, however, 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 at their last addresses as they appear upon the registry
books of the Rights Agent. 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 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 pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) held by each holder of Rights. 

    (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 Section 24, 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 

26

 

Section 11(b)) such that the current per share market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) 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 Section 11(d) hereof) as of the date of the Flip-In
Event. 

    (d) The
Company shall not, in connection with any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock or to distribute
certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock. 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 per share market price of a whole share of Common Stock (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this Section 24. 

    Section 25.  Notice of Certain Events.  

    (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 declare or 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 Section 26 hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or
warrants, or the date on which such liquidation, dissolution or winding up 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 10 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 10 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 

    (b) In
case any event described in Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13 shall occur then 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 Section 26 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 Section 11(a)(ii) and Section 13 hereof. 

    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 first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed
in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows: 

LTC
HEALTHCARE, INC.

Attention: Secretary

300 Esplanade Drive, Suite 1865

Oxnard, California 93030 

27

 

Subject
to the provisions of Section 21 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 first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows: 

COMPUTERSHARE
INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC

Attention: Relationship Manager

2 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602 

With
a copy to: 

COMPUTERSHARE
INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC

Attention: Keith Bradley

2 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602 

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 address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company. 

    Section 27.  Supplements and Amendments.  Except as provided in the penultimate sentence of this
Section 27, 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, at the expense of the
Company, 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 penultimate sentence of this Section 27, the Company may, and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, at the expense of the Company, supplement or amend this Agreement without
the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem
necessary or desirable; provided that no such supplement or amendment shall 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), and no such amendment may cause the Rights again to become redeemable or cause the Agreement again to become amendable other
than in accordance with this sentence. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) no supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the Redemption Price, and
(ii) no supplement or amendment that changes the rights and duties of the Rights Agent under this Agreement shall be effective against the Rights Agent without the execution of such supplement
or amendment by the Rights Agent. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms
of this Section 27, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. 

    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.  Benefits 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, 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 

28

 

of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock). 

    Section 30.  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, without limitation, 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, without limitation, a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to
amend this Agreement). All such actions,
calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing) that are done or made by the Board of Directors of
the Company in good faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights, as such, and all other parties, and (y) not subject the
Board of Directors to any liability to the holders of the Rights. 

    Section 31.  Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement 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 shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. 

    Section 32.  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 Nevada 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. 

    Section 33.  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. 

    Section 34.  Descriptive Headings.  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. 

[signatures
on following page] 

29

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

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By	/s/ Wendy L. Simpson

	 	 	Name:	Wendy L. Simpson

	 	 	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC

as Rights Agent
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By	/s/ John A. Castellanos

	 	 	Name:	John A. Castellanos

	 	 	Title:	Relationship Manager

30

  

 
 

Exhibit A    
  

 
  FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION
  
    of
  
    SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
  
    of
  
    LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.
  
    Pursuant to
Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes    
  

    LTC HEALTHCARE, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY: 

    That
pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the said Corporation, the
said Board of Directors on November 8, 2001 adopted the following resolution creating a series of 400,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock": 

    RESOLVED,
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
a series of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the voting and other powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows: 

 
 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock    
  

    1.  Designation and Amount.  There shall be a series of Preferred Stock that shall be designated as
"Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock," and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 400,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the
Board of Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A 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. 

    2.  Dividends and Distribution.  

    (A) Subject
to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any class or
series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 1st day of 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $.10 or (b) the
Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 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 or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common 

Exhibit A–1

 

Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with
respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. The
"Adjustment Number" shall initially be 100. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after November 19, 2001 (the
"Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any dividend on 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, 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. 

    (B) The
Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock). 

    (C) Dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating 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 pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 60 days prior
to the date fixed for the payment thereof. 

    3.  Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall
have the following voting rights: 

    (A) Each
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the Adjustment Number on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. Holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred shall vote together with the Common Stock. 

    (B) Except
as required by law and by Section 10 hereof, holders of Series A Junior Participating 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. 

    4.  Certain Restrictions.  

    (A) Whenever
quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2
are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A 

Exhibit A–2

 

Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not 

    (i)  declare
or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; 

    (ii) declare
or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating 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 

    (iii) purchase
or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity
with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such shares ranking on a parity therewith, 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 in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the
respective series or classes. 

    (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 (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner. 

    5.  Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Junior Participating 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 become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to any conditions and
restrictions on issuance set forth herein. 

    6.  Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  

    (A) Upon
any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking
junior (upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall have received an
amount per share (the "Series A Liquidation Preference") equal to the greater of (i) $100, plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, or (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. 

    (B) In
the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation
preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, that rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably
to the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. 

Exhibit A–3

 

    (C) Neither the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another corporation nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation 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 6. 

    7.  Consolidation, Merger, Etc.  In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger,
combination or other transaction in which the 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 A Junior Participating 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. 

    8.  No Redemption.  Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject
to redemption by the Company. 

    9.  Ranking.  The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other
series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, unless the terms of any such series shall provide
otherwise, and shall rank senior to the Common Stock as to such matters. 

    10.  Amendment.  At any time that any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. 

    11.  Fractional Shares.  Series A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. 

    IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this 9th day of November, 2001. 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By:	 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	Name:	 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	Title:	 
	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	

 

Exhibit A–4

  

 
 

Exhibit B
  
    Form of Right Certificate    
  

Certificate
No. R-            

NOT
EXERCISABLE AFTER NOVEMBER 19, 2011 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT $.001 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 (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR
IS AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE. 

 
 

Right Certificate
  
    LTC HEALTHCARE, 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 November 9, 2001, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between
LTC HEALTHCARE INC., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), and COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from
the Company at any time after the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 P.M., Los Angeles, California time, on November 19, 2011 at the
office or agency of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or of its successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredths of a fully paid non-assessable share of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company, at a purchase price of four dollars ($4.00) per one one-hundredths
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 Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-hundredths 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 November 19, 2001, based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date. As provided in the
Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths 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. 

    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 above-mentioned office or
agency of the Rights Agent. 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. 

    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 

Exhibit B–1

 

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 Right Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price of $.001 per Right or
(ii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, or shares of Preferred Stock. 

    No
fractional shares of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary 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 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 as provided in the Rights Agreement. 

    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      . 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By:	 
	 	 	 	

	 	 	Title:	 
	 	 	 	

	

 	
 	

 	

 
	ATTEST:	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	
 [Title]	 	 	 
	

Countersigned:	
 	

 	

 
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC,

as Rights Agent	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	By	 	 	 
	
 [Title]	 	 	 

Exhibit B–2

 
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:	 	 
	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	
 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. 

	 	 	 
	
 (To be completed)

    The
undersigned hereby certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by, were not acquired by the undersigned from, and are not being
assigned to an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement). 

	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	
 Signature

Exhibit B–3

 
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 Rights Certificate) 

To
LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.: 

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

	 	 	 
	
 (Please print name and address)
	

 	
 	

 
	

	

 	
 	

 
	Dated:	 	 
	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	
 Signature
	(Signature must conform to holder specified on Right Certificate)

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. 

Form
of Reverse Side of Right Certificate—continued 

	 	 	 
	
 (To be completed)

    The
undersigned certifies that the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are not beneficially owned by, and were not acquired by the undersigned from, an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as defined in the Rights Agreement). 

	 	 	 
	

 	
 	

 
	 	 	
 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 B–4

  

 
 

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 (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) OR IS AN
AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON AND CERTAIN TRANSFEREES THEREOF WILL BECOME NULL AND VOID AND WILL NO LONGER BE TRANSFERABLE. 

SUMMARY
OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE

SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK OF

LTC HEALTHCARE, INC. 

    On
November 8, 2001, the Board of Directors of LTC HEALTHCARE, INC. (the "Company") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each
outstanding share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The dividend is payable on November 19, 2001 (the "Record Date") to the stockholders of record
on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredths of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.001
per share (the "Preferred Stock"), of the Company at a price of four dollars ($4.00) per one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of November 9, 2001, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company
and COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES, LLC, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"). 

    Until
the earlier to occur of (i) ten days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or that an Acquiring Person which beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of
November 9, 2001 has acquired more than 10,000 additional shares (the "Permitted Limit") or (ii) ten business days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of
Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to or in excess of the Permitted Limit (the earlier
of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the
Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Stock certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such Common Stock certificate together with a copy of this Summary of Rights. 

    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 notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any certificates for
shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights, will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the shares of
Common Stock represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to holders of
record of the 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. The Rights will expire on November 9, 2011 (the "Final Expiration Date"), unless the Final Expiration Date is
extended or unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below. 

Exhibit C–1

 

    The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of 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 Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of the
Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the
then-current market price of the Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic
cash dividends or dividends payable in 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 Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be redeemable. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled, when, as and if declared, to a minimum
preferential quarterly dividend payment of $.10 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate dividend of 100 times the dividend declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the
holders of the Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $100 per share (plus any
accrued but unpaid dividends) but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will have 100 votes, voting together
with the Common Stock. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged, each share of Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. These rights are protected by customary antidilution provisions. 

    In
the event that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring
Person and their Affiliates and Associates (which will thereupon become void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise of a Right at the then-current exercise price of the
Right, that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. 

    In
the event that, after a person or group has become an Acquiring Person, 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 an unexercised Right (other than Rights beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person and their
Affiliates and Associates which will have become void) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then-current exercise price of the 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 has a market value of two times the exercise
price of the Right. 

    At
any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior to the earlier of one of the events described in the previous paragraph or the acquisition by such person
or group of 50% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become
void), in whole or in part, for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (or a series of the Company's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and privileges), at an exchange ratio of
one share of Common Stock, or a fractional share of Preferred Stock (or other preferred stock) equivalent in value thereto, per Right. 

    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 Preferred Stock will be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the Company,
be evidenced by depositary 

Exhibit C–2

 

receipts), and in lieu thereof an adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise. 

    At
any time prior to the time an Acquiring Person becomes such, the Board of Directors of the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right
(the "Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the Board of Directors 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 in any manner. After the Rights are no longer redeemable,
the Company may, except with respect to the redemption price, amend the Rights in any manner that does not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights. 

    Until
a Right is exercised, 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. 

    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 dated
November 13, 2001. 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. 

Exhibit C–3

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EXHIBIT 4.1

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Exhibit A

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION of SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK of LTC HEALTHCARE, INC. Pursuant to Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

Exhibit B Form of Right Certificate

Right Certificate LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT

FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

Exhibit CPrepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

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EXHIBIT 4.3    
  

 
  CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION of
  SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
  of LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.    
  

Pursuant to Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes  

    LTC HEALTHCARE, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 78.1955 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY: 

    That
pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the said Corporation, the
said Board of Directors on November 8, 2001 adopted the following resolution creating a series of 400,000 shares of Preferred Stock designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock": 

    RESOLVED,
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
a series of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares thereof and the voting and other powers, preferences
and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are as follows: 

 
 

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock    
  

    1.  Designation and Amount.  There shall be a series of Preferred Stock that shall be designated as
"Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock," and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 400,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the
Board of
Directors; provided, however, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series A 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. 

    2.  Dividends and Distribution. 

    (A) Subject
to the prior and superior rights of the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of shares of any class or
series of stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 1st day of 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $.10 or (b) the
Adjustment Number (as defined below) times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 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 or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the immediately preceding Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock. The "Adjustment Number" shall initially be 100. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after November 19, 2001 (the
"Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any dividend on 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, 

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. 

    (B) The
Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) above
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock). 

    (C) Dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating 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 pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix
a record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which
record date shall be no more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof. 

    3.  Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall
have the following voting rights: 

    (A) Each
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the Adjustment Number on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. Holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred shall vote together with the Common Stock. 

    (B) Except
as required by law and by Section 10 hereof, holders of Series A Junior Participating 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. 

    4.  Certain Restrictions. 

    (A) Whenever
quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2
are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall
have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not 

    (i)  declare
or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; 

    (ii) declare
or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) with the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Junior Participating 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 

    (iii) purchase
or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity
with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or to such holders and holders of any such shares ranking on a parity therewith, 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 in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the
respective series or classes. 

    (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 (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner. 

    5.  Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A Junior Participating 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 become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to any conditions and
restrictions on issuance set forth herein. 

    6.  Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. 

    (A) Upon
any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock ranking
junior (upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall have received an amount per share (the "Series A Liquidation Preference") equal to the greater of (i) $100, plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, or (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. 

    (B) In
the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the liquidation
preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, that rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably
to the holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. 

    (C) Neither
the merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another corporation nor the merger or consolidation of any other corporation 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 6. 

    7.  Consolidation, Merger, Etc.  In case the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger,
combination or other transaction in which the 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 A Junior Participating 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. 

    8.  No Redemption.  Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall not be subject
to redemption by the Company. 

    9.  Ranking.  The Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other
series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, unless the terms of any such series shall provide
otherwise, and shall rank senior to the Common Stock as to such matters. 

    10. Amendment.  At any time that any shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. 

    11. Fractional Shares.  Series A Junior Participating 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 A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. 

    IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate this 9th day of November, 2001. 

	 	 	 	 
	 	 	LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	

 
	 	 	By:	/s/ Wendy L. Simpson

	 	 	Name:	Wendy L. Simpson

	 	 	Title:	Executive Vice President & CFO

	

 	
 	

 	

 

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EXHIBIT 4.3

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION of SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK of LTC HEALTHCARE, INC.

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock

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