Template:M summ Equity Derivatives 12.1(d)

If you’re like the JC you will be wondering how a single holder could acquire more than 100 per cent of the extant Shares of an Issuer. But, to an ISDA ninja, that is to rather miss the point. We are not talking about the practical, but the conceptually possible. Perhaps in a parallel universe, where normal rules of Euclidean geometry don’t apply. Or down a gravity well or something.

Sleep assured that, however conceptually difficult — logically difficult — such a feat might be, if someone does manage it then ISDA’s crack drafting squad™ has your — or her — back.

Actually, come to think of it, they don’t, because an acquisition of more than 100% would not count as a Tender Offer at all.

Eheu. I suppose we had all better hope and that normal rules of Euclidean geometry continue to apply for the time being.

Also, is not clear what is meant to happen if the Tender Offer relates to exactly 100 per cent of the outstanding Shares.

Mandatory GDR Conversion

Could you slip in a mandatory ADR or GDR conversion into this provision? you know, if a warring Eastern European govenment announced that local issuers of GDRs must forcibly exchange them for local Shares? We will have to hope so, because it is hard to see what other category of Extraordinary Event this would fit into.

Section 12.1(e) Tender Offer Date

For what its worth here is the definition of Tender Offer Date, in Section 12.1(e) in all its glory ...

12.1(e) “Tender Offer Date” means, in respect of a Tender Offer, the date on which voting shares in the amount of the applicable percentage threshold are actually purchased or otherwise obtained (as determined by the Calculation Agent).

...and in Nutshell™:

12.1(e) “Tender Offer Date” means, for a Tender Offer, the date the Calculation Agent determines on which the applicable percentage threshold of voting shares are actually purchased.

Not really much to see here, we think you will agree.