Memorandum of Understanding for Settlement of Class and Derivative Actions Regarding Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. Merger
This Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement between Broadbased Equities, Henry James Steward, JR Garrett Trust (plaintiffs), and various defendants including Buckeye GP Holdings L.P., BGH GP Holdings LLC, MainLine Management LLC, ArcLight Capital Partners, Kelso & Company, Buckeye Partners LP, Buckeye GP LLC, and Grand Ohio, LLC. The agreement outlines the settlement terms for consolidated class and derivative lawsuits challenging the merger of Grand Ohio with Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. and related disclosures. The parties agree in principle to settle the litigation, subject to certain conditions and court approval.
BROADBASED EQUITIES, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated and also derivatively on behalf of Buckeye GP Holdings L.P., Plaintiff, v. | IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS 129th JUDICIAL DISTRICT | |
FORREST E. WYLIE, CHRISTOPHER L. COLLINS, JOHN F. ERHARD, JOSEPH A. LASALA, JR., FRANK J. LOVERRO, FRANK S. SOWINSKI, ROBB E. TURNER, MARTIN A. WHITE, BGH GP HOLDINGS, LLC, AND MAINLINE MANAGEMENT, LLC, Defendants, v. BUCKEYE GP HOLDINGS L.P., Nominal Defendant. |
2
3
(i) | According to the Registration Statement, projections were provided to the Buckeye Audit Committee in March 2010 and the BGH Board in April 2010 and were based on management assumptions as of the dates of their preparation and have not been updated since that time. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose whether the projections provided to the Buckeye Audit Committee and to the BGH Board were the same projections or were prepared on different dates. The Broadbased Complaint further alleged that if they were not the same, then the Registration Statement was deficient because it (a) disclosed only one set of financial projections and (b) did not specify the date on which it was prepared. | ||
(ii) | According to the Registration Statement, during late 2009 and early 2010, Buckeyes senior management, along with its Board and Board of BGH, discussed ways of reducing Buckeyes cost of equity capital. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of these discussions. |
4
(iii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on March 8, 2010, Buckeyes Audit Committee discussed potential issues regarding any third party bid that may arise for either Buckeye, BGH, or both. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the potential issues discussed at that meeting regarding third party bids. | ||
(iv) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on April 14, 2010, the BGH Board discussed the possible timing, nature and content of a proposed response to the April 13th proposal, noting that the proposed exchange ratio of .65 was insufficient. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the basis for this determination and (b) any discussion had regarding what exchange rate would be sufficient. | ||
(v) | According to the Registration Statement, on April 26, 2010, members of the BGH Board and representatives from Credit Suisse and Latham & Watkins attended a presentation by Buckeye GPs senior management regarding the business and prospects of Buckeye and the strategic rationale for, and financial implications of, the acquisition of BGH by Buckeye. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of this presentation. | ||
(vi) | According to the Registration Statement, at meetings on April 28, 2010 and May 24, 2010, Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed with the BGH Board its updated preliminary financial analyses with respect to BGH, Buckeye and the proposed transaction. Also, at the April 28, 2010 meeting, the BGH Board discussed the pro forma effects of the proposed transaction. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the updated preliminary financial analyses of Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed at both meetings and (b) the pro forma effects of the proposed transaction that were discussed at the April 28, 2010 meeting. | ||
(vii) | According to the Registration Statement, on May 7, 2010, as directed by the BGH Board and the Buckeye Audit Committee, respectively, Credit Suisse and Barclays met to discuss certain aspects of the April 13, 2010 proposal and BGHs counterproposal and the financial assumptions underlying both proposals. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of these discussions. | ||
(viii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on May 18, 2010, the Buckeye Audit Committee discussed with its advisors possible transaction terms, including the likelihood of a third party bid for BGH, |
5
Buckeye, or both. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the discussions regarding third party bids. | |||
(ix) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on May 25, 2010, the BGH Board discussed, among other things, the pro forma consequences of the proposed transaction, an increase in the exchange ratio, whether BGH should have an affirmative right to shop itself after signing a definitive agreement, the universe of potential buyers for BGH and whether BGH should be able to respond to unsolicited written proposals after signing a definitive agreement. Following those discussions, the BGH Board decided to counter with a proposed exchange ratio of 0.715. The BGH Board directed the Transaction Committee to (1) continue resisting exclusivity prior to signing a definitive agreement, (2) accept limitations on BGHs ability to affirmatively shop itself after the signing of a definitive agreement, (3) retain the right to respond to unsolicited written proposals, (4) accept the proposal regarding post-closing governance, and (5) emphasize the importance of promptly executing a definitive agreement. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the discussions that led to these determinations. | ||
(x) | According to the Registration Statement, on May 27, 2010, the BGH Board discussed, among other things, the likelihood of competing proposals. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the conclusion reached by the BGH Board regarding the likelihood of competing proposals and the rationale supporting that conclusion. | ||
(xi) | According to the Registration Statement, on June 10, 2010, BGHs Transaction Committee gave its recommendation regarding drafts of the merger agreement and certain related agreements and other documents, and the merger to the BGH Board. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the BGH Transaction Committees recommendation. | ||
(xii) | According to the Registration Statement, in its Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Credit Suisse calculated the net present value of BGH and Buckeye levered free cash flows using BGHs and Buckeyes management forecasts, respectively. In performing this analysis, Credit Suisse applied discount rates ranging from 7.00% to 9.25% for BGH and 6.50% and 8.25% for Buckeye and terminal yield ranges of 5.0% to 6.0% for BGH and 6.5% to 7.0% for Buckeye based on the selected companies analysis to calculate an implied exchange ratio reference range. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the methodology used to derive the |
6
discount rate ranges and terminal yield ranges from the Selected Companies Analysis. | |||
(xiii) | According to the Registration Statement, in its Selected Transactions Analysis, Credit Suisse applied multiple ranges based on the Selected Transactions Analysis to corresponding financial data for BGH and applied multiple ranges based on the Selected Companies Analysis to corresponding financial data for Buckeye to calculate an implied exchange ratio reference range. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) which multiple ranges from the Selected Transactions Analysis and the Selected Companies Analysis were used to calculate the implied exchange ratio reference range and (b) the type of consideration and the value of each transaction. | ||
(xiv) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse and its affiliates may acquire, hold or sell, for Credit Suisses and its affiliates own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of BGH, Buckeye and any other company that may be involved in the merger, as well as provide investment banking and other financial services to such companies. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the extent of Credit Suisses and its affiliates interests in BGH, Buckeye, or any other company involved in the merger. | ||
(xv) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse will receive a customary fee for its services, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. Credit Suisse also became entitled to receive a fee upon the rendering of its opinion. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the value of the fees to be paid to Credit Suisse, including the amount of fees which is contingent upon the consummation of the Sale Agreement. | ||
(xvi) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse and its affiliates have in the past provided investment banking and other financial services to BGH, Buckeye, and certain of their affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received compensation, including, during the last two years, having acted as a co-managing underwriter of an offering of debt securities by Buckeye. Credit Suisse and its affiliates may have provided other financial advice and services, and may in the future provide financial advice and services, to BGH, Buckeye, and their respective affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received, and would expect to receive, compensation. The Broadbased Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to |
7
disclose (a) the affiliates of BGH and Buckeye to which Credit Suisse has provided services, (b) the amount of fees that Credit Suisse has received for services it has provided to BGH, Buckeye, and their respective affiliates, (c) the amount of fees that Credit Suisse has an expectation of receiving for future services provided to BGH, Buckeye, and their affiliates, (d) to the extent that Credit Suisse has provided services to Kelso, ArcLight, or MainLine, the amount of fees received therefrom, and (e) to the extent that Credit Suisse expects to provide services to Kelso, ArcLight, or MainLine, the amount of fees expected to be received therefrom. |
(i) | The Registration Statement stated that management of Buckeye Partnership GP and Buckeye Holdings GP prepared projections that included expected future financial and operating performance for BPL on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis giving effect to the proposed Merger. However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that these projections were not disclosed. | ||
(ii) | The Registration Statement stated that the stand alone and combined projections were provided to the BPL Audit Committee and the BGH Board and they were revised to reflect certain assumptions of the Partnership Audit Committee and the Holdings Board. However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose what the revisions were (i.e. were they higher or lower than managements projections) or why they made said revisions. | ||
(iii) | The Registration Statement stated that the stand-alone and combined projections were provided to Barclays Capital Inc. (Barclays) and Credit Suisse for use in connection with the preparation of their opinions to the Partnership Audit Committee and the Holdings Board, respectively, and related financial advisory services. However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged it was not disclosed whether Credit Suisse was provided with the revised projections, the original projections, or both. | ||
(iv) | The Registration Statement also stated that Barclays prepared adjusted projections in conducting its financial analyses but the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose what adjustments were made to managements undisclosed projections (i.e. were they higher or lower than managements projections) and to which set of projections. | ||
(v) | Although the Registration Statement disclosed BPLs Total Distributable Cash Flow for 2011-2014, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did |
8
not disclose how much BPL expects to actually distribute to its LP unitholders, nor did it disclose expected sales revenues or Earning Before Interest Tax & Depreciation (EBITDA), so that BGH unitholders could properly value BGHs incentive distribution rights. Moreover, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that Registration Statement did not disclose whether the Total Distributable Cash Flow projections are based on the revised projections or the original projections. | |||
(vi) | The Registration Statement disclosed summaries of the financial analyses conducted by Credit Suisse and Barclays; however, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose if Credit Suisse and Barclays relied upon the revised or original projections in performing their analyses, in particular with respect to their discounted cash flow analyses. | ||
(vii) | Moreover, the Registration Statement stated that BPL and BGH will not make publicly available any update or other revisions to projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date of the projections. However, the JRG Complaint alleged that Defendants cannot withhold information that is material to the vote on the Merger. The JRG Complaint alleged that it was important that BGHs public unitholders are informed of any material changes to the projections in the form of, at least, a supplemental public filing by Defendants so that they could make an informed vote on the Merger. Moreover, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that any material changes in the projections raises questions as to the continued adequacy of Credit Suisses and Barclays fairness opinions. | ||
(viii) | The Registration Statement stated that the Board interviewed Credit Suisse to serve as financial advisor to BGH in connection with the Merger and retained Credit Suisse because of its knowledge and experience with respect to M&A transactions and the energy industry generally, as well as Credit Suisses experience advising MLPs and other companies with respect to transactions similar to the proposed transaction... However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose if Credit Suisse was the only firm considered by the BGH Board, and if it was, why other firms were not interviewed. | ||
(ix) | Although the Registration Statement disclosed that Credit Suisse provided investment banking and other financial services to BGH, BPL and certain of their affiliates, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose the amount of fees it received as a result of these services. More importantly, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged it did not disclose the amount of fees that Credit Suisse has received, or will receive, as a result of its services in connection with the Merger, including the services provided in connection with its fairness opinion. The JR Garrett Complaint alleged that this is very important material information required to determine whether or not Credit Suisses fairness opinion is reliable or |
9
was bought and paid for. With respect to Barclays, the Registration Statement disclosed the amount of fees it received for past services to Defendants but the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose the amount of fees that it received, or will receive, for its services in connection with the Merger. | |||
(x) | The Registration Statement stated that [i]n performing its evaluation analysis, Barclays has analyzed data under four different Partnership operating and financial scenarios... which were based on BPLs Long-Term Plan. However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose what the Long Term Plan is and if it was different from the Base Case financial scenario or managements projections. | ||
(xi) | The Registration Statement stated Barclays performed a discounted cash flow analysis of projected free cash flows to each of the Partnership and Holdings for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2014. For Cases I [Base Case], II [No Acquisitions] and III [Downside], Barclays assumed discount rates ranging from 10% to 12%. For Case IV [Upside], Barclays assumed discount rates ranging from 11% to 13%. However, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose how Barclays arrived at its assumed discount rate ranges, why Barclays used a different discount rate for Case IV, and why it used a higher discount rate range for the Upside case and not a lower range for the Downside case. | ||
(xii) | In further connection with Barclays discounted cash flow analysis, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose what yields were implied by Barclays terminal multiple assumptions and why Barclays used different terminal multiples for Case IV. | ||
(xiii) | In connection with Barclays Comparable Company Analysis, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose the screening and selection criteria Barclays used to select public company samples for both BGH and BPL or the company-by-company pricing multiples. | ||
(xiv) | In connection with Barclays Comparable Transaction Analysis, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose transaction-by-transaction pricing multiples for both samples (i.e., the sample for BGH and the sample for BPL). | ||
(xv) | The JR Garrett Complaint alleged that Barclays Research Analyst Price Targets analysis did not disclose how many price targets were included in the samples, or whether or not they were all issued since the respective companies most recent financial disclosures, or are some based on older information. |
10
(xvi) | The JR Garrett Complaint alleged that Barclays Premiums Paid Analysis did not disclose how the transactions were screened, the transaction-by-transaction premiums, or why the sample size was smaller and differed from Credit Suisses samples. Moreover, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose whether or not any of the samples were intentionally excluded by Barclays. | ||
(xvii) | In connection with the Selected Companies Analysis performed by Credit Suisse, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose why the sample of selected companies chosen by Credit Suisse differed from Barclays sample. Moreover, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that it did not disclose the screening and selection criteria Credit Suisse used to select public company samples for both BGH and BPL, or the company-by-company pricing multiples. | ||
(xviii) | The JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose why Credit Suisses discount rate ranges are materially different than Barclays and why Barclays uses terminal multiples, whereas Credit Suisse calculated terminal values by using exit-yield assumptions. | ||
(xix) | In connection with the Selected Transactions Analysis performed by Credit Suisse, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose why Credit Suisses sample differs substantially from (and is smaller than) Barclays sample, nor did it disclose the selection criteria and transaction-by-transaction pricing multiples. | ||
(xx) | In connection with the Premiums Paid Analysis performed by Credit Suisse, the JR Garrett Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement did not disclose how the transactions were screened, the transaction-by-transaction premiums, why the sample size was smaller than Barclays, and whether or not any samples were intentionally excluded. |
(i) | With regard to Barclayss Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to provide any definition of free cash flow used in this analysis. This information is necessary to determine how free cash flow compares to distributable cash flow. |
11
b) | There was no disclosure in the Registration Statement of the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the discount rate ranges used in each of the 4 cases, for each company. | ||
c) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the terminal multiples used in each of the 4 cases, for each company. | ||
d) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose the process, assumptions and methodologies used to determine the value of $4.6mm for the 80,000 Partnership LP Units held by Holdings. |
(ii) | With regard to Barclayss Comparable Company Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to provide any explanation for the lack of control premium being added to get an implied value of Holdings. | ||
b) | The Registration Statement failed to provide any explanation as to why Holdings and Partnership were valued using different multiples (Holdings valued using multiples of distributable cash flow, distributions, and yield, but Partnership was valued using multiples of EBITDA, last quarter annualized cash distribution yield and distributable cash flow yield). |
(iii) | With regard to Barclayss Comparable Transaction Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose why a Comparable Transaction Analysis was performed on Partnership, even though there was no change of control contemplated by the Proposed Transaction. | ||
b) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose why Holdings and Partnership were valued using different multiples (Holdings valued using multiples of LTM distributable cash flow, 1-yr forward distributable cash flow, and latest quarter annualized distributions, but Partnership was valued using multiples of LTM EBITDA, LTM EBIT, LTM distributable cash flow, LTM net income). |
12
(iv) | With regard to Credit Suisses Selected Companies Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose why no control premium was added to get an implied value of Holdings. | ||
b) | There was no disclosure in the Registration Statement of the actual multiples selected and applied to Holdings or Partnership. | ||
c) | There was no disclosure in the Registration Statement of the individually concluded values for Holdings and Partnership. |
(v) | With regard to Credit Suisses Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose the definition of levered free cash flow used. | ||
b) | The methodologies and assumptions used to determine the appropriate discount rates were not disclosed in the Registration Statement. | ||
c) | There was no disclosure in the Registration Statement of the individually concluded values for Holdings and Partnership. |
(vi) | With regard to Credit Suisses Selected Transactions Analysis, the Steward Complaint alleged as follows: |
a) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose the actual multiples selected and applied to either Holdings or Partnership. There was no disclosure of which multiples from the Selected Companies Analysis were applied to Partnership, or how they differed from the multiples that were applied under the Selected Companies Analysis. | ||
b) | The Registration Statement failed to disclose the individually concluded values for Holdings and Partnership. |
(vii) | The Steward Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement failed to disclose the fees that the financial advisors will be receiving. Specifically, the Registration Statement stated that Barclays will receive a customary fee, a portion of which was paid upon rendering their opinion, and a substantial portion of which is contingent upon consummation. The Steward Complaint alleged that the specific amounts of the total fee and |
13
the contingent portion were not disclosed. According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse will receive a customary fee, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon consummation. The Steward Complaint alleged that the specific amounts of the total fee and the contingent portion are not disclosed. Also, the Steward Complaint alleged that the amount of fees earned by Credit Suisse for acting as a co-managing underwriter of an offering of debt securities by the Partnership were not disclosed. |
14
i) | The Registration Statement stated that management of Buckeye GP and BGH prepared projections that included expected future financial and operating performance for BPL on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis giving effect to the proposed Merger. However, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that Registration Statement was deficient because it disclosed only one set of financial projections. | ||
ii) | The Registration Statement stated that the stand alone and combined projections were provided to the BPL Audit Committee and the BGH Board and they were revised to reflect certain assumptions of the BPL Audit Committee and the BGH Board. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) what the revisions were (i.e. were they higher or lower than managements projections) and (b) why they made said revisions. | ||
iii) | The Registration Statement stated that the stand-alone and combined projections were provided to Barclays and Credit Suisse for use in connection with the preparation of their opinions to the BPL Audit Committee and the BGH Board, respectively, and related financial advisory services. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose whether Credit Suisse was provided with the revised projections, the original projections, or both. | ||
iv) | The Registration Statement also stated that Barclays prepared adjusted projections in conducting its financial analyses. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) what adjustments were made to managements undisclosed projections (i.e. were they higher or lower than managements projections) and (b) to which set of projections the adjustments were made. | ||
v) | According to the Registration Statement, projections were provided to the BPL Audit Committee in March 2010 and the BGH Board in April 2010 and were based on management assumptions as of the dates of their preparation and have not been updated since that time. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose whether the projections provided to the BPL Audit Committee and the BGH Board were the same projections or were |
15
prepared on different dates. If they were not the same, then the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it (a) discloses only one set of financial projections and (b) does not specify the date on which it was prepared. | |||
vi) | According to the Registration Statement, during late 2009 and early 2010, BPLs senior management, along with its Board and the Board of BGH, discussed ways of reducing BPLs cost of equity capital. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of these discussions. | ||
vii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on March 8, 2010, BPLs Audit Committee discussed potential issues regarding any third party bid that may arise for either BPL, BGH, or both. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the potential issues discussed at this meeting regarding third party bids. | ||
viii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on April 14, 2010, the BGH Board discussed the possible timing, nature and content of a proposed response to the April 13th proposal, noting that the proposed exchange ratio of .65 was insufficient. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the basis for this determination and (b) any discussion had regarding what exchange rate would be sufficient. | ||
ix) | According to the Registration Statement, on April 26, 2010, members of the BGH Board and representatives from Credit Suisse and Latham & Watkins attended a presentation by Buckeye GPs senior management regarding the business and prospects of BPL and the strategic rationale for, and financial implications of, the acquisition of BGH by BPL. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of this presentation. | ||
x) | According to the Registration Statement, at meetings on April 28, 2010 and May 24, 2010, Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed with the BGH Board its updated preliminary financial analyses with respect to BGH, BPL and the proposed transaction. Also, at the April 28, 2010 meeting, the BGH Board discussed the pro forma effects of the proposed transaction. The Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the updated preliminary financial analyses of Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed at both meetings and (b) the pro forma effects of the proposed transaction that were discussed at the April 28, 2010 meeting. | ||
xi) | According to the Registration Statement, on May 7, 2010, as directed by the BGH Board and the BPL Audit Committee, respectively, Credit Suisse |
16
and Barclays met to discuss certain aspects of the April 13, 2010 proposal and BGHs counterproposal and the financial assumptions underlying both proposals. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of these discussions. | |||
xii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on May 18, 2010, the BPL Audit Committee discussed with its advisors possible transaction terms, including the likelihood of a third party bid for BGH, BPL, or both. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the discussions regarding third party bids. | ||
xiii) | According to the Registration Statement, at a meeting on May 25, 2010, the BGH Board discussed, among other things, the pro forma consequences of the proposed transaction, an increase in the exchange ratio, whether BGH should have an affirmative right to shop itself after signing a definitive agreement, the universe of potential buyers for BGH and whether BGH should be able to respond to unsolicited written proposals after signing a definitive agreement. Following those discussions, the BGH Board decided to counter with a proposed exchange ratio of 0.715. The BGH Board directed the Transaction Committee to (1) continue resisting exclusivity prior to signing a definitive agreement, (2) accept limitations on BGHs ability to affirmatively shop itself after the signing of a definitive agreement, (3) retain the right to respond to unsolicited written proposals, (4) accept the proposal regarding post-closing governance, and (5) emphasize the importance of promptly executing a definitive agreement. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the discussions that led to these determinations. | ||
xiv) | According to the Registration Statement, on May 27, 2010, the BGH Board discussed, among other things, the likelihood of competing proposals. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the conclusion reached by the BGH Board regarding the likelihood of competing proposals and the rationale supporting that conclusion. | ||
xv) | According to the Registration Statement, on June 10, 2010, BGHs Transaction Committee gave its recommendation regarding drafts of the merger agreement and certain related agreements and other documents, and the merger to the BGH Board. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the substance of the BGH Transaction Committees recommendation. | ||
xvi) | According to the Registration Statement, in its Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Credit Suisse calculated the net present value of BGH and |
17
BPL levered free cash flows using BGHs and BPLs management forecasts, respectively. In performing this analysis, Credit Suisse applied discount rates ranging from 7.00% to 9.25% for BGH and 6.50% and 8.25% for BPL and terminal yield ranges of 5.0% to 6.0% for BGH and 6.5% to 7.0% for BPL based on its Selected Companies Analysis to calculate an implied exchange ratio reference range. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the definition of levered free cash flow used, (b) the methodologies and assumptions used to derive the discount rate ranges and terminal yield ranges from the Selected Companies Analysis, and (c) the individually concluded values for BGH and BPL. | |||
xvii) | According to the Registration Statement, one set of projections specified Total Distributable Cash Flow for 2011-2014. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) how much BPL expects to actually distribute to its LP unitholders, (b) expected sales revenues or Earnings Before Interest Tax & Depreciation (EBITDA), and (c) whether the Total Distributable Cash Flow projections are the revised projections or the original projections. | ||
xviii) | The Registration Statement provides summaries of the financial analyses conducted by Credit Suisse and Barclays. However, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose if Credit Suisse and Barclays relied upon the revised or original projections in performing their analyses, in particular with respect to their discounted cash flow analyses. | ||
xix) | The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because, according to the Registration Statement, BPL and BGH will not make publicly available any update or other revisions to projections to reflect circumstances existing after the date of the projections. | ||
xx) | According to the Registration Statement, in its Selected Transactions Analysis, Credit Suisse applied multiple ranges based on the Selected Transactions Analysis to corresponding financial data for BGH and applied multiple ranges based on the Selected Companies Analysis to corresponding financial data for BPL to calculate an implied exchange ratio reference range. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) which multiple ranges from the Selected Transactions Analysis and the Selected Companies Analysis were used to calculate the implied exchange ratio reference range, (b) the type of consideration and the value of each transaction, (c) why Credit Suisses sample differs substantially from (and is smaller than) Barclays sample, (d) the selection criteria and |
18
transaction-by-transaction pricing multiples, and (e) the individually concluded values for BGH and BPL. | |||
xxi) | According to the Registration Statement, in performing its evaluation analysis, Barclays analyzed data under four different BPL operating and financial scenarios, which were based on BPLs Long-Term Plan. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) what the Long Term Plan is and (b) if it was different from the Base Case financial scenario or managements projections. | ||
xxii) | Barclays performed a discounted cash flow analysis of projected free cash flows to each of [BPL] and [BGH] for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2014. For Cases I [Base Case], II [No Acquisitions] and III [Downside], Barclays assumed discount rates ranging from 10% to 12%. For Case IV [Upside], Barclays assumed discount rates ranging from 11% to 13%. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the definition of free cash flow used in this analysis, (b) how Barclays arrived at its assumed discount rate ranges, (c) why Barclays used a different discount rate for Case IV, and (d) why it used a higher discount rate range for the Upside case and not a lower range for the Downside case. | ||
xxiii) | In further connection with Barclays Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the methodologies and assumptions used to determine the terminal multiples, (b) what yields were implied by Barclays terminal multiple assumptions and (c) why Barclays used different terminal multiples for Case IV, and (d) the process, assumptions and methodologies used to determine the value of $4.6mm for the 80,000 BPL LP Units held by BGH. | ||
xxiv) | In connection with Barclays Comparable Company Analysis, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the screening and selection criteria Barclays used to select public company samples for both BGH and BPL, (b) the company-by-company pricing multiples, (c) transaction-by-transaction pricing multiples for both samples (i.e., the sample for BGH and the sample for BPL), (d) why Barclays did not add a control premium to get an implied value of BGH, and (e) why BGH and BPL were valued using different multiples (BGH was valued using multiples of distributable cash flow, distributions, and yield, but BPL was valued using multiples of EBITDA, last quarter annualized cash distribution yield and distributable cash flow yield). |
19
xxv) | In connection with Barclays Comparable Transactions Analysis, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) why this type of analysis was performed on BPL when there was no change of control contemplated by the Sale Agreement and (b) why BGH and BPL were valued using different multiples (BGH was valued using multiples of LTM distributable cash flow, 1-yr forward distributable cash flow, and latest quarter annualized distributions, but BPL was valued using multiples of LTM EBITDA, LTM EBIT, LTM distributable cash flow, LTM net income). | ||
xxvi) | In connection with Barclays Research Analyst Price Targets Analysis, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) how many price targets are included in the samples, and (b) whether they were all issued since the respective companies most recent financial disclosures, or whether some are based on older information. | ||
xxvii) | In connection with Barclays Premiums Paid Analysis, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) how the transactions were screened, (b) the transaction-by-transaction premiums, (c) why the sample size was smaller and differed from Credit Suisses samples, and (d) whether any samples were intentionally excluded by Barclays. | ||
xxviii) | In connection with the Premiums Paid Analysis performed by Credit Suisse, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) how the transactions were screened, (b) the transaction-by-transaction premiums, (c) why the sample size differed from that of Barclays, and (d) whether any samples were intentionally excluded. | ||
xxix) | In connection with the Selected Companies Analysis performed by Credit Suisse, the Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) why no control premium was added to get an implied value of BGH (b) why the sample of selected companies chosen by Credit Suisse differs from Barclays sample and (b) the screening and selection criteria Credit Suisse used to select public company samples for both BGH and BPL, (c) the actual multiples selected and applied to BGH or BPL, and (d) the individually concluded values for BGH and BPL. | ||
xxx) | The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) why Credit Suisses discount rate ranges are materially different than Barclays and (b) why Barclays uses terminal multiples, whereas Credit Suisse calculated terminal values by using exit-yield assumptions. |
20
xxxi) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse and its affiliates may acquire, hold or sell, for Credit Suisses and its affiliates own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of BGH, BPL and any other company that may be involved in the merger, as well as provide investment banking and other financial services to such companies. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the extent of Credit Suisses and its affiliates interests in BGH, BPL, or any other company involved in the merger. | ||
xxxii) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse will receive a customary fee for its services, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. Credit Suisse also became entitled to receive a fee upon the rendering of its opinion. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the value of the fees to be paid to Credit Suisse, including the amount of fees which is contingent upon the consummation of the Sale Agreement. | ||
xxxiii) | According to the Registration Statement, Barclays will receive a customary fee for its services, a portion of which was paid upon rendering its opinion and a substantial portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the proposed merger. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose the value of the fees to be paid to Credit Suisse, including the amount of fees which is contingent upon the consummation of the Sale Agreement. | ||
xxxiv) | According to the Registration Statement, Credit Suisse and its affiliates have in the past provided investment banking and other financial services to BGH, BPL, and certain of their affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received compensation, including, during the last two years, having acted as a co-managing underwriter of an offering of debt securities by BPL. Credit Suisse and its affiliates may have provided other financial advice and services, and may in the future provide financial advice and services, to BGH, BPL, and their respective affiliates for which Credit Suisse and its affiliates have received, and would expect to receive, compensation. The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose (a) the affiliates of BGH and BPL to which Credit Suisse has provided services, (b) the amount of fees that Credit Suisse has received for services it has provided to BGH, BPL, and their respective affiliates, (c) the amount of fees that Credit Suisse has an expectation of receiving for future services provided to BGH, BPL, and their affiliates, (d) to the extent that Credit Suisse has provided services to Kelso, ArcLight, or MainLine, the amount of fees received therefrom, and (e) to the extent that Credit Suisse expects |
21
to provide services to Kelso, ArcLight, or MainLine, the amount of fees expected to be received therefrom. | |||
xxxv) | According to the Registration Statement, the BGH Board interviewed Credit Suisse to serve as financial advisor to BGH in connection with the Merger and retained Credit Suisse because of its knowledge and experience with respect to M&A transactions and the energy industry generally, as well as Credit Suisses experience advising MLPs and other companies with respect to transactions similar to the proposed transaction... The Consolidated Complaint alleged that the Registration Statement was deficient because it failed to disclose if Credit Suisse was the only firm considered by the BGH Board, and if it was, why other firms were not interviewed. |
(i) | Defendants agreed to cooperate in jointly approaching the Court to schedule a hearing date for Plaintiffs temporary injunction motion to occur on or prior to November 9, 2010 (and no earlier than November 1, 2010), and Defendants represented that the sale of BGH to BPL or any of its affiliates will not be consummated before November 16, 2010, |
22
(ii) | Defendants agreed to produce the following documents to counsel for Plaintiffs by September 30, 2010: (a) all board and board committee minutes (board being defined as the board of Mainline from meetings where the Transaction or any alternative to the Transaction was discussed; (b) all documents and presentation materials provided to any MainLine Board member in conjunction with consideration of the Transaction or any alternative to the Transaction; (c) all formal communications (excluding email communications and materials subject to attorney-client privilege) between or among BGH, MainLine, any MainLine Board member, Credit Suisse, or other advisors to MainLine or BGH on the one hand and/or BPL (including Buckeye GP LLC or its board members) and/or any of its advisors on the other hand; (d) all agreements between any of the individual defendants and any entity defendant concerning (1) how the individuals BGH units will be voted in connection with the Transaction, or (2) the terms of the individuals employment with any entity defendant (to the extent those terms are not reflected in publicly available documents). | ||
(iii) | Defendants agreed to produce the following individuals for deposition by Plaintiffs (a) John F. Erhard, (b) Frank J. Loverro, (c) Frank S. Sowinski. and (d) a knowledgeable representative of Credit Suisse. Defendants also agreed that if there were relevant questions that any of those witnesses couldnt answer and it appeared that Forrest E. Wylie would have knowledge of their subject matter, then Plaintiffs may depose Mr. Wylie. | ||
(iv) | Plaintiffs agreed to produce the following documents to counsel for Defendants within seven days after the Rule 11 Agreement was fully executed: (a) documents sufficient to demonstrate that each of them owned BGH units continuously between June 11, 2010 and the present; (b) documents demonstrating any purchases or sales of BGH units in which they have engaged between June 11, 2010 and the present; (c) all documents relied upon in making their decision(s) to purchase or sell BGH units. | ||
(v) | Plaintiffs agreed that the following Plaintiffs would be made available for deposition by Defendants (a) a knowledgeable representative of the JR Garrett Trust, (b) Henry James Steward and (c) a knowledgeable representative of Broadbased Equities. | ||
(vi) | The parties agreed to a temporary injunction briefing schedule so that Plaintiffs Motion for a Temporary Injunction (the TI Motion) would be heard by the Court following discovery. |
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Interim Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs | Defendants Buckeye | |||
THE BRUALDI LAW FIRM, P.C. | Partners LP, Buckeye GP LLC, and Grand Ohio, LLC by their Counsel | |||
/s/ Richard B. Brualdi | MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS, LLP | |||
Richard B. Brualdi | /s/ Marc J. Sonnenfeld | |||
29 Broadway, Suite 2400 | Marc J. Sonnenfeld | |||
New York, New York 10006 | Timothy D. Katsiff | |||
Telephone: (212)  ###-###-#### | 1701 Market St. | |||
Facsimile: (212)  ###-###-#### | Philadelphia, PA 19103-2921 | |||
BULL & LIFSHITZ, LLP | Telephone: (215)  ###-###-#### Facsimile: (215)  ###-###-#### | |||
/s/ Joshua M. Lifshitz | ||||
Joshua M. Lifshitz | MORGAN, LEWIS & BOCKIUS, LLP | |||
18 East 41st Street | Winstol Carter, Jr. | |||
New York, New York 10017 | 1000 Louisiana St., Suite 4000 | |||
Telephone: (212)  ###-###-#### | Houston, Texas 7002-5006 | |||
Facsimile: (212)  ###-###-#### | Telephone: (713)  ###-###-#### | |||
FINKELSTEIN THOMPSON LLP | Facsimile: (713)  ###-###-#### | |||
/s/ Donald J. Enright | Defendants Forrest E. Wylie, | |||
Donald J. Enright | Christopher L. Collins, John F. | |||
1050 30th Street, N.W. | Erhard, Joseph A. LaSala, Jr., | |||
Washington, D.C. 20007 | Frank J. Loverro, Frank S. | |||
Telephone: (202)  ###-###-#### | Sowinski, Robb E. Turner, Martin A. | |||
Facsimile: (202)  ###-###-#### | White, Buckeye GP Holdings L.P., | |||
BGH GP Holdings, LLC, Mainline | ||||
Management LLC, ArcLight Capital | ||||
Partners, LLC, Kelso & Company by | ||||
their Counsel | ||||
LATHAM & WATKINS, LLP | ||||
/s/ Blair Connelly | ||||
Blair Connelly | ||||
885 Third Avenue | ||||
New York, New York 10022-4834 | ||||
Telephone: (212)  ###-###-#### | ||||
Facsimile: (212)  ###-###-#### Derrick B. Farrell |
35
LATHAM & WATKINS, LLP | ||||
555 Eleventh Street, NW, Suite 1000 | ||||
Washington, D.C. 20004-1304 | ||||
Telephone: (202)  ###-###-#### | ||||
Facsimile: (202)  ###-###-#### |
36