Description of the Common Stock of Neogen Corporation

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Stock Agreements
EX-4.3 2 neog-ex4_3.htm EX-4.3 EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

The following is a brief description of the common stock of Neogen Corporation (the “Company”). This summary does not purport to be complete in all respects and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended from time to time (the “Restated Articles”), and Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended from time to time (the “Restated Bylaws”), each of which are filed as exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this exhibit is a part.

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 315,000,000 shares of common stock and 100,000 shares of preferred stock.

 

Dividend and Liquidation Rights

 

Subject to the prior rights of the holders of shares of preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding, if any, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive:

 

•
dividends when, as, and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends; and

 

•
in the event of dissolution of the Company, to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and satisfaction of the liquidation preferences, if any, of then outstanding shares of preferred stock, as provided in the Restated Articles.

 

Voting Rights

 

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters presented to a vote at a shareholders meeting, including the election of directors. Holders of common stock have no cumulative voting rights.

 

The Company’s Restated Articles provide that the Company’s Board of Directors be divided into three classes of nearly equal size, with the classes to hold office for staggered terms of three years each.

 

The Company’s Restated Bylaws provide that directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at an election. The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that each incumbent nominee for director who does not receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast in any uncontested election of the shareholders must promptly offer to resign. The Company’s Governance Committee will make a recommendation on the resignation offer, and the Board must accept or reject the offer and publicly disclose its decision and rationale.

 

Listing

 

The Company’s common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “NEOG.”

 

Applicable Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

The Company’s Restated Articles and Restated Bylaws contain provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect. Some of the provisions also may make it difficult for shareholders to replace incumbent directors with new directors who may be willing to entertain changes that shareholders may believe will lead to improvements in the combined company’s business.

 

 

Other

 

All of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of common stock or other securities, and there are no conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to the Company’s common stock.

 

The transfer agent for the Company’s common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038.