UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q
 

x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended May 6, 2006, or

 
o
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the transition period from _______ to ________.

 
Commission file number 1-10714
 
AUTOZONE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada
 
62-1482048
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(901) 495-6500
 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See the definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer x     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value - 74,294,451 shares outstanding as of May 31, 2006.




TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX 10.1 LONGO AGREEMENT
EX 10.2 GILES OFFER LETTER
EX 10.3 FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
EX 10.4 FOUR YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
EX 10.5 SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIVE YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT
EX.12.1 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
EX.15.1 LETTER FROM ERNST & YOUNG LLP
EX.31.1 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF PEO
EX.31.2 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF PFO
EX.32.1 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF PEO
EX.32.2 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF PFO
 
2



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
 
May 6,
2006
 
August 27,
2005
 
ASSETS
 
Current assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
83,968
 
$
74,810
 
Accounts receivable
   
102,600
   
118,263
 
Merchandise inventories
   
1,752,687
   
1,663,860
 
Other current assets
   
101,121
   
72,526
 
Total current assets
   
2,040,376
   
1,929,459
 
 
             
Property and equipment
             
Property and equipment
   
3,139,579
   
2,978,637
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization 
   
1,117,887
   
1,041,022
 
     
2,021,692
   
1,937,615
 
Other assets
             
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization
   
302,645
   
302,699
 
Deferred income taxes
    43,249      32,917  
Other long-term assets
   
34,957
   
42,567
 
     
380,851
   
378,183
 
   
$
4,442,919
 
$
4,245,257
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
             
Accounts payable
 
$
1,442,132
 
$
1,539,776
 
Accrued expenses
   
257,584
   
255,672
 
Income taxes payable 
   
150,482
   
4,753
 
Deferred income taxes
   
15,531
   
10,958
 
Total current liabilities 
   
1,865,729
   
1,811,159
 
               
Long-term debt
   
1,825,125
   
1,861,850
 
Other liabilities
   
183,520
   
181,241
 
Stockholders’ equity  
   
568,545
   
391,007
 
   
$
4,442,919
 
$
4,245,257
 
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3



AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Twelve Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
   
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
 
                 
Net sales
 
$
1,417,433
 
$
1,338,387
 
$
4,009,325
 
$
3,828,645
 
Cost of sales, including warehouse
                         
and delivery expenses
   
713,392
   
665,284
   
2,033,566
   
1,952,370
 
Operating, selling, general and
                         
administrative expenses
   
450,872
   
413,641
   
1,338,952
   
1,251,781
 
Operating profit
   
253,169
   
259,462
   
636,807
   
624,494
 
Interest expense, net 
   
24,921
   
24,223
   
72,994
   
69,659
 
Income before income taxes
   
228,248
   
235,239
   
563,813
   
554,835
 
Income taxes 
   
83,820
   
87,450
   
207,990
   
190,431
 
                           
Net income 
 
$
144,428
 
$
147,789
 
$
355,823
 
$
364,404
 
                           
Weighted average shares
                         
for basic earnings per share
   
75,909
   
78,521
   
76,427
   
79,308
 
Effect of dilutive stock equivalents 
   
674
   
973
   
643
   
1,061
 
Adjusted weighted average shares
                         
for diluted earnings per share
   
76,583
   
79,494
   
77,070
   
80,369
 
                           
Basic earnings per share 
 
$
1.90
 
$
1.88
 
$
4.66
 
$
4.59
 
Diluted earnings per share 
 
$
1.89
 
$
1.86
 
$
4.62
 
$
4.53
 
                           

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
4


AUTOZONE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

   
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities
         
Net income
 
$
355,823
 
$
364,404
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
             
cash provided by operating activities
             
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 
   
94,600
   
96,669
 
Deferred rent liability adjustment
   
--
   
21,527
 
Amortization of debt origination fees
   
1,047
   
1,829
 
Income tax benefit from exercise of options
   
(9,365
)
 
23,374
 
Income from warranty negotiations
   
--
   
(1,736
)
Share-based compensation expense
   
12,145
   
--
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
             
Accounts receivable 
   
15,663
   
(45,204
)
Merchandise inventories 
   
(88,827
)
 
(97,838
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 
   
(95,732
)
 
4,090
 
Income taxes payable 
   
155,094
   
61,658
 
Deferred income taxes 
   
(8,689
)
 
(38,890
)
Other, net 
   
4,532
   
13,628
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
436,291
   
403,511
 
 
             
Cash flows from investing activities
             
Capital expenditures
   
(182,168
)
 
(186,939
)
Purchase of marketable securities
   
(138,157
)
  --  
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
    121,367     --  
Acquisition
   
--
   
(3,116
)
Disposal of capital assets
   
2,456
   
3,679
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(196,502
)
 
(186,376
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities
             
Net proceeds (repayments) of commercial paper
   
115,300
   
(252,700
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
   
--
   
300,000
 
Repayment of Senior Notes
   
(150,000
)
 
--
 
Net proceeds from sale of common stock
   
35,250
   
45,212
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(238,111
)
 
(308,558
)
Income tax benefit from exercised options
   
9,365
   
--
 
Other, net 
   
(2,435
)
 
(563
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(230,631
)
 
(216,609
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
9,158
   
526
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
74,810
   
76,852
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 
 
$
83,968
 
$
77,378
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
5


AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note A-Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders for AutoZone, Inc. (“AutoZone” or the “Company”), which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 27, 2005.

Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 26, 2006. Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. Each of the fourth quarters of fiscal 2005 and 2006 has 16 weeks. Additionally, the Company’s business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the summer months of June through August and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.


Note B-Share-Based Payments

Effective August 28, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” and began recognizing compensation expense for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. Share-based payments include stock option grants and certain transactions under the Company’s other stock plans. SFAS 123(R) requires share-based compensation expense recognized since August 28, 2005, to be based on the following: a) grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” for unvested options granted prior to the adoption date; b) grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R) for unvested options granted subsequent to the adoption date; and c) the discount on shares sold to employees post-adoption, which represents the difference between the grant date fair value and the employee purchase price. Prior to August 28, 2005, the Company accounted for share-based payments using the intrinsic-value-based recognition method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and SFAS 123. As options were granted at an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, no stock-based employee compensation cost was reflected in net income prior to adopting SFAS 123(R). As the Company adopted SFAS 123(R) under the modified-prospective-transition method, results from prior periods have not been restated.

The adoption of SFAS 123(R)’s fair value method has resulted in additional share-based expense (a component of operating, selling and general and administrative expenses) in the amount of $3.9 million related to stock options and $287,000 related to share purchase plans for the twelve-week period ended May 6, 2006, than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. For the twelve-week period ended May 6, 2006, this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $4.2 million, lowered net income by $2.6 million, and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.03.

For the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006, the adoption of SFAS 123(R)’s fair value method has resulted in additional share-based expense (a component of operating, selling and general and administrative expenses) in the amount of $11.4 million related to stock options and $727,000 related to share purchase plans than if the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB 25. For the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006 this additional share-based compensation lowered pre-tax earnings by $12.1 million, lowered net income by $7.7 million, and lowered basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.10. SFAS 123(R) also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required prior to SFAS 123(R). For the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006, the $9.4 million excess tax benefit classified as a financing cash inflow would have been classified as an operating cash inflow if the Company had not adopted SFAS 123(R). The impact of adopting SFAS 123(R) on future results will depend on, among other things, levels of share-based payments granted in the future, actual forfeiture rates and the timing of option exercises.
 
6

AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had not adopted SFAS 123(R) and applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to options granted under the Company’s stock plans in all periods presented. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using Black-Scholes-Merton multiple option pricing model for all option grants.

   
Twelve Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
                   
Net income, as reported
 
$
144,428
 
$
147,789
 
$
355,823
 
$
364,404
 
Add: Share-based payments included in reported net income, net of related tax effects per SFAS 123(R)
   
2,634
   
--
   
7,664
   
--
 
Deduct: Total pro-forma stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects per SFAS 123 and APB 25
   
(2,472
)
 
(470
)
 
(5,134
)
 
(7,550
)
Pro forma net income
 
$
144,590
 
$
147,319
 
$
358,353
 
$
356,854
 
 
Earnings per share
                         
Basic - as reported
 
$
1.90
 
$
1.88
 
$
4.66
 
$
4.59
 
Basic - pro forma
 
$
1.90
 
$
1.87
 
$
4.69
 
$
4.50
 
                           
Diluted - as reported
 
$
1.89
 
$
1.86
 
$
4.62
 
$
4.53
 
Diluted - pro forma
 
$
1.89
 
$
1.85
 
$
4.65
 
$
4.44
 

Under SFAS 123(R) forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate. Under SFAS 123 and APB 25, the Company elected to account for forfeitures when awards were actually forfeited, at which time all previous proforma expense (which after-tax, approximated $239,000 in the twelve-week period and $3.5 million in the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006 and $3.3 million in the twelve week period and $3.8 million in the thirty-six week period ended May 7, 2005) was reversed to reduce pro forma expense for that period.

AutoZone grants options to purchase common stock to some of its employees and directors under various plans at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the dates the options were granted. Options have a term of 10 years or 10 years and one day from grant date. Director options generally vest three years from grant date. Employee options generally vest in equal annual installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date. Employees generally have 30 days after the employment relationship ends, or one year after death, to exercise all vested options. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date. The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The weighted average for key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted in the thirty-six-week period ended May 6, 2006 and a summary of the methodology applied to develop each assumption are as follows:
 

Expected price volatility
   
32
%
Risk-free interest rate
   
4.0
%
Weighted average expected lives in years
   
3.3
 
Forfeiture rate
   
10
%
Dividend yield
   
0
%

Expected Price Volatility - This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. We use actual historical changes in the market value of our stock to calculate the volatility assumption as it is management’s belief that this is the best indicator of future volatility. We calculate daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.
 
Risk-Free Interest Rate - This is the U.S. Treasury rate for the week of the grant having a term equal to the expected life of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
 
Expected Lives - This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. Options granted have a maximum term of ten years. An increase in the expected life will increase compensation expense.
 
Forfeiture Rate - This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or canceled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense.
 
7

AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Dividend Yield - The Company has not made any dividend payments nor does it have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.
 

The Company generally issues new shares when options are exercised. A summary of stock option activity since our most recent fiscal year end is as follows:
 
 
 
Options
 
Weighted Average
 Exercise Price
 
Outstanding August 27, 2005
   
3,837,486
 
$
65.87
 
Granted
   
705,595
   
82.32
 
Exercised
   
(664,444
)
 
55.53
 
Canceled
   
(448,207
)
 
75.26
 
Outstanding May 6, 2006
   
3,430,430
 
$
70.03
 

At May 6, 2006, the aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding options was $78.1 million with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 7.1 years, of which 1,536,694 of the outstanding options are currently exercisable with an aggregate intrinsic value of $54.2 million, a weighted average exercise price of $57.48 and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.6 years. Shares reserved for future option grants approximated 2.3 million at May 6, 2006. Since August 27, 2005, the weighted average grant date fair value of options granted is $22.67 and 608,224 options have vested, net of forfeitures, with a weighted average intrinsic value of $19.95. At May 6, 2006, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized was $21.6 million with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.4 years.

Under the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Stock Option Plan, on January 1 of each year, each non-employee director receives an option to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock, and each non-employee director that owns common stock worth at least five times the annual fee paid to each non-employee director on an annual basis will receive an additional option to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock. In addition, each new director receives an option to purchase 3,000 shares upon election to the Board of Directors, plus a portion of the annual directors’ option grant prorated for the portion of the year actually served in office. These stock option grants are made at the fair market value as of the grant date. At May 6, 2006, there were 79,617 outstanding options under the current and prior plans with 315,883 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the current plan.

Under the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan, a non-employee director may receive no more than one-half of their director fees immediately in cash, and the remainder of the fees must be taken in common stock or may be deferred in units with value equivalent to the value of shares of common stock as of the grant date. At May 6, 2006, the Company has $1.7 million accrued related to 18,289 director units issued under the current and prior plans with 88,374 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the current plan.

For the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006, the Company recognized $727,000 in expense related to the discount on the selling of shares to employees and executives under various share purchase plans. Under the Company’s share purchase plans for the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006, 40,161 shares were sold to employees and the Company repurchased, at fair value, 50,195 shares from employees electing to sell their stock. Issuances of shares under the share purchase plans are netted against repurchases and such repurchases are not included in share repurchases disclosed in “Note G - Stock Repurchase Program.” At May 6, 2006, 422,757 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the employee plan and 264,341 shares of common stock were reserved for future issuance under the executive plan.
 
There have been no modifications to the Company’s share-based compensation plans during the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006.


Note C- Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. Included in inventory are related purchasing, storage and handling costs. Due to price deflation on the Company’s merchandise purchases, the Company’s inventory balances are effectively maintained under the first-in, first-out method as the Company’s policy is not to write up inventory for favorable LIFO adjustments, resulting in cost of sales being reflected at the higher amount. The cumulative balance of this unrecorded adjustment, which would be reduced upon experiencing price inflation on our merchandise purchases, was $191 million at May 6, 2006, and $167 million at August 27, 2005.

AutoZone has entered into pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors, whereby AutoZone will not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to AutoZone’s customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to AutoZone’s customers. Since the Company does not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to AutoZone’s customers, AutoZone recognizes the liability for the goods and pays the vendor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. Although AutoZone does not hold title to the goods, AutoZone controls pricing and has credit collection risk and therefore, gross revenues under POS arrangements are included in net sales in the income statement. AutoZone has financed the repurchase of existing merchandise inventory by certain vendors in order to convert such vendors to POS arrangements. These receivables have remaining durations up to 17 months and approximated $19.9 million at May 6, 2006, and $49.9 million at August 27, 2005. The current portion of these receivables is reflected in accounts receivable and was $19.4 million at May 6, 2006, and $37.5 million at August 27, 2005. The long-term portion of $530,000 at May 6, 2006, and $12.4 million at August 27, 2005, is reflected as a component of other long-term assets. Merchandise under POS arrangements was $123.4 million at May 6, 2006, and $151.7 million at August 27, 2005.

8

AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 

Note D-Legal Proceedings

AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled "Coalition for a Level Playing Field, L.L.C., et al., v. AutoZone, Inc. et al.," filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in October 2004. The case was filed by more than 200 plaintiffs, which are principally automotive aftermarket warehouse distributors and jobbers (collectively “Plaintiffs”), against a number of defendants, including automotive aftermarket retailers and aftermarket automotive parts manufacturers. In the amended complaint the plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that some or all of the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants have knowingly received, in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act (the “Act”), from various of the manufacturer defendants benefits such as volume discounts, rebates, early buy allowances and other allowances, fees, inventory without payment, sham advertising and promotional payments, a share in the manufacturers' profits, benefits of pay on scan purchases, implementation of radio frequency identification technology, and excessive payments for services purportedly performed for the manufacturers. Additionally, a subset of plaintiffs alleges a claim of fraud against the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants based on discovery issues in a prior litigation involving similar Robinson-Patman Act claims. In the prior litigation, the discovery dispute, as well as the underlying claims, were decided in favor of AutoZone and the other automotive aftermarket retailer defendants who proceeded to trial, pursuant to a unanimous jury verdict which was affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In the current litigation, plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages (including statutory trebling), attorneys' fees, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the aftermarket retailer defendants from inducing and/or knowingly receiving discriminatory prices from any of the aftermarket manufacturer defendants and from opening up any further stores to compete with plaintiffs as long as defendants allegedly continue to violate the Act. The Company believes this suit to be without merit and is vigorously defending against it. Defendants have filed motions to dismiss all claims with prejudice on substantive and procedural grounds. Additionally, the Defendants have sought to enjoin plaintiffs from filing similar lawsuits in the future. If granted in their entirety, these dispositive motions would resolve the litigation in Defendants' favor.

On June 22, 2005, the Attorney General of the State of California, in conjunction with District Attorneys for San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Monterey Counties, filed suit in the San Bernardino County Superior Court against AutoZone, Inc. and its California subsidiaries. The San Diego County District Attorney later joined the suit. The lawsuit alleges that AutoZone failed to follow various state statutes and regulations governing the storage and handling of used motor oil and other materials collected for recycling or used for cleaning AutoZone stores and parking lots. The suit seeks $12.0 million in penalties and injunctive relief.

The Company currently, and from time to time, is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. Although the amount of liability that may result from these other proceedings cannot be ascertained, the Company does not currently believe that, in the aggregate, these matters will result in liabilities material to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
9

 
AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
Note E-Pension Plans

Prior to January 1, 2003, substantially all full-time employees were covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The benefits under the plan were based on years of service and the employee’s highest consecutive five-year average compensation. On January 1, 2003, the plan was frozen. Accordingly, pension plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the pension plan.

On January 1, 2003, the Company’s supplemental defined benefit pension plan for certain highly compensated employees was also frozen. Accordingly, plan participants will earn no new benefits under the plan formula and no new participants will join the supplemental pension plan.

The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost related to all of its pension plans for all periods presented are as follows:

   
Twelve Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
(in thousands)
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
 
                 
Interest cost
 
$
2,121
 
$
1,913
 
$
6,363
 
$
5,739
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(1,978
)
 
(1,871
)
 
(5,934
)
 
(5,613
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(145
)
 
(149
)
 
(435
)
 
(447
)
Amortization of net loss
   
1,303
   
231
   
3,909
   
693
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
1,301
 
$
124
 
$
3,903
 
$
372
 

The Company makes contributions in amounts at least equal to the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. During the thirty-six-week period ended May 6, 2006, the Company made approximately $6.2 million in contributions to the plan and expects to fund another $1.2 million to $3.5 million during the remainder of this fiscal year.


Note F-Financing Arrangements

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following:

 
(in thousands)
 
May 6,
2006
 
August 27,
2005
 
           
Bank Term Loan due December 2009, effective interest rate of 4.55%
 
$
300,000
 
$
300,000
 
5.875% Senior Notes due October 2012, effective interest rate of 6.33%
   
300,000
   
300,000
 
5.5% Senior Notes due November 2015, effective interest rate of 4.86%
   
300,000
   
300,000
 
4.75% Senior Notes due November 2010, effective interest rate of 4.17%
   
200,000
   
200,000
 
4.375% Senior Notes due June 2013, effective interest rate of 5.65%
   
200,000
   
200,000
 
6.5% Senior Notes due July 2008 
   
190,000
   
190,000
 
7.99% Senior Notes due April 2006 
   
--
   
150,000
 
Commercial paper, weighted average interest rate of 5.1% at
May 6, 2006, and 3.6% at August 27, 2005 
   
333,000
   
217,700
 
Other 
   
2,125
   
4,150
 
   
$
1,825,125
 
$
1,861,850
 
 
The Company maintains $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities with a group of banks to primarily support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. The $300 million credit facility that matured in May 2006 was replaced with a new $300 million credit facility expiring in May 2010. The $700 million credit facility that matures in May 2010 was amended so that all of the $1 billion in credit facilities have similar terms and conditions. These facilities may be increased to $1.3 billion at AutoZone’s election, allow up to $200 million in letters of credit, and allow up to $100 million in capital leases. As the available balance is reduced by commercial paper borrowings and certain outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $536.2 million in available capacity under these facilities at May 6, 2006. The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of Bank of America’s base rate or a Eurodollar rate (each as defined in the facility agreements), or a combination thereof.

During April 2006, the $150.0 million Senior Notes maturing at that time were repaid with an increase in commercial paper; and the $300.0 million bank term loan was amended to have similar terms and conditions as the $1.0 billion credit facilities, but with a December 2009 maturity.

Commercial paper and other short-term borrowings are all classified as long-term, as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance them on a long-term basis.

10

AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The Company’s borrowings under its Senior Notes arrangements contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under our other borrowing arrangements, covenants include limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a provision where repayment obligations may be accelerated if AutoZone experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of AutoZone or its Board of Directors. All of the repayment obligations under the Company’s borrowing arrangements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. As of May 6, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and expects to remain in compliance with all covenants.


Note G-Stock Repurchase Program

On March 22, 2006, the Board of Directors increased the Company’s cumulative share repurchase authorization from $4.4 billion to $4.9 billion. Considering cumulative repurchases as of May 6, 2006, the Company has $560.1 million remaining under this increased authorization to repurchase its common stock in the open market. From January 1, 1998 to May 6, 2006, the Company has repurchased a total of 89.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $4.3 billion; including 2,445,415 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $238.1 million during the thirty-six-week period ended May 6, 2006.


Note H-Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes foreign currency translation adjustments; the impact from certain derivative financial instruments designated and effective as cash flow hedges, including changes in fair value, as applicable, and the reclassification of gains and/or losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income to offset the earnings impact of the underlying items being hedged; and changes in the fair value of certain investments classified as available for sale. Comprehensive income for all periods presented is as follows:

   
Twelve Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
 
(in thousands)
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
May 6,
2006
 
May 7,
2005
 
 
                 
Net income, as reported
 
$
144,428
 
$
147,789
 
$
355,823
 
$
364,404
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
(5,446
)
 
2,001
   
(1,487
)
 
4,368
 
Net impact from derivative instruments
   
1,647
   
2,333
   
4,819
   
(1,447
)
Unrealized losses from marketable securities
   
(116
)
 
--
   
(253
)
 
--
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
140,513
 
$
152,123
 
$
358,902
 
$
367,325
 


Note I-Leases

During the fiscal quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company completed a detailed review of its accounting for rent expense and expected useful lives of leasehold improvements. The Company noted inconsistencies in the periods used to amortize leasehold improvements and the periods used to straight-line rent expense. The Company revised its policy to record rent for all operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods and the period of time prior to the lease term that the Company is in possession of the leased space for the purpose of installing leasehold improvements. Differences between recorded rent expense and cash payments are recorded as a liability in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities on the balance sheet. Additionally, all leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful life or the remainder of the lease term, including any reasonably assured renewal periods, in effect when the leasehold improvements are placed in service. During the quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company recorded an adjustment in the amount of $40.3 million pre-tax ($25.4 million after-tax), which included the impact on prior years, to reflect additional amortization of leasehold improvements and additional rent expense as if this new policy had always been followed by the Company. The impact of the cumulative adjustment on fiscal 2005 and any prior year is immaterial.

 
11

AUTOZONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note J-Income Taxes

During the fiscal quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company recorded a $15.3 million reduction to income tax expense primarily due to the American Jobs Creation Act (the “Act”). The Act was signed into law in October 2004 and provides an opportunity to repatriate foreign earnings, reinvest them in the United States, and claim an 85% dividend received deduction on the repatriated earnings provided certain criteria are met. During the fiscal quarter ended February 12, 2005, the Company determined that it met the criteria of the Act, and it decided to repatriate its accumulated foreign earnings through fiscal 2005, at which time approximated $36.7 million, from its Mexico subsidiaries. As the Company had previously recorded deferred income taxes on these amounts, the planned repatriation resulted in a one-time reduction to income tax expense.
12


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AutoZone, Inc.

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of May 6, 2006, the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the twelve and thirty-six week periods ended May 6, 2006 and May 7, 2005, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the thirty-six week periods ended May 6, 2006 and May 7, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of AutoZone, Inc. as of August 27, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, not presented herein, and, in our report dated October 19, 2005, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of August 27, 2005 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee
June 6, 2006

13


Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

We are the nation’s leading retailer of automotive parts and accessories, with most of our sales to do-it-yourself (“DIY”) customers. As of May 6, 2006, we operated 3,791 stores including 92 stores in Mexico and excluding 8 stores that remain closed as a result of hurricanes, compared with 3,578 stores including 73 stores in Mexico, at May 7, 2005. Each of our stores carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products. Many of our stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers and service stations. We also sell the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software. On the web, we sell diagnostic and repair information and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com. We do not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.

Operating results for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 26, 2006. Each of the first three quarters of our fiscal year consists of 12 weeks, and the fourth quarter consists of 16 or 17 weeks. Each of the fourth quarters of fiscal 2005 and 2006 has 16 weeks. Additionally, our business is somewhat seasonal in nature, with the highest sales generally occurring in the summer months of June through August and the lowest sales generally occurring in the winter months of December through February.


Twelve Weeks Ended May 6, 2006,
Compared with Twelve Weeks Ended May 7, 2005

Net sales for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, increased $79.0 million, or 5.9%, over net sales of $1.338 billion for the comparable prior year period. This increase in sales was primarily driven by sales from new stores as comparable store sales (sales for domestic stores opened at least one year) increased 2.1%. DIY sales increased 6.0%, commercial sales decreased 0.3% and combined sales from our ALLDATA and Mexico operations increased 28.3%.

Gross profit for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $704.0 million, or 49.7% of net sales, compared with $673.1 million, or 50.3% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. The decline in gross profit margin was primarily attributable to a higher penetration of commodity and maintenance items versus last year, which typically have lower margins. This was attributable in part due to a seasonally milder spring selling season. We have continued to be successful in working with our vendors to offer the right products at the right prices to our customers. This effort includes supply chain initiatives, tailoring merchandise mix, the continued implementation of our Good/Better/Best product lines, all allowing us to price our products appropriately and give our customers great value.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $450.9 million, or 31.8% of net sales, compared with $413.6 million, or 30.9% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. Expenses for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, include $4.2 million, or 0.3% of net sales, in share-based compensation expense resulting from the current year adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (see “Note B - Share-Based Payments”). The remaining increase in expenses is driven by higher occupancy costs and increased expenditures to improve the customer’s shopping experience. These initiatives continue to include expanded hours of operation, enhanced training programs and ensuring clean, well merchandised stores.
 
Interest expense, net for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $24.9 million compared with $24.2 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was due to higher average borrowing rates over the comparable prior year period. Average borrowings for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, were $1.904 billion, compared with $1.936 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 5.4% at May 6, 2006, and 5.0% at May 7, 2005.  

Our effective income tax rate was 36.7% of pretax income for the twelve weeks ended May 6, 2006, and 37.2% for the comparable prior year period. The actual annual rate for fiscal 2006 will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and source of operating income and the timing and nature of discrete income tax events. 

Net income for the twelve week period ended May 6, 2006, decreased by $3.4 million to $144.4 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 1.4% to $1.89 from $1.86 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on current quarter diluted earnings per share from the stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.06. 
 
14


Thirty-six Weeks Ended May 6, 2006,
Compared with Thirty-six Weeks Ended May 7, 2005 

Net sales for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, increased $180.7 million, or 4.7%, over net sales of $3.829 billion for the comparable prior year period. This increase in sales was primarily driven by sales from new stores as comparable store sales (sales for domestic stores opened at least one year) increased 1.1%. DIY sales increased 4.6%, commercial sales decreased 0.7% and combined sales from our ALLDATA and Mexico operations increased 28.3%.

Gross profit for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $1.976 billion, or 49.3% of net sales, compared with $1.876 billion, or 49.0% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. The improvement in gross profit margin was primarily attributable to ongoing category management initiatives, partially off-set by the third quarter’s increased penetration of commodity and maintenance items versus last year, which typically have lower margins. This was attributable in part due to a seasonally milder spring selling season. Our ongoing category management initiatives have included working with our vendors to offer the right products at the right prices to our customers. This effort includes supply chain initiatives, tailoring merchandise mix, the continued implementation of our Good/Better/Best product lines, all allowing us to price our products appropriately and give our customers great value.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $1.339 billion, or 33.4% of net sales, compared with $1.252 billion, or 32.7% of net sales, during the comparable prior year period. Expenses for the thirty-six weeks ended May 7, 2005, include a $40.3 million charge related to accounting for leases (see “Note I - Leases”). Expenses for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, include $12.1 million in share-based compensation expense resulting from the current year adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (see “Note B - Share-Based Payments”). The remaining increase in expenses is driven by higher occupancy costs and increased expenditures to improve the customer’s shopping experience. These initiatives continue to include expanded hours of operation, enhanced training programs and ensuring clean, well merchandised stores.
 
Interest expense, net for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, was $73.0 million compared with $69.7 million during the comparable prior year period. This increase was due to higher average borrowing rates over the comparable prior year period. Average borrowings for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, were $1.916 billion, compared with $1.948 billion for the comparable prior year period. Weighted average borrowing rates were 5.4% at May 6, 2006, and 5.0% at May 7, 2005.  

Our effective income tax rate was 36.9% of pretax income for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, and 34.3% for the comparable prior year period. The comparable prior year period’s effective income tax rate reflects $15.3 million in one-time tax benefits related to the repatriation of Mexican earnings as a result of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and other discrete income tax items (see “Note J - Income Taxes”). The actual annual rate for fiscal 2006 will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and source of operating income and the timing and nature of discrete income tax events. 

Net income for the thirty-six week period ended May 6, 2006, decreased by $8.6 million to $355.8 million, and diluted earnings per share increased by 1.8% to $4.62 from $4.53 in the comparable prior year period. The impact on current year diluted earnings per share from the stock repurchases since the end of the comparable prior year period was an increase of $0.17. 


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The primary source of our liquidity is our cash flows realized through the sale of automotive parts and accessories. For the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, our net cash flows from operating activities provided $436.3 million as compared with $403.5 million during the comparable prior year period. The year-over-year improvement in cash flows from operating activities is primarily due to changes in income tax accounts that are impacted by the timing and amounts of estimated income tax payments. Although changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses reduced operating cash flows this year, overall cash flows from operating activities continue to benefit from our inventory purchases being largely financed by our vendors, as evidenced by an 82% accounts payable to inventory ratio and the use of pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors. Under POS arrangements, we do not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to our customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to our customers. Since we do not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on our balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to our customer, we recognize the liability for the goods and pay the vendor in accordance with the agreed upon terms. Although we do not hold title to the goods, we control pricing and have credit collection risk and therefore, gross revenues under POS arrangements are included in net sales in the income statement. We have financed the repurchase of existing merchandise inventory by certain vendors in order to convert such vendors to POS arrangements. These receivables have remaining durations up to 17 months and approximated $19.9 million at May 6, 2006. The $19.4 million current portion of these receivables is reflected in accounts receivable and the $530,000 long-term portion is reflected as a component of other long-term assets at May 6, 2006. Merchandise under POS arrangements was $123.4 million at May 6, 2006.

Our net cash flows from investing activities for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, used $196.5 million as compared with $186.4 million used in the comparable prior year period. Capital expenditures for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, were $182.2 million compared to $186.9 million for the comparable prior year period. During this thirty-six week period, we opened 127 new stores including 11 new stores in Mexico. In the comparable prior year period, we opened 98 new stores, including 10 new stores in Mexico. We expect to invest in our business consistent with historical rates during fiscal 2006, primarily related to our new store development program and enhancements to existing stores and systems. Investing cash flows were also impacted in the current year by our wholly-owned insurance captive, which sold $121.4 million in short-term investments to partially fund the purchase of $138.2 million in marketable debt securities having longer maturities and higher yields. The holding of these investments, which approximated $56.6 million at May 6, 2006 and $40.2 million at August 27, 2005, is required by insurance regulations to fund the insurance reserves held in our wholly-owned insurance captive subsidiary. The Company has classified such investments as available for sale under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” as management may elect to sell such securities before the stated maturities to either fund insurance reserves or invest in other securities with more attractive yields. As such securities are available to support the insurance captive subsidiary’s operations, they have been classified as current assets in the May 6, 2006 condensed consolidated balance sheet despite the fact that many of the debt securities have a stated maturity of greater than one year as of May 6, 2006.

15

Our net cash flows from financing activities for the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, used $230.6 million compared to $216.6 million provided in the comparable prior year period. The current year reflects $115.3 million in net proceeds of commercial paper borrowings versus $252.7 million in net repayments from commercial paper in the comparable prior year period. The current year reflects $150.0 million in repayments of senior notes, while the comparable prior year period reflects $300.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of debt. Stock repurchases were $238.1 million in the current year as compared with $308.6 million in stock repurchases in the comparable prior year period. For the thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, proceeds from the sale of common stock and exercises of stock options provided $44.6 million, including $9.4 million in related tax benefits that are reflected in cash flows from financing activities. In the comparable prior year period, proceeds from the sale of common stock and exercises of stock options provided $68.6 million, including $23.4 million in related tax benefits that are reflected in cash flows from operating activities. At May 6, 2006, options to purchase 1.5 million shares were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of $57.48.

Depending on the timing and magnitude of our future investments (either in the form of leased or purchased properties or acquisitions), we anticipate that we will rely primarily on internally generated funds and available borrowing capacity to support a majority of our capital expenditures, working capital requirements and stock repurchases. The balance may be funded through new borrowings. We anticipate that we will be able to obtain such financing in view of our credit rating and favorable experiences in the debt market in the past.

At May 6, 2006, AutoZone had a senior unsecured debt credit rating from Standard & Poor’s of BBB+ and a commercial paper rating of A-2. Moody’s Investors Service had assigned us a senior unsecured debt credit rating of Baa2 and a commercial paper rating of P-2. As of May 6, 2006, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s had AutoZone listed as having a “negative” and “stable” outlook, respectively. On June 5, 2006, Moody’s upgraded AutoZone from a “negative” to a “stable” outlook. If our credit ratings drop, our interest expense may increase; similarly, we anticipate that our interest expense may decrease if our investment ratings are raised. If our commercial paper ratings drop below current levels, we may have difficulty continuing to utilize the commercial paper market and our interest expense will increase, as we will then be required to access more expensive bank lines of credit. If our senior unsecured debt ratings drop below investment grade, our access to financing may become more limited.

We maintain $1.0 billion of revolving credit facilities with a group of banks to primarily support commercial paper borrowings, letters of credit and other short-term unsecured bank loans. The $300 million credit facility that matured in May 2006 was replaced with a new $300 million credit facility expiring in May 2010. The $700 million credit facility that matures in May 2010 was amended so that all of the $1 billion in credit facilities will have the same terms and conditions, may be increased to $1.3 billion at AutoZone’s election, allow up to $200 million in letters of credit, and allow up to $100 million in capital leases. As the available balance is reduced by commercial paper borrowings and certain outstanding letters of credit, the Company had $536.2 million in available capacity under these facilities at May 6, 2006. The rate of interest payable under the credit facilities is a function of Bank of America’s base rate or a Eurodollar rate (each as defined in the facility agreements), or a combination thereof.

Our borrowings under our Senior Notes arrangements contain minimal covenants, primarily restrictions on liens. Under our other borrowing arrangements, covenants include limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on liens, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a provision where repayment obligations may be accelerated if AutoZone experiences a change in control (as defined in the agreements) of AutoZone or its Board of Directors. All of the repayment obligations under our borrowing arrangements may be accelerated and come due prior to the scheduled payment date if covenants are breached or an event of default occurs. As of May 6, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenants and expect to remain in compliance with all covenants.
 
On March 22, 2006, the Board of Directors increased the Company’s cumulative share repurchase authorization from $4.4 billion to $4.9 billion. Considering cumulative repurchases as of May 6, 2006, the Company has $560.1 million remaining under this increased authorization to repurchase its common stock in the open market. From January 1, 1998 to May 6, 2006, the Company has repurchased a total of 89.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of $4.3 billion; including 2,445,415 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $238.1 million during the thirty-six-week period ended May 6, 2006.
 
16


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In conjunction with our commercial sales program, we offer credit to some of our commercial customers. Certain of the receivables related to the credit program are sold to a third party at a discount for cash with limited recourse. We have established a reserve for this recourse. At May 6, 2006, the receivables facility had an outstanding balance of $53.3 million and the balance of the recourse reserve was approximately $2.2 million.

Since fiscal year end, we have issued additional and increased existing stand-by letters of credit that are primarily renewed on an annual basis to cover premium and deductible payments to our workers’ compensation carrier. Our total standby letters of credit commitment at May 6, 2006 was $131.1 million compared with $121.2 million at August 27, 2005, and our total surety bonds commitment at May 6, 2006, was $11.5 million compared with $13.4 million at August 27, 2005.

AutoZone has entered into pay-on-scan (“POS”) arrangements with certain vendors, whereby AutoZone will not purchase merchandise supplied by a vendor until just before that merchandise is ultimately sold to AutoZone’s customers. Title and certain risks of ownership remain with the vendor until the merchandise is sold to AutoZone’s customers. Since the Company does not own merchandise under POS arrangements until just before it is sold to a customer, such merchandise is not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Upon the sale of the merchandise to AutoZone’s customers, AutoZone recognizes the liability for the goods and pays the vendor in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. Although AutoZone does not hold title to the goods, AutoZone controls pricing and has credit collection risk and therefore, gross revenues under POS arrangements are included in net sales in the income statement. Sales of merchandise under POS approximated $86.0 million and $303.4 million for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 6, 2006, and $110.5 million and $298.5 million for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended May 7, 2005. Merchandise under POS arrangements was $123.4 million at May 6, 2006, and $151.7 million at August 27, 2005.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Refer to our Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2005, for a summary of our critical accounting policies. The only change to our critical accounting policies during fiscal 2006 has been to remove product warranties as a critical accounting policy due to the insignificance of the remaining warranty liability.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements typically use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” and similar expressions. These are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, competition; product demand; the economy; the ability to hire and retain qualified employees; consumer debt levels; inflation; weather; raw material costs of our suppliers; gasoline prices; war and the prospect of war, including terrorist activity; availability of commercial transportation; construction delays; access to available and feasible financing; and changes in laws or regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results; developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements, and such events could materially and adversely affect our business. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. Except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results. Please refer to the Risk Factors section contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2005, for more information related to those risks.
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

At May 6, 2006, the only material changes to our instruments and positions that are sensitive to market risk since the disclosures in our 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form
10-K, was the $115.3 million increase in commercial paper, the $150.0 million repayment of senior notes, and the purchase of $138.2 million in marketable securities, partially off-set by the sale of $121.4 million in short-term investments, to support the self-insurance reserves in our wholly-owned insurance captive subsidiary.

The fair value of our debt was estimated at $1.780 billion as of May 6, 2006, and $1.868 billion as of August 27, 2005, based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar debt issues or on the current rates available to AutoZone for debt of the same remaining maturities. Such fair value is less than the carrying value of debt by $68.5 million at May 6, 2006, and greater than the carrying value of debt by $6.3 million at August 27, 2005. Considering the effect of any interest rate swaps designated and effective as cash flow hedges, we had $358.1 million of variable rate debt outstanding at May 6, 2006, and $221.9 million of variable rate debt outstanding at August 27, 2005. At these borrowing levels for variable rate debt, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would have had an unfavorable impact on our pre-tax earnings and cash flows of $3.6 million in fiscal 2006 and $2.2 million in fiscal 2005, which includes the effects of interest rate swaps. The primary interest rate exposure on variable rate debt is based on LIBOR. Considering the effect of any interest rate swaps designated and effective as cash flow hedges, we had outstanding fixed rate debt of $1.490 billion at May 6, 2006, and $1.640 billion at August 27, 2005. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would reduce the fair value of our fixed rate debt by $54.8 million at May 6, 2006, and $65.6 million at August 27, 2005. 
 
17


Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of May 6, 2006. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of May 6, 2006. During or subsequent to the quarter ended May 6, 2006, there were no changes in our internal controls that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

AutoZone, Inc. is a defendant in a lawsuit entitled "Coalition for a Level Playing Field, L.L.C., et al., v. AutoZone, Inc. et al.," filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in October 2004. The case was filed by more than 200 plaintiffs, which are principally automotive aftermarket warehouse distributors and jobbers (collectively “Plaintiffs”), against a number of defendants, including automotive aftermarket retailers and aftermarket automotive parts manufacturers. In the amended complaint the plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that some or all of the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants have knowingly received, in violation of the Robinson-Patman Act (the “Act”), from various of the manufacturer defendants benefits such as volume discounts, rebates, early buy allowances and other allowances, fees, inventory without payment, sham advertising and promotional payments, a share in the manufacturers' profits, benefits of pay on scan purchases, implementation of radio frequency identification technology, and excessive payments for services purportedly performed for the manufacturers. Additionally, a subset of plaintiffs alleges a claim of fraud against the automotive aftermarket retailer defendants based on discovery issues in a prior litigation involving similar Robinson-Patman Act claims. In the prior litigation, the discovery dispute, as well as the underlying claims, were decided in favor of AutoZone and the other automotive aftermarket retailer defendants who proceeded to trial, pursuant to a unanimous jury verdict which was affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. In the current litigation, plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages (including statutory trebling), attorneys' fees, and a permanent injunction prohibiting the aftermarket retailer defendants from inducing and/or knowingly receiving discriminatory prices from any of the aftermarket manufacturer defendants and from opening up any further stores to compete with plaintiffs as long as defendants allegedly continue to violate the Act. The Company believes this suit to be without merit and is vigorously defending against it. Defendants have filed motions to dismiss all claims with prejudice on substantive and procedural grounds. Additionally, the Defendants have sought to enjoin plaintiffs from filing similar lawsuits in the future. If granted in their entirety, these dispositive motions would resolve the litigation in Defendants' favor.

On June 22, 2005, the Attorney General of the State of California, in conjunction with District Attorneys for San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Monterey Counties, filed suit in the San Bernardino County Superior Court against AutoZone, Inc. and its California subsidiaries. The San Diego County District Attorney later joined the suit. The lawsuit alleges that AutoZone failed to follow various state statutes and regulations governing the storage and handling of used motor oil and other materials collected for recycling or used for cleaning AutoZone stores and parking lots. The suit seeks $12.0 million in penalties and injunctive relief.

AutoZone is involved in various other legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business. Although the amount of liability that may result from these other proceedings cannot be ascertained, we do not currently believe that, in the aggregate, they will result in liabilities material to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. 

18


Item 2.
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company during the quarter ended May 6, 2006, were as follows:

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
 
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Dollar Value that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
February 12, 2006 to
March 11, 2006
   
256,216
 
$
95.86
   
87,414,629
 
$
263,886,224
 
March 12, 2006 to
April 8, 2006
   
1,810,122
   
98.87
   
89,224,751
   
584,915,480
 
April 9, 2006 to
May 6, 2006
   
256,077
   
96.81
   
89,480,828
   
560,123,726
 
 
Total
   
2,322,415
 
$
98.31
   
89,480,828
 
$
560,123,726
 

All of the above repurchases were part of publicly announced plans that were authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors for a maximum of $4.9 billion in common shares. The program was initially announced in January 1998, and was most recently amended in March 2006, to increase the repurchase authorization to $4.9 billion from $4.4 billion. The program does not have an expiration date.


Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.


Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not applicable.


Item 5.
Other Information.

Not applicable.
19



Item 6.
Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
 
 
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.

 
3.2
Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 1, 2002.

*10.1
Agreement dated as of October 19, 2005, between AutoZone, Inc. and Michael E. Longo.

*10.2
Offer letter dated April 13, 2006, to William T. Giles.

10.3
First Amendment dated as of May 5, 2006, to the Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A, as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent.

10.4
Four-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2006, among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Citicorp USA, Inc. as Syndication Agent.

10.5
Second Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2006, among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, and Citicorp USA, Inc. as Syndication Agent.

 
12.1
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 
15.1
Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Management contract or compensatory arrangement.

20


SIGNATURES

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

     
  AUTOZONE, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ WILLIAM T. GILES 
 
William T. Giles
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer) 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
  By:   /s/ CHARLIE PLEAS, III  
 
Charlie Pleas, III
  Vice President, Controller
  (Principal Accounting Officer) 
   
Dated: June 7, 2006   
 
 
21

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
 
 
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 13, 1999.

 
3.2
Third Amended and Restated By-laws of AutoZone, Inc. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K dated October 1, 2002.

*10.1
Agreement dated as of October 19, 2005, between AutoZone, Inc. and Michael E. Longo.

*10.2
Offer letter dated April 13, 2006, to William T. Giles.

10.3
First Amendment dated as of May 5, 2006, to the Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004, among AutoZone, Inc., as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A, as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent.

10.4
Four-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2006, among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Citicorp USA, Inc. as Syndication Agent.

10.5
Second Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2006, among AutoZone, Inc. as Borrower, the Several Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, and Citicorp USA, Inc. as Syndication Agent.

 
12.1
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

 
15.1
Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Management contract or compensatory arrangement.


 
22




Exhibit 10.1


AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is between AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation and its various subsidiaries (collectively “AutoZone”), and Michael E. Longo, an individual (“Employee”) dated as of October 19, 2005 (“Agreement”).

WHEREAS, Employee and AutoZone entered into an Employment and Non-Compete Agreement dated August 31, 1999, (“Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the parties mutually desire to terminate the Prior Agreement and substitute this Agreement in its place.

NOW, THEREFORE, it is AGREED as follows:

1. Effective Date. The Prior Agreement is hereby terminated and of no effect. Employee resigns his employment with AutoZone as of October 28, 2005, (“Effective Date”). Employee resigns as an officer of AutoZone, Inc. and any and all of its affiliates and subsidiaries (both direct and indirect) as of the Effective Date.

2. Release. Except for the obligations undertaken pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Employee releases and forever discharges AutoZone and its employees, agents, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors, affiliates, and assigns from all claims of whatsoever nature and the right to receive compensation from such claims, growing out of or in any way directly or indirectly connected with the employment relationship between Employee and AutoZone, included but not limited to:

 
A.
Breach of any express or implied term or condition of employment;

 
B.
Any other causes of action under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to claims under any worker’s compensation law, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (as amended), the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and/or the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (as amended); and/or

 
C.
Any right to receive any monetary damages or liability payments from any actions at law or in equity filed on his behalf with regard to his employment with or arising out of or relating to his employment with AutoZone.

(It is important that you read and understand the terms of this Agreement in full and that if you decide to sign it, that you do so knowingly and voluntarily. We suggest you consult an attorney about this Agreement and your rights before signing it. You will not waive or give up any rights to claims you may have against AutoZone that may arise after the date that you sign this Agreement. Although we encourage you to seek advice of counsel concerning your rights and will be happy to answer questions about our offer, the offer is not negotiable. In other words, you may accept the offer as stated or reject the offer and receive the benefits to which you are entitled by law.)
 
3. Recision. AutoZone’s offer as described in this Agreement will remain open and effective for twenty-one (21) days from the date of this Agreement. You may elect to accept or reject this offer within that time period. If you do nothing within the twenty-one (21) day period, the offer shall be deemed withdrawn by AutoZone.

If you do sign the Agreement within the twenty-one (21) day period, you will have seven (7) days following the date you signed this Agreement to change your mind and revoke the Agreement in writing. Therefore, this Agreement will not be in effect until seven (7) days have passed following the date you sign this Agreement.
 

4. Benefits. In consideration of the release granted by Employee and the other obligations undertaken by Employee pursuant to this Agreement, Employee shall receive, subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, the following Benefits in his favor:

A.  Severance pay for a period of one hundred four (104) weeks at Employee’s current weekly base salary rate, paid in equal bi-weekly installments as currently received by Employee, at the same time as AutoZone’s regular payroll. In the event you elect COBRA coverage, each week of pay will also include an additional amount sufficient to cover the difference between premium payments currently being deducted for group health insurance and the premium payment pursuant to COBRA for such period of time as COBRA coverage is allowed pursuant regulations and the AutoZone medical plan. In the event you obtain other health insurance during the term of this agreement, you must immediately notify AutoZone, in writing. Upon receipt of this notification, AutoZone will reduce your pay by the excess COBRA payments. As used in this Agreement, “bi-weekly” means “once every two weeks.”

B.  Vacation pay for which you are eligible, but have not taken, as of the Effective Date of this agreement.

 
 

 
C.  You will receive your eligible Fiscal 2006 bonus, prorated through the Effective Date of your employment with AutoZone. This bonus will be calculated in the same manner (except for being prorated through the Effective Date) and paid at the same time as bonus payouts for Fiscal 2006 as it would have been had Employee been employed by AutoZone on the date bonuses for fiscal 2006 are paid to AutoZone vice presidents.

Employee understands and agrees that the only salary or benefits he will receive from AutoZone are set forth herein, and that all other salary or benefits he is presently receiving from AutoZone shall be and are terminated as of the Effective Date.

The parties understand that applicable local, state, and federal tax deductions and withholdings will be made from all of the appropriate payments. The parties further understand and agree that payment of Benefits in no way increases the vesting period for 401K, pension plans or stock option agreements. Any vested, but unexercised, stock options may be exercised within thirty (30) days of the employment termination date pursuant to the stock option agreements. Any unvested stock options will terminate pursuant to the stock option agreements.

5. Non-Compete. Employee further agrees that he will not, for the period of two (2) year from the Effective Date, be engaged in or concerned with, directly or indirectly, any business related to or involved in the wholesale or retail sale or distribution of auto parts and accessories, chemicals, or motor oil, operating in the automobile aftermarket in any state in which AutoZone operates now or shall operate during the two (2) year term of the Non-Compete agreement (herein called “Competitor”) as an employee, consultant, beneficial or record owner, partner, joint venturer, officer or agent of the Competitor.

The parties acknowledge and agree that the time, scope, geographic area and other provisions of this Non-Compete section have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and specifically hereby agree that such time, scope, geographic area and other provisions are reasonable under the circumstances. The parties further agree that if, at any time, despite the express agreement of the parties hereto, a court of competent jurisdiction holds that any portion of this Non-Compete section is unenforceable for any reason, Employee shall forfeit any benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement. In the event of breach by Employee of any provision of the Non-Compete section, Employee acknowledges that such breach will cause irreparable damage to AutoZone, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate. Accordingly, AutoZone shall be entitled, in addition to any other rights or remedies existing in its favor, to obtain, without the necessity for any bond or other security, specific performance and/or injunctive relief in order to enforce, or prevent breach of any such provision and AutoZone shall be entitled to the remedies set forth in the section entitled “Remedies”.

Employee agrees not to hire, for himself or any other entity, encourage anyone or entity to hire, or entice away from AutoZone any employee of AutoZone during the term of this non-compete obligation.

6. Confidentiality, Nondisparagement and AutoZone Property. Unless otherwise required by law, Employee shall hold in confidence any proprietary or confidential information obtained by him during his employment with AutoZone, which shall include, but not be limited to, information regarding AutoZone’s present and future business plans, systems, operations and personnel matters. Employee acknowledges that all such confidential or proprietary information is and shall remain the sole property of AutoZone and all embodiments of such information shall remain with or be returned to AutoZone. Employee agrees to immediately return to AutoZone any and all property of AutoZone.

Further, Employee agrees to make no disparaging comments regarding AutoZone, AutoZone’s business practices, AutoZone’s management, officers, directors or employees, or any other aspect of AutoZone or his employment with AutoZone to any other person, party or entity.

7. Complete Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and integrates and merges all prior understandings, discussions and negotiations. No other agreement, oral or written, relating to the subject matter contained herein shall be binding upon or enforceable against any of the parties. This Agreement and the documents executed pursuant to it may be amended only in a writing signed by authorized representatives of the parties. No provision of this Agreement or any document executed pursuant to it may be waived except in a writing signed by authorized representatives of the parties.

This Agreement shall be governed and construed by the laws of the State of Tennessee, without regard to its choice of law rules. The parties agree that the only proper venue for any dispute under this Agreement shall be in the state or federal courts located in Shelby County, Tennessee.
 

8. Construction. If any section or provision of this Agreement shall be subject to two constructions, one of which would render such section or provision invalid, then such section or provision shall be given that construction that would render it valid.

9. Remedies. In the event of breach by Employee of any provision of this Agreement, Employee acknowledges that such breach will cause irreparable damage to AuoZone, the exact amount of which will be difficult or impossible to ascertain, and that remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate. Accordingly, AutoZone shall be entitled, in addition to any other rights or remedies existing in its favor, to obtain, without the necessity for any bond or other security, specific performance and/or injunctive relief in order to enforce, or prevent breach of any such provision. In the event Employee breaches this Agreement in any way, any unpaid Benefits shall immediately terminate. AutoZone shall have the right, but not the obligation, to exercise any of its remedies under this Agreement or any that may be allowed by law in the event of a breach of this Agreement. Any such remedies available to AutoZone shall be cumulative, not exclusive.

 
 

 
10. Further Assurances. Employee warrants and represents to AutoZone that he has returned to AutoZone all keys, documents, and other property of AutoZone. Should Employee fail or refuse to return any AutoZone property, AutoZone shall be entitled to exercise its rights under “Remedies”, in addition to any rights that AutoZone may have by law.

The parties agree to execute on or after the date of the execution of this Agreement any and all reasonable additional documents as requested by the other or its counsel to effectuate the purposes hereof.
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective parties execute this Agreement.

AutoZone, Inc.      
       
By: /s/ William C. Rhodes, III     /s/ Michael E. Longo

Title: President & CEO
   
Employee
       
By: /s/ Harry L. Goldsmith      10/19/05

    Date 
Title: Exec. V.P., General Counsel & Secretary      

 
 

 
Exhibit 10.2
 
April 13, 2006
 



Mr. Bill Giles
59 Spier Drive
South Orange, NJ 07079

Dear Bill:

On behalf of AutoZone, I am delighted to offer to you the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, subject to Board approval, reporting directly to me. This position is a member of the Executive Committee.

Our offer includes a base salary of $430,000 per annum plus an annual bonus target of 60% of your base salary. You will be eligible for a performance and salary review at the end of Fiscal 2006. We will guarantee your Fiscal 2006 Bonus at 100% payout, prorated for your time in position for Fiscal 2006. Actual bonus awards for Fiscal 2007 will be determined by the achievement of pre-defined Company and Business Unit objectives. Bonus can therefore be less than target, but can also exceed targets based on above plan performance.

Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AutoZone, Inc., you will receive an initial AutoZone, Inc. common stock option grant of 40,000 non-qualified stock options, which will be granted in accordance with the AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan. These options will be presented to the Compensation Committee for consideration at or before the next meeting of the Compensation Committee which occurs after your start date. Thereafter, on an annual basis, beginning on or around October 2006, subsequent grants will be determined by pre-defined performance achievements and the established annual range of options. All stock option grants are made by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AutoZone. Notwithstanding, any and all Stock Option Plans and future grants are subject to change or may be discontinued at any time.

Our offer of employment also includes relocation support, outlined in the Relocation Policy you will receive. This includes coverage for the home sale and purchase transaction costs, personal goods shipment, and suitable temporary housing. The cap for eligibility for the home sale program will be a home sale value not to exceed $1,200,000. We will also include a one-time miscellaneous gross payment of $10,000, as noted in the relocation policy (minus tax withholding and other customary deductions).

AutoZone will provide a gross sign-on bonus of $50,000, payable 1/2 up front and 1/2 after one year of service. Tax withholding and other reasonable and customary deductions will be deducted from the $50,000 gross payment.

You will be eligible to participate in AutoZone's full group benefit programs, which currently include medical, dental, vision, life and 401(k) program (subject to the terms and conditions of each program). There is also a company paid Executive Disability Plan to include short-term and long-term disability.

As an Executive Vice President, you are eligible to participate in our Executive Medical Health Plan and the Executive Stock Purchase Plan. You are also eligible for four weeks of vacation. These benefits are granted and reviewed on an annual basis. All benefits are subject to review and may change from time to time.

Notwithstanding, your employment will be “at will” and terminable at any time.

Bill, the entire Executive Committee and the Board are enthusiastic about you joining our team. I am personally looking forward to your positive response and to working with you for many years to come. Please feel free to call me or Tim Briggs if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

/s/ Bill
Bill Rhodes
President & CEO


 

Exhibit 10.3

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) dated as of May 5, 2006 is by and among AUTOZONE, INC., a Nevada corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party hereto, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, a $300,000,000 term loan has been established pursuant to the terms of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, the Administrative Agent and the Syndication Lender;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend the Credit Agreement to modify certain provisions contained therein; and

WHEREAS, the Required Lenders have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

2. Amendments. Effective upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by replacing each reference to “Fleet National Bank” and “Fleet” therein with a reference to “Bank of America, N.A.” and “Bank of America”.

(b) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending the definition of “Applicable Percentage” to delete the next to the last sentence thereof and replace it with the following:

“Such determinations by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary.”

(c) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by amending the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” to insert the following phrase at the end of the first sentence thereof, immediately prior to the reference to “.”:

“or otherwise defined herein”

(d) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by amending the definition of “Consolidated Net Income” to insert the following phrase immediately following the word “excluding”:

“(i) share-based expenses and all other non-cash charges (other than any such charges that would result in an accrual or a reserve for cash charges in the future), and (ii)”

(e) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by amending the definition of “Consolidated Rents” to insert the following phrase at the end of the first sentence thereof, immediately prior to the reference to “.”:

“, but excluding rental expense related to any operating lease that has been converted to a Capital Lease”

(f) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting the definition of “Funded Indebtedness” in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

Funded Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person (for purposes of this sentence only, the "Debtor"), without duplication and on a consolidated basis, (i) all Indebtedness of such Debtor for borrowed money; (ii) all purchase money Indebtedness of such Debtor, including without limitation the principal portion of all obligations of such Debtor under Capital Leases; (iii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Debtor with respect to Funded Indebtedness of another Person; (iv) the maximum amount of all (x) drawn and unreimbursed documentary letters of credit, (y) standby letters of credit and (z) bankers acceptances, in each case issued or created for the account of such Debtor and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed); and (v) all Funded Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any Property of such Debtor, whether or not such Funded Indebtedness has been assumed. The Funded Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Funded Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.

 
 

 
(g) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting the definition of “Indebtedness” in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

Indebtedness” of any Person means (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily made, (iii) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services purchased by such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within six months of the incurrence thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person, (v) all obligations of such Person under take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (vi) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (vii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (viii) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (ix) all obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate protection agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, commodity purchase or option agreements or other interest or exchange rate or commodity price hedging agreements, (x) subject to the proviso below, the maximum amount of all letters of credit issued or bankers’ acceptances created for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (xi) all preferred stock issued by such Person and required by the terms thereof to be redeemed, or for which mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date and (xii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness shall not include (i) any documentary letters of credit or other letters of credit used by such Person for the financing of inventory in the ordinary course of business, except to the extent such letters of credit have been drawn upon and unreimbursed or (ii) any amounts received by such Person pursuant to a Commercial Credit Business Arrangement. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer.

(h) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by amending the definition of “Mexican Subsidiaries” to insert the following phrase immediately prior to the first reference to “and”:

“Controladora AutoZone, S. de R.L. de C.V.,”

(i) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended to insert the following definition in the appropriate alphabetical order:

"Arrangers" means Banc of America Securities LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, together with any successors or assigns.

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors, as successor to Fleet National Bank.

(j) Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the reference to “2:00 P.M.” and replacing it with a reference to “11:00 A.M.”.

(k) Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by deleting the second sentence thereof in its entirety and replacing it with the following:

“Each such extension or conversion shall be effected by a Financial Officer of the Borrower giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M. on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto.”

(l) Section 3.15(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “prima facie, but not conclusive” and replacing it with the phrase “conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary”.

(m) Section 5.11(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 
2

 
“(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended. In addition, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a company.”

(n) Section 6.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “a consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal year, together with related consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash flows” and replacing it with the following:

“as of the end of such fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries”

(o) Section 6.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending May 6, 2006, as soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) the 50th day after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the day that is five (5) Business Days after the date the Borrower's quarterly report on Form 10-Q is required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related condensed consolidated balance sheet, a condensed consolidated statement of income and a condensed consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, except for the condensed consolidated balance sheet that will be presented in comparative form to the Borrower’s most recent audited consolidated balance sheet, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments.

(p) Section 6.1(e) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(e) Notices. The Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent (a) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (b) upon occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Person which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the institution of any proceedings against such Person with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of any notice or determination concerning the imposition of any withdrawal liability by a Multiemployer Plan against such Person or any ERISA Affiliate, the determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or the termination of any Plan.”

(q) Section 7.5(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the reference to “$50,000,000” therein and replacing it with a reference to “$100,000,000”.

(r) Section 10.1(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

“(ii) if to the Administrative Agent (for payments and requests for Credit Extensions):

Bank of America, N.A.
2001 Clayton Road, Building B
Mail Code: CA4-702-02-25
Concord, CA 94520-2405
Attention: Glenis Croucher
Telephone: 925-675-8328
Facsimile: 888-969-3315
Electronic Mail: glenis.croucher@bankofamerica.com
 
 
3

 
Payment Instructions:
 
Bank of America, N.A.
New York, NY
ABA # 026 009 593
Account No.: 3750836479
Account Name: Credit Services #5596
Ref: AutoZone

Other notices to the Administrative Agent:

Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Management
101 North Tryon Street, 15th Floor
Mail Code: NC1-001-15-14
Charlotte, NC 28255
Attention: Kimberly Crane
Telephone: 704-387-5451
Facsimile: 704-409-0901
Electronic Mail: kimberly.crane@bankofamerica.com.
 
(s) Section 10.3(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “of $3,500” and replacing it with the phrase “in accordance with Schedule 10.3(c)”.

(t) Section 10 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by inserting the following as a new Section 10.18:

10.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or either Arranger has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby; and (v) the Administrative Agent and Arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby.”

(u) The Schedules to the Credit Agreement are hereby amended by (i) inserting Schedule 10.3(c) and (ii) deleting Schedules 5.5 and 7.5 in their entirety and replacing them with Schedules 5.5 and 7.5 attached hereto as Exhibit A.

3. Condition Precedent. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following:

(a) counterparts of this Amendment duly executed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders;

 
4

 
(b) evidence that the “Closing Date” as defined in each of (i) that certain Four-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent and (ii) that certain Second Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent have been has occurred, and such agreements have become effective;

(c) Fees. Any fees required to be paid on or before the First Amendment Effective Date shall have been paid.

(d) Attorney Costs. Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all costs and expenses of Moore & Van Allen PLLC, outside counsel to the Administrative Agent, to the extent invoiced prior to or on the First Amendment Effective Date, plus such additional amounts as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).

(e) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date.

(f) No Default. No Default shall exist and be continuing as of the First Amendment Effective Date.

4. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (a) it has the requisite organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Amendment, (b) it is duly authorized to, and has been authorized by all necessary organizational action to, execute, deliver and perform this Amendment, (c) no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or governmental authority or third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by it of this Amendment, (d) the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Amendment do not and will not conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of any Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or any indenture or other material agreement or instrument to which any such Person is a party or by which any of its properties may be bound or the approval of any Governmental Authority relating to such Person except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (e) the representations and warranties contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date) and (f) after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit Agreement on and as of the date hereof or will occur as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby. 

5. No Other Changes; Ratification. Except as expressly modified hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement (including schedules and exhibits thereto) and the other Credit Documents shall remain in full force and effect. The term “this Agreement” or “Credit Agreement” and all similar references as used in each of the Credit Documents shall hereafter mean the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Except as herein specifically agreed, the Credit Agreement is hereby ratified and confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect according to its terms.

6. Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, including without limitation the reasonable fees and expenses of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC.

7. Counterparts; Facsimile. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by telecopy or electronic mail by any party hereto shall be effective as such party’s original executed counterpart.

8. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

9. Entirety. This Amendment and the other Credit Documents embody the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Amendment and the other Credit Documents represent the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no oral agreements between the parties.
 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 
5

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:     AUTOZONE, INC.

By: /s/ James A. Cook III
Name: James A. Cook III
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

By: /s/ Harry L. Goldsmith
Name: Harry L. Goldsmith
Title: Executive Vice President, Secretary &
General Counsel

 
6

 


ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:                         BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

By:/s/ Mollie S. Camp
Name: Mollie S. Camp
Title: Vice President

LENDERS                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Dan Killian
Name: Dan M. Killian
Title: Senior Vice President


Wachovia Bank, National Association

By: /s/ Anthony D. Braxton
Name: Anthony D. Braxton
Title: Director

BNP PARIBAS

By: /s/ Brad Ellis
Name: Brad Ellis
Title: Vice President

By: /s/ Aurora Abella
Name: Aurora Abella
Title: Vice President


[LENDER] Regions Bank

By: /s/ Corey Burgess
Name:
Title: Vice President


Calyon New York Branch

By: /s/ David P. Cagle
Name: David P. Cagle
Title: Managing Director

By: /s/ Brian Myers
Name: Brian Myers
Title: Managing Director

Union Bank of California N.A.

By: /s/ Theresa L. Rocha
Name: Theresa L. Rocha
Title: Vice President

Fifth Third Bank

By: /s/ John K. Perez
Name: John K. Perez
Title: Vice President

 
7

 
[US Bank National Association]

By: /s/ Heather Hinkelman
Name: Heather Hinkelman
Title: Banking Officer

The Bank of New York

By: /s/ Scott DeTraglia
Name: Scott DeTraglia
Title: Vice President

The Chiba Bank, Ltd.

By: /s/ Morio Tsumita
Name: Morio Tsumita
Title: General Manager

Comerica Bank

By: /s/ Heather Whiting
Name: Heather Whiting
Title: Assistant Vice President
 

Exhibit 10.4
 

Execution Copy

[Published CUSIP Number: ________________]


FOUR-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 5, 2006

among

AUTOZONE, INC.,
as Borrower,

THE SEVERAL LENDERS
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

AND

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

and

CITICORP USA, INC.,
as Syndication Agent
______________________________________________________________

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
and


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
SUNTRUST BANK,
as Co-Documentation Agents
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Page
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS
1
1.1
Definitions.
1
1.2
Computation of Time Periods.
18
1.3
Accounting Terms.
18
1.4
Time of Day.
18
SECTION 2 CREDIT FACILITIES
18
2.1
Revolving Loans.
18
SECTION 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES
23
3.1
Default Rate.
23
3.2
Extension and Conversion.
23
3.3
Prepayments.
24
3.4
Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Committed Amount.
25
3.5
Fees.
28
3.6
Capital Adequacy.
28
3.7
Inability To Determine Interest Rate.
29
3.8
Illegality.
29
3.9
Yield Protection.
29
3.10
Withholding Tax Exemption.
30
3.11
Indemnity.
31
3.12
Pro Rata Treatment.
32
3.13
Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
33
3.14
Sharing of Payments.
34
3.15
Payments, Computations, Etc.
35
3.16
Evidence of Debt.
37
3.17
Replacement of Lenders.
37
SECTION 4 CONDITIONS
38
4.1
Closing Conditions.
38
4.2
Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.
39
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
40
5.1
Financial Position; No Internal Control Event.
40
5.2
Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.
40
5.3
Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
41
5.4
No Legal Bar.
41
5.5
No Material Litigation.
41
5.6
No Default.
41
5.7
Ownership of Property; Liens.
42
5.8
No Burdensome Restrictions.
42
5.9
Taxes.
42
5.10
ERISA.
42
5.11
Governmental Regulations, Etc.
44
5.12
Subsidiaries.
45
 
 
i

 
5.13
Purpose of Loans.
45
5.14
Disclosure.
45
5.15
Taxpayer Identification Number.
45
SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
45
6.1
Information Covenants.
45
6.2
Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
50
6.3
Books and Records.
50
6.4
Compliance with Law.
50
6.5
Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
50
6.6
Insurance.
50
6.7
Maintenance of Property.
50
6.8
Use of Proceeds.
51
6.9
Audits/Inspections.
51
6.10
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR Ratio.
51
6.11
Interest Coverage Ratio.
51
SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS
51
7.1
Liens.
51
7.2
Nature of Business.
51
7.3
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.
52
7.4
Fiscal Year.
53
7.5
Subsidiary Indebtedness.
53
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT
54
8.1
Events of Default.
54
8.2
Acceleration; Remedies.
56
SECTION 9 AGENCY PROVISIONS
57
9.1
Appointment and Authority.
57
9.2
Delegation of Duties.
57
9.3
Exculpatory Provisions.
57
9.4
Reliance on Communications.
58
9.5
Notice of Default.
58
9.6
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
59
9.7
Indemnification.
60
9.8
Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.
60
9.9
Successor Administrative Agent.
61
9.10
Syndication Agent.
61
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS
62
10.1
Notices.
62
10.2
Right of Set-Off.
64
10.3
Successors and Assigns.
64
10.4
No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
68
10.5
Payment of Expenses, etc.
68
10.6
Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
69
 
 
ii

 
10.7
Counterparts.
70
10.8
Headings.
70
10.9
Survival.
70
10.10
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
71
10.11
Severability.
71
10.12
Entirety.
71
10.13
Binding Effect; Termination.
72
10.14
Confidentiality.
72
10.15
Source of Funds.
73
10.16
Conflict.
73
10.17
USA PATRIOT Act Notice.
74
10.18
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
74


SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1
 
Applicable Percentage
Schedule 2.1(a)
 
Lenders
Schedule 2.1(b)(i)
 
Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.1(e)
 
Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 2.2(f)
 
Form of Competitive Note
Schedule 3.2
 
Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 3.4(b)
 
Form of New Commitment Agreement
Schedule 4.1(f)
 
Form of Legal Opinion
Schedule 5.5
 
Material Litigation
Schedule 5.12
 
Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.1(c)
 
Form of Officer’s Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.5
 
Subsidiary Indebtedness
Schedule 10.1
 
Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
Schedule 10.3(a)
 
Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Schedule 10.3(b)
 
Processing and Recordation Fees

 
iii

 


FOUR-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS FOUR-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of May 5, 2006 (the "Credit Agreement"), is by and among AUTOZONE, INC., a Nevada corporation (the "Borrower"), the several lenders identified on the signature pages hereto and such other lenders as may from time to time become a party hereto (the "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), and CITICORP USA, INC., as syndication agent (in such capacity, the "Syndication Agent").


W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain financial accommodations to the Borrower in the form of a revolving credit facility, as more particularly described herein;

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to provide such financial accommodations to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions.

As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:

"Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.

"Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter" means that certain letter agreement, dated as of April 7, 2006, between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

"Administrative Agent’s Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(b).

"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form  supplied by the Administrative Agent.
 
 
 

 
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i) directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person or (ii) directly or indirectly owning or holding five percent (5%) or more of the equity interest in such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

"Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement" means that certain Second Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and Citicorp USA, Inc., as syndication agent, as amended, modified, restated, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

"Applicable Percentage" means, for purposes of calculating the applicable interest rate for any day for any Revolving Loan, the applicable rate of the Facility Fee for any day for purposes of Section 3.5(a), the applicable rate of the Utilization Fee for any day for the purposes of Section 3.5(c), the appropriate applicable percentage set forth on Schedule 1.1. The Applicable Percentages shall be determined and adjusted on the following dates (each a "Calculation Date"):

(i) where the Borrower has a senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody’s, five (5) Business Days after receipt of notice by the Administrative Agent of a change in any such debt rating, based on such debt rating(s); and

(ii) where the Borrower previously had a senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody’s, but either or both of S&P and Moody’s withdraws its rating such that the Borrower’s senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt no longer is rated by either S&P or Moody’s, five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of notice of the withdrawal of the last to exist of such previous debt ratings, based on Pricing Level V until the earlier of (A) such time as S&P and/or Moody’s provides another rating for such debt of the Borrower or (B) the Required Lenders have agreed to an alternative pricing grid or other method for determining Pricing Levels pursuant to an effective amendment to this Credit Agreement.

 
The Applicable Percentage shall be effective from a Calculation Date until the next such Calculation Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the appropriate Applicable Percentages promptly upon receipt of the notices and information necessary to make such determination and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary.

 
2

 
"Arrangers" means Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., together with any successors or assigns. 

"Assignee Group" means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one  another.
 
"Assignment and Assumption" means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.3(b), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Schedule 10.3(a) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
 
"Audited Financial Statements" means the audited consolidated balance sheet of  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders’ equity and cash  flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes  thereto.
 
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

"Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any of the following with respect to such Person: (i) a court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there shall be commenced against such Person an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or (iii) such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Person shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts generally as they become due.

"Base Rate" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 
3

 
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

"Borrower" means the Person identified as such in the heading hereof, together with any permitted successors and assigns.

"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be a day on which dealings between banks are carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in London, England and New York, New York.

"Calculation Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Percentage.

"Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

"Change of Control" means either (i) a "person" or a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of more than 50% of the then outstanding voting stock of the Borrower or (ii) a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower shall consist of individuals who are not Continuing Directors. For purposes hereof, "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, (i) an individual who on the date two years prior to such determination date was a member of the Borrower’s board of directors or (ii) (a) any new director whose nomination for election by the Borrower’s shareholders was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date two years prior to such determination date or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (or who are Continuing Directors pursuant to clause (b) below) or (b) any director who was elected by a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date two years prior to such determination date or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (or who are Continuing Directors pursuant to clause (a) above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Reorganization permitted by under Section 7.3 hereof shall not be deemed a Change of Control for the purposed of this Credit Agreement.

"Change of Control Notice" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

 
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"Change of Control Prepayment Amount" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Change of Control Standstill Period" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Closing Date" means the date hereof.

"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

"Commercial Credit Business Arrangement" means any agreement between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and an entity that purchases such Person’s commercial accounts receivables with only such limited recourse back to such Person as is customary in factoring arrangements of this type.

"Commitment" means with respect to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.

"Commitment Percentage" means, for any Lender, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

"Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Lender to make a Competitive Loan pursuant to the terms of Section 2.2.

"Competitive Bid Rate" means, as to any Competitive Bid made by a Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2, the fixed rate of interest offered by the Lender making the Competitive Bid.

"Competitive Loan" means a loan made by a Lender in its discretion pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2.

"Competitive Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of a Lender delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(f) and evidencing the Competitive Loans, if any, of such Lender, as such promissory note may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.
 
"Consolidated Adjusted Debt" means, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness and (ii) the product of Consolidated Rents multiplied by 6.0.

"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus all provisions for any Federal, state or other domestic and foreign income taxes plus depreciation and amortization, in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis or otherwise defined herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

 
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"Consolidated EBITDAR" means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Rents. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated EBITR" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, Consolidated EBITDA minus depreciation and amortization plus Consolidated Rents, in each case on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means, at any time, the outstanding principal amount of all Funded Indebtedness, without duplication and on a consolidated basis, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time.

"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITR to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense plus Consolidated Rents.

"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all interest expense plus the interest component under Capital Leases, in each case on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, net income on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding (i) share-based expenses and all other non-cash charges (other than any such charges that would result in an accrual or a reserve for cash charges in the future); and (ii) non-recurring charges in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 collectively with respect to all periods relevant for the calculation of the financial covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated Rents" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all rental expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period under operating leases (specifically including rents paid in connection with synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or similar off-balance sheet financing products), on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding rental expense related to any operating lease that has been converted to a Capital Lease. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

 
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"Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter and all other related agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.

"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

"Designating Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(e).

"Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

"Eligible Assignee" means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.3(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.3(b)(iii)).
 
"Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable Federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

"ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes the Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

"ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the withdrawal by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA; (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with respect to any Plan; or (vii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA.

 
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"Eurodollar Base Rate" has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.

"Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

"Eurodollar Rate" means for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:

Eurodollar Rate =
Eurodollar Base Rate 
1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

Where,

"Eurodollar Base Rate" means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate ("BBA LIBOR"), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "Eurodollar Rate" for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time to time under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as such regulation may be amended from time to time or any successor regulation, as the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency, special, or marginal reserves) applicable with respect to Eurocurrency liabilities as that term is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate of Eurodollar Loans is determined), whether or not Lender has any Eurocurrency liabilities subject to such reserve requirement at that time. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credits for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to a Lender. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

 
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"Event of Default" means such term as defined in Section 8.1.

"Existing 364-Day Credit Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of May 17, 2004 (and extended on May 16, 2005 pursuant to the terms of Section 3.4(c) thereof) by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as syndication agent, as amended, modified, restated, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

"Facilities" means a collective reference to (i) the revolving loan facility established pursuant to Section 2.1 and (ii) the revolving loan facility established pursuant to the Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement.

"Facility Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a).

"Facility Fee Calculation Period" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a).

"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (A) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day and (B) if no such rate is so published on such next preceding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

"Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.

"Financial Officer" means, with respect to the Borrower, the Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel, or the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower; provided that the Borrower may designate additional persons or delete persons so authorized by written notice to the Administrative Agent from at least two existing Financial Officers of the Borrower.

"Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 
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"Funded Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person (for purposes of this sentence only, the "Debtor"), without duplication and on a consolidated basis, (i) all Indebtedness of such Debtor for borrowed money; (ii) all purchase money Indebtedness of such Debtor, including without limitation the principal portion of all obligations of such Debtor under Capital Leases; (iii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Debtor with respect to Funded Indebtedness of another Person; (iv) the maximum amount of all (x) drawn and unreimbursed documentary letters of credit, (y) standby letters of credit and (z) bankers acceptances, in each case issued or created for the account of such Debtor and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed); and (v) all Funded Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any Property of such Debtor, whether or not such Funded Indebtedness has been assumed. The Funded Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Funded Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.3 hereof.

"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

"Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.

"Indebtedness" of any Person means (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily made, (iii) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services purchased by such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within six months of the incurrence thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person, (v) all obligations of such Person under take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (vi) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (vii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (viii) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (ix) all obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate protection agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, commodity purchase or option agreements or other interest or exchange rate or commodity price hedging agreements, (x) subject to the proviso below, the maximum amount of all letters of credit issued or bankers’ acceptances created for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (xi) all preferred stock issued by such Person and required by the terms thereof to be redeemed, or for which mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date and (xii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness shall not include (i) any documentary letters of credit or other letters of credit used by such Person for the financing of inventory in the ordinary course of business, except to the extent such letters of credit have been drawn upon and unreimbursed or (ii) any amounts received by such Person pursuant to a Commercial Credit Business Arrangement. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer.

 
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"Information" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.

"Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date and (ii) as to any Eurodollar Loan or any Competitive Loan, the last day of each Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and on the Termination Date, and in addition where the applicable Interest Period is more than 3 months, then also on the date 3 months from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each 3 months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day.

"Interest Period" means (i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, a period of one, two, three or six month’s duration, as the Borrower may elect, commencing in each case, on the date of the borrowing (including conversions, extensions and renewals) and (ii) as to any Competitive Loan, a period commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing and ending on the date specified in the applicable Competitive Bid whereby the offer to make such Competitive Loan was extended (such ending date in any event to be no less than one week and not more than 180 days from the date of the borrowing); provided, however, (A) if any Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date, and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.

"Internal Control Event" means a material weakness in, or fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in, the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting, in each case as described in the Securities Laws or as otherwise determined by the Borrower’s external auditors on a quarterly basis that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a misstatement in any material respect, in any financial information delivered or to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, of (i) covenant compliance calculations provided hereunder or (ii) the assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that has not been (x) disclosed to the Administrative Agent, who in turn discloses such material weaknesses to the Lenders, and (y) remedied or otherwise diligently addressed (or is in the process of being diligently addressed) by the Borrower in accordance with recommendations made by the Borrower's auditors in consultation with the Borrower.

 
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"Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a "Lender" on the signature pages hereto, and each Person which may become a Lender by way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof, together with their successors and permitted assigns.

"Lending Installation" means, with respect to a Lender or the Administrative Agent, any office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender or the Administrative Agent.

"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any condi-tional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in the nature thereof).

"Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans and/or the Competitive Loans.

"Master Account" means such account as may be identified by written notice from at least two Financial Officers of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

 
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"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, assets or liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents or (iii) any aspect of the Borrower or its business that adversely affects the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit Documents.

"Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

"Mexican Subsidiaries" means, collectively, the following Subsidiaries of the Borrower: AutoZone de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., Zone Compra, S. de R.L. de C.V., Service Zone, S.de R.L. de C.V., Data Zone, S. de R.L. de C.V., Controladora AutoZone, S. de R.L. de C.V., and any other Subsidiary of the Borrower formed after the Closing Date and organized under the laws of Mexico.

"Moody’s" means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

"Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

"New Commitment Agreement" means a New Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 3.4(b), as executed pursuant to Section 3.4(b).

"Note" or "Notes" means any Revolving Note and/or any Competitive Note, as the context may require.

"Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(b)(i), as required by Section 2.1(b)(i).

"Notice of Extension/Conversion" means the written notice of extension or conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2, as required by Section 3.2.

"Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 10.3(d).
 
"Participation Interest" means, the extension of credit by a Lender by way of a purchase of a participation in any Loans as provided in Section 3.13.

 
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"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.

"PCAOB" means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

"Permitted Liens" means:

(i) Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders;

(ii) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

(iii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that any such Liens which are material secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

(iv) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(v) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the judgments secured shall, within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay;

(vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

 
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(vii) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(viii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(ix) Liens on assets at the time such assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in accordance with Section 7.3(d); provided that such Liens are not created in contemplation of such acquisition;

(x) Liens on assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary in accordance with Section 7.3(d); provided that such Liens are not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(xi) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

(xii) Liens on receivables sold pursuant to a Commercial Credit Business Arrangement;

(xiii) Liens on inventory held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under consignment;

(xiv) Liens on any inventory of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in favor of a vendor of such inventory, arising in the normal course of business upon its sale to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary; and

(xv) other Liens on Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own at all times Property (a) unencumbered by any Liens other than Liens permitted by clauses (i) through (xiv) above and (b), having an aggregate fair market value of at least $2,000,000,000.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

"Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

"Platform" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.

 
15

 
"Pricing Level" means the applicable pricing level for the Applicable Percentage shown in Schedule 1.1.

"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

"Register" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 10.3(c).

"Registered Public Accounting Firm" has the meaning specified in the Securities Laws and shall be independent of the Borrower as prescribed by the Securities Laws.

"Regulation D, T, U, or X" means Regulation D, T, U or X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

"Related Parties" means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

"Release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers and other closed receptacles containing any Materials of Environmental Concern).

"Reorganization" shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.03.

"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the notice requirement has been waived by regulation.

"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders which are then in compliance with their obligations hereunder (as determined by the Administrative Agent) and holding in the aggregate more than 50% of (i) the Commitment Percentages or (ii) if the Commitments have been terminated, the outstanding Loans and Participation Interests.

"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its material property is subject.

"Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.1(a) (as such amount may be reduced or increased from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement), to make Revolving Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1(a).

 
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"Revolving Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1(a).

"Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1(a).

"Revolving Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of a Lender delivered pursuant to Section 2.1(e) and evidencing the Revolving Loans of such Lender, as such promissory note may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.

"S&P" means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the business of rating securities.

"Sarbanes-Oxley" means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

"Securities Laws" means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sarbanes-Oxley and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.

"SPV" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(e).

"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.

"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50% equity interest at any time.
 
"Syndication Agent" means Citicorp USA, Inc., together with any successors and assigns.

"Term Loan Amendment" means the First Amendment dated on or about the date hereof to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004 by and among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent.

"Terminating Lenders" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

 
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"Termination Date" means May 5, 2010, provided, however that if such date is not a Business Day, the Termination Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

"Utilization Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(c).

"Utilization Fee Period" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(c).

1.2 Computation of Time Periods.

For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding."

1.3 Accounting Terms.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, consistent with the financial statements as at August 27, 2005); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object to determining such compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing within 30 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.

1.4 Time of Day.

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).


SECTION 2

CREDIT FACILITIES

2.1 Revolving Loans.

 
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(a) Revolving Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make available to the Borrower revolving credit loans requested by the Borrower in Dollars ("Revolving Loans") up to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, or such earlier date as the Revolving Commitments shall have been terminated as provided herein for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($300,000,000.00) (as such aggregate maximum amount may be reduced or increased from time to time as provided in Sections 3.3 and 3.4, the "Revolving Committed Amount"); provided, further, (i) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender’s outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof; provided, however, that no more than 25 Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time. For purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period. Revolving Loans hereunder may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

(b) Revolving Loan Borrowings.

(i) Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall request a Revolving Loan borrowing by notice, which may be given by telephone and promptly confirmed in writing. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 12:00 noon on the Business Day of the requested borrowing in the case of Base Rate Loans, and (ii) 11:00 A.M. three Business Days prior to the date of the requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such request for borrowing shall be irrevocable, executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and shall specify (A) that a Revolving Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s) therefor. If the Borrower shall fail to specify in any such Notice of Borrowing (I) an applicable Interest Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month, or (II) the type of Revolving Loan requested, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to each affected Lender promptly upon receipt of each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.1(b)(i), the contents thereof and each such Lender’s share of any borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.

 
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(ii) Minimum Amounts. Each Eurodollar Loan or Base Rate Loan that is a Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount of the Revolving Committed Amount, if less).

(iii) Advances. Each Lender will make its Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Loan borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower as specified in Section 3.14(a), or in such other manner as the Administrative Agent may specify in writing, by 1:00 P.M. on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing in Dollars and in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent by crediting the Master Account with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

(c) Repayment. The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date, subject to the provisions of Sections 3.4(c) and (e).

(d) Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,

(i) Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans, such Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage; and

(ii) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of Eurodollar Loans, such Eurodollar Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.

Interest on Revolving Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein).

(e) Revolving Notes. The Revolving Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower to such Lender in an original principal amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and in substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(e).

2.2 Competitive Loan Subfacility.

(a) Competitive Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Borrower may, from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, request and each Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to make, Competitive Loans in Dollars to the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, and (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Each Competitive Loan shall be not less than $10,000,000 in the aggregate and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining portion of the Revolving Committed Amount, if less). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

 
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(b) Competitive Bid Requests. The Borrower may solicit by making a written or telefax request to all of the Lenders for a Competitive Loan. To be effective, such request must be received by each of the Lenders by 2:00 P.M. one Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing and must specify (i) that a Competitive Loan is requested, (ii) the amount of such Competitive Loan and (iii) the Interest Period for such Competitive Loan.

(c) Competitive Bids. Upon receipt of a request by the Borrower for a Competitive Loan, each Lender may, in its sole discretion, submit a Competitive Bid containing an offer to make a Competitive Loan in an amount up to the amount specified in the related request for Competitive Loans. Such Competitive Bid shall be submitted to the Borrower by telephone notice (to be immediately confirmed by telecopy) by 11:00 A.M. on the date of the requested Competitive Loan. Competitive Bids so made shall be irrevocable. Each Competitive Bid shall specify (i) the date of the proposed Competitive Loan, (ii) the maximum and minimum principal amounts of the Competitive Loan for which such offer is being made (which may be for all or a part of (but not more than) the amount requested by the Borrower), (iii) the applicable Competitive Bid Rate, and (iv) the applicable Interest Period.

(d) Acceptance of Competitive Bids. The Borrower may, before 11:00 A.M. on the date of the requested Competitive Loan, accept any Competitive Bid by giving the applicable Lender and the Administrative Agent telephone notice (immediately confirmed in writing) of (i) the Lender or Lenders whose Competitive Bid(s) is/are accepted, (ii) the principal amount of the Competitive Bid(s) so accepted and (iii) the Interest Period of the Competitive Bid(s) so accepted. The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided, however, that (a) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan may not exceed the maximum amount offered in the Competitive Bid and may not be less than the minimum amount offered in the Competitive Bid, (b) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan may not exceed the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above, (c) the Borrower shall not accept a Competitive Bid made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate if it has decided to reject a Competitive Bid made at a lower Competitive Bid Rate and (d) if the Borrower shall accept a Competitive Bid or Bids made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate but the amount of such Competitive Bid or Bids shall cause the total amount of Competitive Bids to be accepted by the Borrower to exceed the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above, then the Borrower shall accept a portion of such Competitive Bid or Bids in an amount equal to the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above less the amount of other Competitive Bids accepted with respect to such request, which acceptance, in the case of multiple Competitive Bids at the same Competitive Bid Rate, shall be made pro rata in accordance with each such Competitive Bid at such Competitive Bid Rate. Competitive Bids so accepted by the Borrower shall be irrevocable.

 
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(e) Funding of Competitive Loans. Upon acceptance by the Borrower pursuant to subsection (d) above of all or a portion of any Lender’s Competitive Bid, such Lender shall, before such time as determined by such Lender in accordance with such Lender’s customary practices, on the date of the requested Competitive Loan, make such Competitive Loan available by crediting the Master Account with the amount of such Competitive Loan.

(f) Competitive Notes. The Competitive Loans of each Lender shall be evidenced by a single Competitive Note duly executed on behalf of the Borrower, dated the date hereof, in substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(f), payable to the order of such Lender.

(g) Repayment of Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall repay to each Lender which has made a Competitive Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Competitive Loan the then unpaid principal amount of such Competitive Loan. Unless the Borrower shall repay the maturing Competitive Loan or give to notice to the Administrative Agent of its intent to otherwise repay such Loan not later than 11:00 A.M. on the last day of the Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised of Base Rate Loans in the amount of the maturing Competitive Loan, the proceeds of which will be used to repay such Competitive Loan.

(h) Interest on Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall pay interest to each Lender on the unpaid principal amount of each Competitive Loan from and including the date of such Competitive Loan to but excluding the stated maturity date thereof, at the applicable Competitive Bid Rate for such Competitive Loan (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days). Interest on Competitive Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein).

(i) Limitation on Number of Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall not request a Competitive Loan if, assuming the maximum amount of Competitive Loans so requested is borrowed as of the date of such request, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans would exceed the aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

(j) Change in Procedures for Requesting Competitive Loans. The Borrower and the Lenders hereby agree that, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, upon mutual agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, all further requests by the Borrower for Competitive Loans shall be made by the Borrower to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent in accordance with such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Administrative Agent and acceptable to the Borrower and each Lender.

 
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SECTION 3

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES

3.1 Default Rate.

Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default, the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the Loans and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate 1% greater than the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, whether in respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then 1% greater than the Base Rate).

3.2 Extension and Conversion.

The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to deliver a Notice of Extension/Conversion to (i) extend existing Loans into a single subsequent permissible Interest Period, (ii) convert Loans into Loans of another interest rate type or (iii) extend existing Loans into automatic rolling subsequent three-month Interest Periods; provided that, with respect to this clause (iii) such Loans will be automatically extended on the last day of each three-month Interest Period into the subsequent three-month Interest Period (as requested pursuant to the relevant Notice of Extension/Conversion) until such time as the Borrower delivers a new Notice of Extension/Conversion, which new Notice of Extension/Conversion shall be delivered prior to 11:00 A.M. on the fifth Business Day prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period; provided, however, that (a) except as provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (b) Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted into Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of extension or conversion, (c) Loans extended as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the definition of "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1 and shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii), (d) no more than 25 Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it being understood that, for purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period), (e) any request for extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month and (f) Competitive Loans may not be extended or converted pursuant to this Section 3.2. Each such extension or conversion shall be effected by a Financial Officer of the Borrower giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M. on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for extension or conversion shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 4.2. In the event the Borrower fails to request extension or conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such conversion or extension is not permitted or required by this Section, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed extension or conversion affecting any Loan.

 
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3.3 Prepayments.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans (other than Competitive Loans, which may not be prepaid) in whole or in part from time to time, subject to Section 3.11, but otherwise without premium or penalty; provided, however, that (i) Base Rate Loans may only be prepaid on one Business Day's prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and specifying the applicable Loans to be prepaid; (ii) Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid on three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and specifying the applicable Loans to be prepaid; and (iii) each such partial prepayment of Loans shall be in the case of Revolving Loans, in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the Revolving Loan being prepaid). Subject to the foregoing terms, amounts prepaid under this Section 3.3(a) shall be applied as the Borrower may elect.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments.

(i) Commitment Limitation. If at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans shall exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower promises to immediately prepay Loans in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess (such payments to be applied as set forth in clause (ii) below).

(iiii) Application of Mandatory Prepayments. All amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) shall be applied as follows: (A) with respect to all amounts paid pursuant to Section 3.3(b), to Revolving Loans. Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, payments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All payments under this Section 3.3(b) shall be subject to Section 3.11, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount paid through the date of payment.

(c) General. All prepayments made pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall (i) be subject to Section 3.11 and (ii) unless the Borrower shall specify otherwise, be applied first to Base Rate Loans, if any, and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. Except as otherwise set forth in subclause (b) above, amounts prepaid on the Revolving Loans may be reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 
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3.4 Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Committed Amount.

(a) Voluntary Reductions. The Borrower may from time to time permanently reduce or terminate the Revolving Committed Amount in whole or in part (in minimum aggregate amounts of $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the then applicable Revolving Committed Amount)) upon five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, no such termination or reduction shall be made which would cause the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans to exceed the Revolving Committed Amount unless, concurrently with such termination or reduction, the Revolving Loans and/or the Competitive Loans are repaid to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Commitments of the Lenders shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of receipt by the Administrative Agent of any notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.4(a).

(b) Additional Commitments. The Borrower shall have the right no more than once a year to increase the Facilities up to an aggregate amount of $1,300,000,000 (with such increase to be applied pro rata to the Facilities) without the consent of the Lenders, subject however to the satisfaction of each of the following terms and conditions:

(i) to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent, no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing at the time of such increase;

(ii) concurrently with the Borrower’s request for such increase hereunder, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, an officer’s certificate substantially in the form of Schedule 6.1(c) certifying that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and demonstrating compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 both before and after giving effect to the increase requested hereunder;

(iii) such increase shall be allocated in the following order:

(A) first, to the existing Lenders consenting to an increase in the amount of their Revolving Commitments; provided that (1) on or before the tenth Business Day following notification of a requested increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, each Lender shall notify the Borrower of the desired increase, if any, in its Revolving Commitment and (2) if the aggregate increases in the Revolving Commitments requested by the existing Lenders shall exceed the requested increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Revolving Commitments of such Lenders shall be increased on a pro rata basis according to the existing Commitment Percentage of such Lenders; and

 
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(B) second, to any other commercial bank, financial institution or "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D of the SEC) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower;

(iv) each Person providing a new Commitment shall execute a New Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 3.4(b) hereto and, upon such execution and the satisfaction of the other terms and conditions of this Section 3.4(b), such Person shall thereupon become a party hereto and have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement as more specifically provided in the New Commitment Agreement; and

(v) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of (A) the new Revolving Committed Amount and (B) each Lender’s Commitment Percentage, in each case after giving effect to the one-time increase in Revolving Commitment referred to in this Section 3.4(b).

 
On the date (which date shall be a Business Day) on which the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount occurs the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall make adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans outstanding hereunder and under the Four-Year Credit Agreement and amounts of principal, interest, fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary in order to reallocate among the Lenders such outstanding amounts based on the new Commitment Percentages and to otherwise carry out fully the terms of this Section 3.4(b). The Borrower agrees that, in connection with any such increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, it will promptly (i) provide to each Lender providing a new or increased Revolving Commitment (upon surrender of the existing Revolving Note of such Lender in the case of an existing Lender) a Revolving Note in the amount of its new or increased (as applicable) Revolving Commitment substantially in the form of the Revolving Note attached hereto as Schedule 2.1(e) (but, in the case of a new Revolving Note given to an existing Lender that increases its Revolving Commitment, with notation thereon that it is given in substitution for and replacement of the original Revolving Note or any replacement notes thereof) and (ii) provide to each Lender (upon surrender of the existing Competitive Note of such Lender in the case of an existing Lender) a Competitive Note in the amount of the new Revolving Committed Amount substantially in the form of the Competitive Note attached hereto as Schedule 2.2(f) (but, in the case of a new Competitive Note given to an existing Lender, with notation thereon that it is given in substitution for and replacement of the original Competitive Note or any replacement notes thereof). Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that no Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.4(b).

(c) Termination Date. The Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date.

(d)[Intentionally Omitted.]

(e)Change of Control.

 
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(i) As set forth in Sections 2.1(a) above, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to this Section 3.4(e). Subject to the procedures set forth below in this clause (ii) of this Section 3.4(e), upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and the expiration of the 20-day notice period described below, each Lender shall have the right to terminate its Commitment hereunder and require that the Borrower prepay (and the Borrower agrees to so prepay) in full such Lender's outstanding Loans (such amount the "Change of Control Prepayment Amount"), plus accrued and unpaid fees and interest, if any, to the date of prepayment and all other obligations due to such Lender under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

(ii) Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, the Administrative Agent shall mail a notice (the "Change of Control Notice") simultaneously to all Lenders providing each Lender with notice of its rights under this Section 3.4(e) and a period of twenty (20) calendar days to evaluate the Change of Control and make a determination as to whether such Lender will terminate its Commitments and accept payment of the Change of Control Prepayment Amount, or whether such Lender will accept such Change of Control and continue as a Lender hereunder. The period beginning on the effective date of such Change of Control and continuing through the expiration of such twenty (20) notice day period shall be referred to herein as a "Change of Control Standstill Period"). The Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to this Section 3.4(e).

(iii) Lenders electing to have their Loans prepaid pursuant to this Section 3.4(e) shall so notify the Administrative Agent as directed in the Change of Control Notice; provided, however, that failure by any Lender to make a timely response shall be deemed to constitute an election by such Lender to terminate its Commitment and accept prepayment of its Loans. Upon the expiration date of the Change of Control Standstill Period, (A) all Lenders electing to terminate their Commitments (the "Terminating Lenders") shall surrender their Notes to the Administrative Agent at the address specified in Section 11.02, (B) all Notes held by Terminating Lenders shall be cancelled by the Borrower and the Borrower shall pay the applicable Change of Control Prepayment Amounts to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Terminating Lenders, and all other Obligations due to the Terminating Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (C) the Commitments of the Terminating Lenders hereunder shall be terminated and the Revolving Committed Amount shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Commitments so terminated, and (D) and the Commitments of those Lenders not electing to terminate their Commitments shall automatically continue.

(f) General. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 3.5(a), on the date of each termination or reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount, the Facility Fee accrued through the date of such termination or reduction on the amount of the Revolving Committed Amount so terminated or reduced.

 
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3.5 Fees.

(a) Facility Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Facility Fee") on the Revolving Committed Amount computed at a per annum rate for each day during the applicable Facility Fee Calculation Period (hereinafter defined) equal to the Applicable Percentage in effect from time to time. The Facility Fee shall commence to accrue on the Closing Date and shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (and any date that the Revolving Committed Amount is reduced or increased as provided in Section 3.4 and the Termination Date) for the immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof) (each such quarter or portion thereof for which the Facility Fee is payable hereunder being herein referred to as a "Facility Fee Calculation Period"), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.

(b) Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees referred to in the Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter (collectively, the "Administrative Agent’s Fees").

(c) Utilization Fee. During such periods as the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans is greater than or equal to 50% of the Revolving Committed Amount (each such period a "Utilization Fee Period"), the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Utilization Fee") on all Loans outstanding during each such Utilization Fee Period computed at a per annum rate for each day during such period equal to the Applicable Percentage for the Utilization Fee in effect from time to time. The Utilization Fee shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December for all Utilization Fee Periods occurring during the immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.

3.6 Capital Adequacy.

If any Lender determines the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender, any Lending Installation of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender is increased as a result of a Change (as defined below), then, within 15 days of demand by such Lender, the Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount necessary to compensate for any shortfall in the rate of return on the portion of such increased capital which such Lender determines is attributable to this Credit Agreement, its Loans or its obligation to make Loans hereunder (after taking into account such Lender’s policies as to capital adequacy). "Change" means (i) any change after the Closing Date in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines or (ii) any adoption of or change in any other law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline, interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of law) after the Closing Date which affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by any Lender or any Lending Installation or any corporation controlling any Lender. "Risk-Based Capital Guidelines" means (i) the risk-based capital guidelines in effect in the United States on the Closing Date, including transition rules, and (ii) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside the United States implementing the July 1988 report of the Basle Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices Entitled "International Convergence of Capital Measurements and Capital Standards," including transition rules, and any amendments to such regulations adopted prior to the Closing Date.

 
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3.7 Inability To Determine Interest Rate.

If prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (a) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans and (b) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to or continued as Base Rate Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans.

3.8 Illegality.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Credit Agreement, (a) such Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert a Base Rate Loan to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make a Base Rate Loan when a Eurodollar Loan is requested and (c) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 3.11.

3.9 Yield Protection.

If any law or any governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law), or any interpretation thereof, or the compliance of any Lender therewith,

 
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(a)  subjects any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to any tax, duty, charge or withholding on or from payments due from the Borrower (excluding federal taxation of the overall net income of any Lender or applicable Lending Installation), or changes the basis of taxation of payments to any Lender in respect of its Loans or other amounts due it hereunder;

(b) imposes or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment, insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirements against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation (other than reserves and assessments taken into account in determining the Base Rate);

and the result of which is to increase the cost to any Lender of making, funding or maintaining loans or reduces any amount receivable by any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation in connection with loans, or requires any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to make any payment calculated by reference to the amount of loans held or interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by such Lender;

then, within 15 days of demand by such Lender, the Borrower shall pay such Lender that portion of such increased expense incurred or reduction in an amount received which such Lender determines is attributable to making, funding and maintaining its Loans and its Commitments. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

3.10 Withholding Tax Exemption.

Each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof shall:

(a)    (i) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement or Notes to such Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (A) two (2) duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes and (B) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax;

(ii) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and

 
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(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent; or

(b) in the case of any such Lender that is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (i) represent to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) that it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) agree to furnish to the Borrower on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent two (2) accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, or successor applicable form certifying to such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to payments to be made under this Credit Agreement and any Notes (and to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) further copies of such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms), and (iii) agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from withholding with respect to payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes;

unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in either case. Each Person that shall become a Lender or a participant of a Lender pursuant to subsection 10.3 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the forms, certifications and statements required pursuant to this subsection, provided that in the case of a participant of a Lender the obligations of such participant of a Lender pursuant to this Section 3.10 shall be determined as if the participant of a Lender were a Lender except that such participant of a Lender shall furnish all such required forms, certifications and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

3.11 Indemnity.

The Borrower promises to indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (other than through such Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.11 shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 
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3.12 Pro Rata Treatment.

Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:

(a) Loans. Each Loan, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Loan, each payment of interest on the Loans, each payment of Facility Fees, each payment of Utilization Fees, each reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any Loan, shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans and Participation Interests. With respect to Competitive Loans, if the Borrower fails to specify the particular Competitive Loan or Loans as to which any payment or other amount should be applied and it is not otherwise clear as to the particular Competitive Loan or Loans to which such payment or other amounts relate, or any such payment or other amount is to be applied to Competitive Loans without regard to any such direction by the Borrower, then each payment or prepayment of principal on Competitive Loans and each payment of interest or other amount on or in respect of Competitive Loans, shall be allocated pro rata among the relevant Lenders of Competitive Loans in accordance with the then outstanding amounts of their respective Competitive Loans.

(b) Advances. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its ratable share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within the time period specified therefor hereunder, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

 
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3.13 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 4:00 P.M. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 4:00 P.M. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Committed Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Committed Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Committed Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Sections 2.1(b) and 3.2 (or, in the case of a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Sections 2.1(b) and 3.2) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in such Committed Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 
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A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary.

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Section 4 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Committed Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.7 are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.7 on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Committed Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.7.

(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

3.14 Sharing of Payments.

The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan or any other obligation owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other Lenders a participation in such Loans and other obligations in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time, as shall be equitable to the end that all Lenders share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Lenders further agree among themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit (together with its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto) to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan or other obligation in the amount of such participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Administrative Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall be made together with interest thereon for each date from the date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.13 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this Section 3.13 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

 
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3.15 Payments, Computations, Etc. 

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments hereunder (other than payments in respect of Competitive Loans) shall be made to the Administrative Agent in dollars in immediately available funds, without offset, deduction, counterclaim or withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent’s office specified in Schedule 2.1(a) not later than 4:00 P.M. on the date when due. Payments received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment which is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent (with notice to the Borrower). The Borrower shall, at the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement (other than payments in respect of Competitive Loans), specify to the Administrative Agent the Loans, Fees, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails so to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to the terms of Section 3.12(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute such payments to such Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to 12:00 Noon on a Business Day in like funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent will distribute such payment to such Lenders on the next succeeding Business Day. All payments of principal and interest in respect of Competitive Loans shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 2.2. Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such extension), except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then such payment shall instead be made on the next preceding Business Day. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days, except with respect to computation of interest on Base Rate Loans which (unless the Base Rate is determined by reference to the Federal Funds Rate) shall be calculated based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.

 
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(b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of the Loans, Fees or any other amounts outstanding under any of the Credit Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Administrative Agent in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Documents;

SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent;

THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each of the Lenders in connection with enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents or otherwise with respect to amounts owing to such Lender;

FOURTH, to the payment of accrued fees and interest;

FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans;

SIXTH, to all other amounts and other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents or otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST" through "FIFTH" above; and

SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; and (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Loans) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses "THIRD", "FOURTH", "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above.

 
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3.16 Evidence of Debt.

(a) Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 10.3(c) hereof, and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from or for the account of the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof. The Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to promptly update such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.

(c) The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.15 (and, if consistent with the entries of the Administrative Agent, subsection (a)) shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary, evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

3.17 Replacement of Lenders.

In the event any Lender delivers to the Borrower any notice in accordance with Sections 3.6, 3.8, 3.9 or 3.10, then the Borrower shall have the right, if no Default or Event of Default then exists, to replace such Lender (the "Replaced Lender") with one or more additional banks or financial institutions (collectively, the "Replacement Lender"), provided that (A) at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 3.16, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more Assignment and Assumptions pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, Section 10.3(b) (and with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 10.3(b) to be paid by the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the rights and obligations of the Replaced Lender hereunder and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the sum of (a) the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender, and (b) all accrued, but theretofore unpaid, fees owing to the Replaced Lender pursuant to Section 3.5(a), and (B) all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Replaced Lender (including all obligations, if any, owing pursuant to Section 3.6, 3.8 or 3.9, but excluding those obligations specifically described in clause (A) above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such replacement.

 
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SECTION 4

CONDITIONS

4.1 Closing Conditions.

The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to make the initial Loans shall be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received original counterparts of this Credit Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto;

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Revolving Note for each Lender requesting a Revolving Note, executed by the Borrower;

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Competitive Note for each Lender requesting a Competitive Note, executed by the Borrower;

(d) [intentionally omitted];

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents it may reasonably request relating to the existence and good standing of the Borrower, the corporate or other necessary authority for and the validity of the Credit Documents, and any other matters relevant thereto, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a legal opinion of Harry L. Goldsmith, Esq., general counsel for the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Schedule 4.1(f);

(g) Since August 27, 2005 there shall not have occurred or otherwise exist an event or condition which has a Material Adverse Effect;

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for its own account and for the accounts of the Lenders, all fees and expenses required by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to be paid on or before the Closing Date;

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all obligations due and owing under the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the date hereof will be, paid in full;

 
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(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all obligations due and owing under the Existing 364-Day Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the date hereof will be, paid in full and such facility terminated;

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the "Closing Date" under the Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement shall have occurred simultaneously;

(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the effectiveness of the Term Loan Amendment shall have occurred simultaneously; and

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents, agreements or information which may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

4.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.

The obligations of each Lender to make, convert or extend any Loan (including the initial Loans) hereunder are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in addition to satisfaction on the Closing Date of the conditions set forth in Section 4.1:

(a) The Borrower shall have delivered in the case of any Revolving Loan to the Administrative Agent, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Extension/Conversion,;

(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 shall be, subject to the limitations set forth therein, true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date);

(c) There shall not have been commenced against the Borrower an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Borrower or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or unbonded;

(d) No Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto; and

(e) Immediately after giving effect to the making of such Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount.

The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing and each Notice of Extension/Conversion shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the correctness of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

 
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SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower hereby represents to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

5.1 Financial Position; No Internal Control Event.

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of August 27, 2005 and the audited consolidated statements of earnings and statements of cash flows for the year ended August 27, 2005 have heretofore been furnished to each Lender. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) (a) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, (b) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and (c) present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods. During the period from August 27, 2005 to and including the Closing Date, there has been no sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any material part of the business or property of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no purchase or other acquisition by any of them of any business or property (including any capital stock of any other person) material in relation to the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case, which, is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto and has not otherwise been disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date. Since August 27, 2005, through and including the Closing Date, there has not occurred an event or condition which has had a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) To the best knowledge of the Borrower, no Internal Control Event exists or has occurred since the date of the Audited Financial Statements through the Closing Date.

5.2 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, except to the extent that the failure to have such legal right would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance with all material Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
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5.3 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.

The Borrower has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party, and in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Credit Documents to which the Borrower is a party. This Credit Agreement has been, and each other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party will be, duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower. This Credit Agreement constitutes, and each other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party when executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

5.4 No Legal Bar.

The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents by the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (a) will not violate any Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or revenues of any of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or contractual obligation, and (c) will not violate or conflict with any provision of the Borrower’s articles of incorporation or by-laws.

5.5 No Material Litigation.

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.5, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its properties before any Governmental Authority that (a) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) in any manner draw into question the validity, legality or enforceability of any Credit Document or any transaction contemplated thereby.

5.6 No Default.

Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of their contractual obligations in any respect which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 
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5.7 Ownership of Property; Liens.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien, except for Permitted Liens.

5.8 No Burdensome Restrictions.

Except as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date, no Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.9 Taxes.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, are required to be filed and has paid (a) all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or (b) all taxes shown to be due and payable on any assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any (i) taxes, fees or other charges with respect to which the failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) taxes, fees or other charges the amount or validity of which are currently being contested and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of such Person), and no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

5.10 ERISA.

Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no event or condition has occurred or exists as a result of which any ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan; (iii) each Single Employer Plan and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, each Multiemployer Plan has been maintained, operated, and funded in compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any Plan.

(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in each case, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used in such Plan’s most recent actuarial valuation report), did not exceed as of such valuation date the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.

 
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(c) Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, could be reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate would become subject to any withdrawal liability under ERISA if the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple Employer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or deemed made. Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.

(d) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or may subject the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under any of Section 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

(e) Neither the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliates has any material liability with respect to "expected post-retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 106.

(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement nor the consummation of the financing transactions contemplated thereunder will involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of any of Section 404, 406 or 407 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the Borrower in the preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of the Lenders’ representation in Section 10.15 with respect to their source of funds and is subject, in the event that the source of the funds used by the Lenders in connection with this transaction is an insurance company’s general asset account, to the application of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg. 35,925 (1995), compliance with the regulations issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or the issuance of any other prohibited transaction exemption or similar relief, to the effect that assets in an insurance company’s general asset account do not constitute assets of an "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA of a "plan" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code.

 
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5.11 Governmental Regulations, Etc. 

(a) No part of the pro-ceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" in violation of Regulation U. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in said Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the Loans was or will be incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U or any "margin security" within the meaning of Regulation T. "Margin stock" within the meanings of Regulation U does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use of the proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or Regulation T, U or X.

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended. In addition, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a company.

(c)  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has obtained all licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its respective Property and to the conduct of its business, except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America, or of any state, city, town, municipality, county or any other jurisdiction, or of any agency thereof (including without limitation, environmental laws and regulations), except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is current with all material reports and documents, if any, required to be filed with any state or federal securities commission or similar agency and is in full compliance in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of such commissions, except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
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5.12 Subsidiaries.

Schedule 5.12 sets forth all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the Closing Date, the jurisdiction of their organization and the direct or indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein.

5.13 Purpose of Loans.

The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used solely by the Borrower to (a) to refinance existing Indebtedness of the Borrower under existing credit agreements, (b) repurchase stock in the Borrower, (c) to finance acquisitions to the extent permitted under this Credit Agreement and (d) for the working capital, commercial paper back up, capital expenditures and other lawful corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

5.14 Disclosure.

No certificate (including any financial statements or other documents or attached thereto) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Credit Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
 
5.15 Taxpayer Identification Number.

The Borrower's true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 10.1.

SECTION 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

6.1 Information Covenants.

The Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders:

 
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(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) the 100th day after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the day that is ten (10) Business Days after the date the Borrower's annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed with the SEC, as of the end of such fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by (i) a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or another Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and applicable Securities Laws and shall not be subject to any "going concern" or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit or with respect to the absence of any material misstatement and (ii) an opinion of such Registered Public Accounting Firm independently assessing the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Item 308 of SEC Regulation S-K, PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2, and Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley expressing a conclusion that contains no statement that there is a material weakness in such internal controls, except for such material weaknesses that have been (x) disclosed to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Borrower’s filing with the SEC of a notice of such material weakness shall be deemed disclosure to the Administrative Agent), who in turn discloses such material weaknesses to the Lenders, and (y) remedied or otherwise diligently addressed (or in the process of being diligently addressed) by the Borrower in accordance with recommendations made by the Borrower's external auditors in consultation with the Borrower.

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending May 6, 2006, as soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) the 50th day after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the day that is five (5) Business Days after the date the Borrower's quarterly report on Form 10-Q is required to be filed with the SEC, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related condensed consolidated balance sheet, a condensed consolidated statement of income and a condensed consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, except for the condensed consolidated balance sheet that will be presented in comparative form to the Borrower’s most recent audited consolidated balance sheet, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments.

 
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(c) Officer’s Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Schedule 6.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (iii) certifying as to the Borrower's current senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody's.

(d) Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, (a) copies of any filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q or 10-K and any other material filings or registrations with the SEC, or any successor agency, and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, material notices and material reports as the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall send to its shareholders or to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in its capacity as such a holder and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, all reports and written information to and from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environ-mental matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency respon-sible for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities concerning environmental, health or safety matters.

(e) Notices. The Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent (a) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, (b) upon the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Person which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the institution of any proceedings against such Person with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of any notice or determination concerning the imposition of any withdrawal liability by a Multiemployer Plan against such Person or any ERISA Affiliate, the determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or the termination of any Plan, (c) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of any change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that the Borrower’s external auditors consider to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiary, and (d) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of the determination by the Registered Public Accounting Firm providing the opinion required under Section 6.1(a)(ii) (in connection with its preparation of such opinion) or the Borrower's determination at any time of the occurrence or existence of any Internal Control Event.

 
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(f) ERISA. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within five business days) of: (i) of any event or condition, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an ERISA Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates, or of a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make full payment on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts which the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Code with respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan that reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, together with a description of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by a Financial Officer of the Borrower briefly setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such additional information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code, respectively, for each "plan year" (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).

(g) Change of Control; Reorganization. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will promptly provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with (i) written notice of any actual or expected Change of Control or Reorganization, (ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control or Reorganization (including the information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, each after giving effect to such Change of Control or Reorganization, as the case may be), and (iii) such additional information and documents regarding such Change of Control or Reorganization as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender.

(h) Debt Rating. No later than five (5) days after a Financial Officer obtains knowledge of any such issuance of change, give notice to the Administrative Agent (by telephone, followed promptly by written notice transmitted by facsimile with a hard copy sent promptly thereafter) of any issuance of change (either expressly or pursuant to a letter from S&P or Moody’s stating an "implied" rating), in rating by S&P or Moody’s in respect of the Borrower’s non-credit enhanced senior long-term debt (secured or unsecured), together with details thereof.

(i) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.

 
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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (b) or (d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed in Section 10.1; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of all officer’s certificates delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(c) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier, electronic mail or automatic electronic notification via the Borrower’s website) of the posting of any documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (b) or (d). Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the officer's certificate required by Section 6.1(c) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such officer's certificates required by Section 6.1(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, "Borrower Materials") by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the "Platform") and (b) certain of the Lenders may be "public-side" Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a "Public Lender"). The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as it is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities, (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be made available by means of the Platform and shall be clearly and conspicuously marked "PUBLIC" which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word "PUBLIC" shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials "PUBLIC," the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws, it being understood that certain of such Borrower Materials may be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (y) all Borrower Materials marked "PUBLIC" are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated "Public Investor;" and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked "PUBLIC" as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated "Public Investor". Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials "Public".

 
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6.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises.

Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, franchises and authority.

6.3 Books and Records.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves).

6.4 Compliance with Law.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property if noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation, order or restriction would have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.

Except as otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of the definition of "Permitted Liens" set forth in Section 1.1, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties, before they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties, and (c) except as prohibited hereunder, all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due.

6.6 Insurance.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain in full force and effect insurance, which may include self insurance, in such amounts and covering such risks as is consistent with sound business practices and similarly situated corporations.

6.7 Maintenance of Property.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to the conduct of its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto as may be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses.

 
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6.8 Use of Proceeds.

The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes set forth in Section 5.13.

6.9 Audits/Inspections.

Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect its property, including its books and records, its accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative Agent or its representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of such Person.

6.10 Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR Ratio.

The Borrower shall cause the ratio of Consolidated Adjusted Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio.

The Borrower shall cause the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to be no less than 2.50 to 1.0.


SECTION 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

7.1 Liens.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of their Property, whether now owned or after acquired, except for Permitted Liens.

7.2 Nature of Business.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, substantively alter the character or conduct of the business conducted by any such Person as of the Closing Date.

 
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7.3 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

(a) except in connection with a disposition of assets permitted by the terms of subsection (c) below, dissolve, liquidate or wind up their affairs;

(b) enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; provided, however, that, so long as no Default or Event of Default would be directly or indirectly caused as a result thereof, (i) the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries provided that the Borrower is the surviving corporation; (ii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower; (iii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may merge or consolidate with any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) provided that (A) the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (B) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder; and (iv) the Borrower may consummate the Reorganization pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of this Section 7.3.

(c) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of Property owned by and material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than (i) any such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower), provided, however, for the purposes of this subsection (c), sale-leaseback transactions entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to the extent the aggregate amount with respect to all such transactions entered into after the Closing Date does not exceed $500,000,000; and, provided further, the Borrower may consummate the Reorganization pursuant to and in accordance with the last paragraph of this Section 7.3; or

(d) except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b), acquire all or any portion of the capital stock or securities of any other Person or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) all or any substantial part of the Property of any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to make acquisitions of the type referred to in this Section 7.3(d), so long as such acquisitions are non-hostile and (ii) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to any such acquisition (including but not limited to any Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith), no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder.

 
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the Borrower will be permitted to effect an internal reorganization that will result in the AutoZone parent company changing its state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware and that will be accomplished either by (i) the Borrower merging with and into a new wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, which Subsidiary (x) will be incorporated in the state of Delaware and the surviving corporation of such merger, (y) shall, as a result of such merger, assume by operation of law all of the rights and obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, and (z) shall, immediately after the consummation of such merger, have management and controlling ownership substantially similar to that of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or (ii) the Borrower becoming a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a new holding company incorporated in the State of Delaware, the outstanding capital stock of which holding company will be owned by the current shareholders of the Borrower (either such transaction, the "Reorganization"). The Lenders hereby agree that the Borrower shall be permitted to consummate the Reorganization so long as (i) the consummation of the Reorganization shall not result in a material and adverse impact to the interests of the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the Notes, and (ii) after giving effect to the Reorganization, (A) the Borrower become a wholly-owned subsidiary of a corporation organized in the State of Delaware and (B) that the management and controlling ownership of such parent corporation immediately after the consummation of the Reorganization be substantially similar to that of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization. The Borrower hereby agrees (i) to provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such additional information and documents related to the Reorganization as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender and (ii) to execute within a reasonable time after consummation of the Reorganization (not to exceed sixty (60) days unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent) such appropriate amendments, corporate authority documents and other supporting documents to or under the Credit Agreement evidencing any changes made necessary by the consummation of the Reorganization (including, without limitation, (x) in the event the Borrower merges with and into a new wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, a legal opinion of Borrower’s counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent’s legal counsel, addressing the enforceability of the Credit Documents with respect to such surviving Subsidiary and (y) in the event that the Borrower becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of a new parent holding company incorporated in Delaware, a guaranty by such new parent holding company of the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement) and such other changes as may be mutually agreed to by the Borrower (or its successor, if applicable) and the parties hereto, each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Borrower (or its successor, if applicable), the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders. The Borrower acknowledges that the agreement of the Lenders evidenced in this paragraph is given in reliance upon the foregoing conditions and agreements and shall be deemed revoked if any such condition or agreement is breached.

7.4 Fiscal Year.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year without first obtaining the written consent of the Required Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

7.5 Subsidiary Indebtedness.

The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 7.5 (and any renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof on terms and conditions no more favorable, in the aggregate, to such creditor than such existing Indebtedness and in a principal amount not in excess of that outstanding as of the date of such renewal, refinancing or extension);

 
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(b) intercompany Indebtedness owed by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or to another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(c) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred after the Closing Date to provide all or a portion of the purchase price of short-lived assets (such as trucks and computer equipment) which may be treated as Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 in any fiscal year;

(d) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred in connection with synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or similar off-balance sheet financings in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 in any two consecutive fiscal years;

(e) Indebtedness of the Mexican Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount for all Mexican Subsidiaries not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

(f) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding.


SECTION 8

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default.

An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

(a) Payment. The Borrower shall

(i) default in the payment when due of any principal of any of the Loans, or

(ii) default, and such default shall continue for five (5) or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans, or of any Fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or therewith; or

(b) Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made; or

 
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(c) Covenants. The Borrower shall

(i) default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 6.2, 6.8, 6.10, 6.11 or 7.1 through 7.3, inclusive, and 7.5, or

(ii) default in the due performance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 6.1 and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 5 days after the earlier of a responsible officer of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent.

(iii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this Section 8.1) contained in this Credit Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of a responsible officer of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent; or

(d) Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(e) Other Indebtedness. With respect to any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit Agreement or owing to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) in excess of $35,000,000 in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness, or (B) default in the observance or performance relating to such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or permit, the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to the applicable maturity date, but after the expiration of all applicable grace periods, and such Indebtedness shall not be repaid when due; or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof and shall not be repaid when due; or

(f) Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving a liability of $25,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance) and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof, or if longer, within the applicable appeal period (but in no event for more than 90 days from the entry thereof); or

 
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(g) ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such event or condition reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) any "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (2) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (3) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in (i) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency or (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) such Plan; or (4) any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may subject the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

8.2 Acceleration; Remedies.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders or cured to the satisfaction of the Required Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in Section 10.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the following actions:

(a) Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

(b) Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and any and all other indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

(c) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Credit Documents and all rights of set-off.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(d) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all Loans, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder in respect thereof automatically shall immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

 
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SECTION 9

AGENCY PROVISIONS

9.1 Appointment and Authority.

Each Lender hereby designates and appoints Bank of America as administrative agent (in such capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, the "Administrative Agent") of such Lender to act as specified herein and the other Credit Documents, and each such Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent as the agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated by the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere herein and in the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, or shall otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Borrower shall have no rights as a third party beneficiary of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with or for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.

9.2 Delegation of Duties.

The Administrative Agent may execute any of its respective duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties; provided that the use of any agents or attorneys-in-fact shall not relieve the Administrative Agent of its duties hereunder.

9.3 Exculpatory Provisions.

The Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall not be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection herewith or in connection with any of the other Credit Documents (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower contained herein or in any of the other Credit Documents or in any certificate, report, document, financial statement or other written or oral statement referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection herewith or in connection with the other Credit Documents, or enforceability or sufficiency therefor of any of the other Credit Documents, or for any failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for the effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Credit Agreement, or any of the other Credit Documents or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made by the Borrower in any written or oral statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, certificates or any other documents in connection herewith or therewith furnished or made by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders or by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or of the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.

 
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9.4 Reliance on Communications.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, facsimile, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Borrower, independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care). The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lenders as the owner of their respective interests hereunder for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.3(b) hereof. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or to the extent specifically provided in Section 10.6, all the Lenders) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders (including their successors and assigns).

9.5 Notice of Default.

The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to the Credit Document, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders.

 
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9.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

Each Lender expressly acknowledges that each of the Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has not made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent or any affiliate thereof hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower or its Affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Credit Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, assets, property, financial or other conditions, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 
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9.7 Indemnification.

The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Commitments (or if the Commitments have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of outstanding Loans and Participation Interests of the Lenders), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including without limitation at any time following the final payment of all of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Credit Documents) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such in any way relating to or arising out of this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent. If any indemnity furnished to the Administrative Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, the Administrative Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished. The agreements in this Section shall survive the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.

9.8 Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.

Bank of America and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with each of the Borrower and its respective Affiliates as though Bank of America were not the Administrative Agent hereunder, as applicable, and without notice to or consent of the Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Bank of America and its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Borrower or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans, Bank of America shall have the same rights and powers under the Credit Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise such rights and powers as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" include Bank of America, in its individual capacity.

 
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9.9 Successor Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent may at any time resign upon 20 days' written notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States; provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such successor Administrative Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section and (3) the retiring Administrative Agent will provide to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonable access to the Register and/or copies of each Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.7 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

9.10 Syndication Agent.

The Syndication Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have no rights, powers, duties or obligations under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

 
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SECTION 10

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices.

(a) Notices Generally. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when delivered, (ii) when transmitted and received (by confirmation of receipt) via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the number set out below, (iii) the day on which the same has been delivered by a reputable national overnight air courier service to the addressee, or (iv) the day on which the same is delivered to the addressee or delivery refused by the addressee by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at the address, in the case of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.1, and, in the case of the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto.
 
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Section 2 if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the "return receipt requested" function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. FURTHERMORE, THE BORROWER DOES NOT WARRANT THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the "Agent Parties") have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 
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(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon, in good faith, any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower and reasonably understood by the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, as applicable, to be authentic even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower (but excluding any such losses, costs, expenses and liabilities that (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such Related Party or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against the Administrative Agent or such Related Party for breach in bad faith of such party’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 
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10.2 Right of Set-Off.

In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind (all of which rights being hereby expressly waived), to set-off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation, branches, agencies or Affiliates of such Lender wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against obligations and liabilities of such Person to such Lender hereunder, under the Notes or the other Credit Documents, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder and although such obligations, liabilities or claims, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, and any such set-off shall be deemed to have been made immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default even though such charge is made or entered on the books of such Lender subsequent thereto. Any Person purchasing a participation in the Loans and Commitments hereunder pursuant to Section 3.13 or Section 10.3(d) may exercise all rights of set-off with respect to its participation interest as fully as if such Person were a Lender hereunder.

10.3 Successors and Assigns. 

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender other than in connection with a Reorganization permitted by Section 7.3 hereof and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(d), (iii) to an SPV in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(g) or (iv) by way of a pledge of its Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Credit Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans at the time owing to it; provided, that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 
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(i) Minimum Amounts.
 
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment under any Facility and the Loans at the time owing to it under such Facility or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities on a non-pro rata basis;

(iii) Required Consents. The following consents shall be required for any assignment (subject to the applicable limitations set forth below):

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable Facility or an Affiliate of such Lender; and

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount, if any, required as set forth in Schedule 10.3(b) (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 
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(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.3(d).

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the Register and to promptly update the Register from time to time, as necessary (including with regard to assignments of Loans and transfers of Notes). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Credit Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.6 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.3(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.2 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.13 as though it were a Lender.

 
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(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.10 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.10 as though it were a Lender.

(f) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words "execution," "signed," "signature," and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(g) Special Purpose Funding Vehicles. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a "Granting Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an "SPV") the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 3.14. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPV nor the exercise by any SPV of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Credit Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3.04), (ii) no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Credit Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Credit Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and with the payment of a processing fee in the amount of $2,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.
 
 
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10.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.

No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any Lender and the Borrower shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

10.5 Payment of Expenses, etc.
 
The Borrower agrees to: (a) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (i) of the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers (and their respective Affiliates) in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery and administration of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, subject to any agreed upon limitations, the reasonable fees and expenses of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, special counsel to the Administrative Agent and non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) and any amendment, waiver or consent relating hereto and thereto including, but not limited to, any such amendments, waivers or consents resulting from or related to any work-out, renegotiation or restructure relating to the performance by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement and (ii) of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (and their respective Affiliates) in connection with enforcement of the Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, without limitation, in connection with any such enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) for the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders); (b) pay and hold each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all future stamp and other similar taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and save each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission (other than to the extent attributable to such Lender) to pay such taxes; and (c) indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender, and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and Affiliates (each an "Indemnitee") from and hold each of them harmless against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of (i) any investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto, but excluding any investigation initiated by the Person seeking indemnification hereunder) related to the entering into and/or performance of any Credit Document or the use of proceeds of any Loans (including other extensions of credit) hereunder or the consummation of any other transactions contemplated in any Credit Document, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding or (ii) the presence or Release of any Materials of Environmental Concern at, under or from any Property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or the failure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with any Environmental Law (but excluding, in the case of either of clause (i) or (ii) above, any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses that (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Credit Agreement, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date).

 
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10.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.

Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the Borrower, provided, however, that:

(a) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest (other than as a result of (x) waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates or (y) an amendment approved by the Required Lenders as set forth in the definition of "Applicable Percentage" following the withdrawal by S&P and Moody’s of their ratings on the Borrower’s senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt) on any Loan or fees hereunder, (ii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any fees owing hereunder, (iii) extend (A) the Commitments of the Lenders, or (B) the final maturity of any Loan, or any portion thereof, or (iv) reduce the principal amount on any Loan;

 
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(b) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) except as otherwise permitted under Section 3.4(b), increase the Commitments of the Lenders over the amount thereof in effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 10.6 or Section 3.6, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 8.1(a), 10.2, 10.3, 10.5 or 10.9, (iii) reduce or increase any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the definition of "Required Lenders," or (iv) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents to which it is a party;

(c) no provision of Section 9 may be amended without the consent of the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; and

(d) designation of the Master Account or of any Financial Officer may not be made without the written consent of at least two Financial Officers of the Borrower.

10.7 Counterparts.

This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.

10.8 Headings.

The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Credit Agreement.

10.9 Survival.

All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in Section 3.9, 3.11, 9.7 or 10.5 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder, and all representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans hereunder.

 
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10.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.

(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the State of New York in New York County, or of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 10.1, such service to become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction.

(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) hereof and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

10.11 Severability.

If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.

10.12 Entirety.

This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

 
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10.13 Binding Effect; Termination.

(a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

(b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.

10.14 Confidentiality.

The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to keep confidential (and to cause their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives to keep confidential) all information, materials and documents furnished to the Administrative Agent or any such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower (whether before or after the Closing Date) which relates to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Information"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be permitted to disclose Information (i) to its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives in connection with its participation in any of the transactions evidenced by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents or the administration of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents; (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or requested by any Governmental Authority; (iii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Credit Agreement or any agreement entered into pursuant to clause (iv) below, (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (C) was available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to the Administrative Agent or such Lender by the Borrower; (iv) to any actual or prospective assignee, participant or counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap, hedge, securitization or derivative transaction relating to any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or relating to the Borrower and its obligations so long as such actual or prospective assignee, participant or counterparty (or its advisor) first specifically agrees in a writing furnished to and for the benefit of the Borrower to be bound by that terms of this Section 10.14; (v) to the extent required in connection with the exercise of remedies under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents; or (vi) to the extent that the Borrower shall have consented in writing to such disclosure. Nothing set forth in this Section 10.14 shall obligate the Administrative Agent or any Lender to return any materials furnished by the Borrower.

 
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10.15 Source of Funds.

 
Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to the source of funds used by such Lender in connection with the financing hereunder:
 
(a) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any separate account (as such term is defined in Section 3(17) of ERISA) maintained by such Lender in which any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest;
 
(b) the source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTE") 90-1 (issued  by the United States Department of Labor January 29, 1990), or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of PTE 91-38 (issued June 12, 1991 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002)), the requirements of Section III(b) of PTE 90-1 or Section III(b) of PTE 91-38 are and will continue to be satisfied, and no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund;
 
(c) the source is an "insurance company general account" within the meaning of PTE 95-60 (issued July 12, 1995 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002)) and there is no employee benefit plan, treating as a single plan all plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization, with respect to which the amount of the general account reserves and liabilities for all contracts held by or on behalf of such plan, exceeds ten percent (10%) of the total reserves and liabilities of such general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus, as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement for such Lender most recently filed with such Lender's state of domicile;
 
(d) the source constitutes assets of an "investment fund" (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 issued March 13, 1984 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002) (the "QPAM Exemption")) managed by a "qualified professional asset manager" or "QPAM" (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), and the applicable conditions of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied; or
 
(e) such funds constitute assets of one or more employee benefit plans which such Lender has identified in writing to the Borrower.
 
As used in this Section 10.15, the term "employee benefit plan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(3) of ERISA.
 
10.16 Conflict.

To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.

 
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10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

10.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or either Arranger has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby; and (v) the Administrative Agent and Arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby.

[Signature Pages to Follow]
 
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AUTOZONE, INC.

By: /s/ James A. Cook III
Name: James A. Cook III
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

By: /s/ Harry L. Goldsmith
Name: Harry L. Goldsmith
Title: Executive Vice President, Secretary &
General Counsel


 
 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:                         BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

By: /s/ Mollie S. Camp
Name: Mollie S. Camp
Title: Vice President

 
 

 


LENDERS                          BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Dan Killian
Name: Dan M. Killian
Title: Senior Vice President


CITICORP USA, INC.

By: /s/ P. Nesbit
Name: P. Nesbit
Title: Director
 
 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

By: /s/ Barry Bergman
Name: Barry Bergman
Title: Managing Director
 
 

 

SunTrust Bank

By: /s/ Bryan W. Ford
Name: Bryan W. Ford
Title: Director
 
 

 


Wachovia Bank, National Association

By: /s/ Anthony D. Braxton
Name: Anthony D. Braxton
Title: Director

MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA

By: /s/ David Millett
Name: David Millett
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

BNP PARIBAS

By: /s/ Brad Ellis
Name: Brad Ellis
Title: Vice President

By: /s/ Aurora Abella
Name: Aurora Abella
Title: Vice President

KeyBank National Association

By: /s/ Marianne T. Meil
Name: Marianne T. Meil
Title: Senior Vice president
 
 
 

 


National City Bank

By: /s/ Michael J. Durbin
Name: Michael J. Durbin
Title: Senior Vice President


Union Bank of California, N.A.

By: /s/ Theresa L. Rocha
Name: Theresa L. Rocha
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

[US Bank National Association]

By: /s/ Heather Hinkelman
Name: Heather Hinkelman
Title: Banking Officer



The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Houston Agency

By: /s/ Douglas M. Barnell
Name: Douglas M. Barnell
Title: Vice President & Manager
 
 

 

Calyon New York Branch

By: /s/ David P. Cagle
Name: David P. Cagle
Title: Managing Director

By: /s/ Brian Myers
Name: Brian Myers
Title: Managing Director

Fifth Third Bank

By: /s/ John K. Perez
Name: John K. Perez
Title: Vice President



FORTIS CAPITAL CORP

By: /s/ R.L.A. Rutgers van Rozenburg
Name: R.L.A. Rutgers van Rozenburg
Title:

By: /s/ Daniel M. Jaffe
Name: Daniel M. Jaffe
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

By: /s/ Zach Johnson
Name: Zach Johnson
Title: Senior Vice President
 
 

 

Comerica Bank

By: /s/ Heather Whiting
Name: Heather Whiting
Title: Assistant Vice President
 
 

 

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

By: /s/ Bertram Tang
Name: Bertram Tang
Title: Senior Vice President & Team Leader
 
 

 

AmSouth Bank

By: /s/ Elizabeth H. Vaughn
Name: Elizabeth H. Vaughn
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

The Bank of New York

By: /s/ Scott DeTraglia
Name: Scott DeTraglia
Title: Vice President



FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By: /s/ Michael S. Roseman
Name: Michael S. Roseman
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

The Northern Trust Company

By: /s/ Thomas R. Hasenauer
Name: Thomas R. Hasenauer
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY

By: /s/ Roberts A. Bass
Name: Roberts A. Bass
Title: Senior Vice President
 
 

 

Capital One, N.A.

By: /s/ Julie Nosser
Name: Julie Nosser
Title: Assistant Vice President

Exhibit 10.5

[Published CUSIP Number: ________________]

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 5, 2006

among

AUTOZONE, INC.,
as Borrower,

THE SEVERAL LENDERS
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

AND

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender

and

CITICORP USA, INC.,
as Syndication Agent
______________________________________________________________

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
and


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
SUNTRUST BANK,
as Co-Documentation Agents


 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS
2
1.1
Definitions.
2
1.2
Computation of Time Periods.
21
1.3
Accounting Terms.
21
1.4
Time of Day.
21
SECTION 2 CREDIT FACILITIES
21
2.1
Revolving Loans.
21
2.2
Competitive Loan Subfacility.
23
2.3
Swingline Loan Subfacility.
26
2.4
Letters of Credit.
28
SECTION 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES
38
3.1
Default Rate.
38
3.2
Extension and Conversion.
38
3.3
Prepayments.
39
3.4
Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Committed Amount.
40
3.5
Fees.
43
3.6
Capital Adequacy.
45
3.7
Inability To Determine Interest Rate.
45
3.8
Illegality.
45
3.9
Yield Protection.
46
3.10
Withholding Tax Exemption.
46
3.11
Indemnity.
48
3.12
Pro Rata Treatment.
48
3.13
Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
49
3.14
Sharing of Payments.
51
3.15
Payments, Computations, Etc.
51
3.16
Evidence of Debt.
53
3.17
Replacement of Lenders.
54
SECTION 4 CONDITIONS
54
4.1
Closing Conditions.
54
4.2
Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.
55
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
56
5.1
Financial Condition; No Internal Control Event.
56
5.2
Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.
57
5.3
Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
57
5.4
No Legal Bar.
58
5.5
No Material Litigation.
58
5.6
No Default.
58
5.7
Ownership of Property; Liens.
58
5.8
No Burdensome Restrictions.
58
 
 
i

 
5.9
Taxes.
59
5.10
ERISA.
59
5.11
Governmental Regulations, Etc.
60
5.12
Subsidiaries.
61
5.13
Purpose of Loans.
61
5.14
Disclosure.
61
5.15
Taxpayer Identification Number.
62
SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
62
6.1
Information Covenants.
62
6.2
Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
66
6.3
Books and Records.
66
6.4
Compliance with Law.
66
6.5
Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
67
6.6
Insurance.
67
6.7
Maintenance of Property.
67
6.8
Use of Proceeds.
67
6.9
Audits/Inspections.
67
6.10
Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR Ratio.
67
6.11
Interest Coverage Ratio.
68
SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS
68
7.1
Liens.
68
7.2
Nature of Business.
68
7.3
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.
68
7.4
Fiscal Year.
70
7.5
Subsidiary Indebtedness.
70
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT
71
8.1
Events of Default.
71
8.2
Acceleration; Remedies.
73
SECTION 9 AGENCY PROVISIONS
74
9.1
Appointment and Authority.
74
9.2
Delegation of Duties.
74
9.3
Exculpatory Provisions.
75
9.4
Reliance on Communications.
75
9.5
Notice of Default.
76
9.6
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
76
9.7
Indemnification.
77
9.8
Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.
77
9.9
Successor Administrative Agent.
78
9.10
Syndication Agent.
78
SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS
79
10.1
Notices.
79
10.2
Right of Set-Off.
81
10.3
Successors and Assigns.
81
10.4
No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
86
 
 
ii

 
10.5
Payment of Expenses, etc.
86
10.6
Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
87
10.7
Counterparts.
88
10.8
Headings.
88
10.9
Survival.
88
10.10
Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
88
10.11
Severability.
89
10.12
Entirety.
89
10.13
Binding Effect; Amendment and Restatement of Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement; Termination.
90
10.14
Confidentiality.
90
10.15
Source of Funds.
91
10.16
Conflict.
92
10.17
USA PATRIOT Act Notice.
92
10.18
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
92


SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1
 
Applicable Percentage
Schedule 2.1(a)
 
Lenders
Schedule 2.1(b)(i)
 
Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.1(e)
 
Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 2.2(f)
 
Form of Competitive Note
Schedule 2.3(d)
 
Form of Swingline Note
Schedule 2.4
 
Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.2
 
Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 3.4(b)
 
Form of New Commitment Agreement
Schedule 4.1(f)
 
Form of Legal Opinion
Schedule 5.5
 
Material Litigation
Schedule 5.12
 
Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.1(c)
 
Form of Officer’s Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.5
 
Subsidiary Indebtedness
Schedule 10.1
 
Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
Schedule 10.3(a)
 
Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Schedule 10.3(b)
 
Processing and Recordation Fees

 
iii

 


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of May 5, 2006 (the "Credit Agreement"), is by and among AUTOZONE, INC., a Nevada corporation (the "Borrower"), the several lenders identified on the signature pages hereto and such other lenders as may from time to time become a party hereto (the "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"), and CITICORP USA, INC., as syndication agent (in such capacity, the "Syndication Agent").


W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and certain other Persons are party to an Amended and Restated Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 17, 2004 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the "Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement");

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders make certain changes to the terms available to the Borrower under the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement, as more particularly described herein;

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make such changes to the existing credit facilities and to amend and restate the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the effectiveness of such amendment and restatement of the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement, the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement will be amended and restated in its entirety, the financial institutions party thereto will have no further obligations thereunder and will cease to be parties to such agreement and the Borrower (as defined in the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement) will have no further obligations thereunder, except for those obligations that by their terms survive termination of the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 
 

 

SECTION 1

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions.

As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:

"Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.

"Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter" means that certain letter agreement, dated as of April 7, 2006, between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

"Administrative Agent’s Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(b).

"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form  supplied by the Administrative Agent.
 
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i) directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person or (ii) directly or indirectly owning or holding five percent (5%) or more of the equity interest in such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

"Applicable Percentage" means, for purposes of calculating the applicable interest rate for any day for any Revolving Loan, the applicable rate of the Facility Fee for any day for purposes of Section 3.5(a), the applicable rate of the Utilization Fee for any day for the purposes of Section 3.5(c), or the applicable rate of the Letter of Credit Fee for any day for the purposes of 3.5(d)(i), the appropriate applicable percentage set forth on Schedule 1.1. The Applicable Percentages shall be determined and adjusted on the following dates (each a "Calculation Date"):

(i) where the Borrower has a senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody’s, five (5) Business Days after receipt of notice by the Administrative Agent of a change in any such debt rating, based on such debt rating(s); and

(ii) where the Borrower previously had a senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody’s, but either or both of S&P and Moody’s withdraws its rating such that the Borrower’s senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt no longer is rated by either S&P or Moody’s, five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of notice of the withdrawal of the last to exist of such previous debt ratings, based on Pricing Level V until the earlier of (A) such time as S&P and/or Moody’s provides another rating for such debt of the Borrower or (B) the Required Lenders have agreed to an alternative pricing grid or other method for determining Pricing Levels pursuant to an effective amendment to this Credit Agreement.

 
2

 
 
The Applicable Percentage shall be effective from a Calculation Date until the next such Calculation Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the appropriate Applicable Percentages promptly upon receipt of the notices and information necessary to make such determination and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary.

"Arrangers" means Banc of America Securities LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., together with any successors or assigns. 

"Assignee Group" means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one  another.
 
"Assignment and Assumption" means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.3(b), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Schedule 10.3(a) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
 
"Audited Financial Statements" means the audited consolidated balance sheet of  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended August 27, 2005, and the  related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders’ equity and cash  flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes  thereto.
 
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

"Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of any of the following with respect to such Person: (i) a court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there shall be commenced against such Person an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or (iii) such Person shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or for any substantial part of its Property or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Person shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts generally as they become due.

 
3

 
"Base Rate" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

"Borrower" means the Person identified as such in the heading hereof, together with any permitted successors and assigns.

"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be a day on which dealings between banks are carried on in U.S. dollar deposits in London, England and New York, New York.

"Calculation Date" has the meaning set forth in the definition of Applicable Percentage.

"Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

"Cash Collateralize" means the pledge and deposit with or delivery to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the respective L/C Issuers and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the respective L/C Issuers (which documents are hereby consented to by the Lenders). The terms "Cash Collateralized", "Cash Collateral", "Cash Collateralization" and "Cash Collateralizes" shall have corresponding meanings. The Borrower hereby grants the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the respective L/C Issuer and the Lenders, a Lien on all such cash and deposit account balances. Cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing if, upon the termination of the Commitments and an acceleration of the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.2, a Letter of Credit may for any reason remain outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn, the cash collateral required pursuant to Section 2.4(g) may instead, at the option of the Administrative Agent, be held in a blocked, non-interest bearing deposit account of the respective L/C Issuer.

 
4

 
"Change of Control" means either (i) a "person" or a "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of more than 50% of the then outstanding voting stock of the Borrower or (ii) a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower shall consist of individuals who are not Continuing Directors. For purposes hereof, "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, (i) an individual who on the date two years prior to such determination date was a member of the Borrower’s board of directors or (ii) (a) any new director whose nomination for election by the Borrower’s shareholders was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date two years prior to such determination date or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (or who are Continuing Directors pursuant to clause (b) below) or (b) any director who was elected by a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date two years prior to such determination date or whose nomination for election was previously so approved (or who are Continuing Directors pursuant to clause (a) above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Reorganization permitted by under Section 7.3 hereof shall not be deemed a Change of Control for the purposed of this Credit Agreement.

"Change of Control Notice" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Change of Control Prepayment Amount" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Change of Control Standstill Period" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Closing Date" means the date hereof.

"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

"Commercial Credit Business Arrangement" means any agreement between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and an entity that purchases such Person’s commercial accounts receivables with only such limited recourse back to such Person as is customary in factoring arrangements of this type.

 
5

 
"Commitment" means (i) with respect to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender, (ii) with respect to the Swingline Lender, the Swingline Commitment, and (iii) with respect to any L/C Issuer, the commitment to issue, extend and/or amend Letters of Credit under the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

"Commitment Percentage" means, for any Lender, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

"Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Lender to make a Competitive Loan pursuant to the terms of Section 2.2.

"Competitive Bid Rate" means, as to any Competitive Bid made by a Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2, the fixed rate of interest offered by the Lender making the Competitive Bid.

"Competitive Loan" means a loan made by a Lender in its discretion pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2.

"Competitive Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of a Lender delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(f) and evidencing the Competitive Loans, if any, of such Lender, as such promissory note may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.

"Consolidated Adjusted Debt" means, at any time, the sum of, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness and (ii) the product of Consolidated Rents multiplied by 6.0.

"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus all provisions for any Federal, state or other domestic and foreign income taxes plus depreciation and amortization, in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis or otherwise defined herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated EBITDAR" means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Rents. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated EBITR" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, Consolidated EBITDA minus depreciation and amortization plus Consolidated Rents, in each case on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

 
6

 
"Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means, at any time, the outstanding principal amount of all Funded Indebtedness, without duplication and on a consolidated basis, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time.

"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITR to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense plus Consolidated Rents.

"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all interest expense plus the interest component under Capital Leases, in each case on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, net income on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding (i) share-based expenses and all other non-cash charges (other than any such charges that would result in an accrual or a reserve for cash charges in the future); and (ii) non-recurring charges in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 collectively with respect to all periods relevant for the calculation of the financial covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Consolidated Rents" means, for any period for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all rental expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period under operating leases (specifically including rents paid in connection with synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or similar off-balance sheet financing products), on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding rental expense related to any operating lease that has been converted to a Capital Lease. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

"Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this Credit Agreement, the Notes, the L/C Documents (except that L/C Documents shall not constitute Credit Documents for purposes of Section 10.6), the Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter and all other related agreements and documents issued or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.

"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

"Designating Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(e).

"Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

"Eligible Assignee" means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.3(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.3(b)(iii)).
 
"Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable Federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

"ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes the Borrower and which is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

"ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the withdrawal by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA; (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the conditions for imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with respect to any Plan; or (vii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA.

"Eurodollar Base Rate" has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.

 
7

 
"Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

"Eurodollar Rate" means for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:

Eurodollar Rate =
Eurodollar Base Rate 
1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

Where,

"Eurodollar Base Rate" means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate ("BBA LIBOR"), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "Eurodollar Rate" for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time to time under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as such regulation may be amended from time to time or any successor regulation, as the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency, special, or marginal reserves) applicable with respect to Eurocurrency liabilities as that term is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate of Eurodollar Loans is determined), whether or not Lender has any Eurocurrency liabilities subject to such reserve requirement at that time. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credits for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to a Lender. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

 
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"Event of Default" means such term as defined in Section 8.1.

"Existing 364-Day Credit Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement dated as of May 17, 2004 (and extended on May 16, 2005 pursuant to the terms of Section 3.4(c) thereof) by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as syndication agent, as amended, modified, restated, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

"Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit outstanding on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.4.

"Facilities" means a collective reference to (i) the revolving loan facility established pursuant to Section 2.1 and (ii) the revolving loan facility established pursuant to the Four-Year Credit Agreement.

"Facility Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a).

"Facility Fee Calculation Period" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(a).

"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (A) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day and (B) if no such rate is so published on such next preceding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

"Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.

"Financial Officer" means, with respect to the Borrower, the Treasurer, the Controller, the General Counsel, or the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower; provided that the Borrower may designate additional persons or delete persons so authorized by written notice to the Administrative Agent from at least two existing Financial Officers of the Borrower.

"Foreign Lender" means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

"Four-Year Credit Agreement" means that certain Four-Year Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and Citicorp USA, Inc., as syndication agent, as amended, modified, restated, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

 
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"Funded Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person (for purposes of this sentence only, the "Debtor"), without duplication and on a consolidated basis, (i) all Indebtedness of such Debtor for borrowed money; (ii) all purchase money Indebtedness of such Debtor, including without limitation the principal portion of all obligations of such Debtor under Capital Leases; (iii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Debtor with respect to Funded Indebtedness of another Person; (iv) the maximum amount of all (x) drawn and unreimbursed documentary letters of credit, (y) standby letters of credit and (z) bankers acceptances, in each case issued or created for the account of such Debtor and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed); and (v) all Funded Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any Property of such Debtor, whether or not such Funded Indebtedness has been assumed. The Funded Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Funded Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.3 hereof.

"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

"Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.

 
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"Indebtedness" of any Person means (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily made, (iii) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services purchased by such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within six months of the incurrence thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person, (v) all obligations of such Person under take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (vi) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (vii) all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (viii) the principal portion of all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (ix) all obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate protection agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, commodity purchase or option agreements or other interest or exchange rate or commodity price hedging agreements, (x) subject to the proviso below, the maximum amount of all letters of credit issued or bankers’ acceptances created for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (xi) all preferred stock issued by such Person and required by the terms thereof to be redeemed, or for which mandatory sinking fund payments are due, by a fixed date and (xii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness shall not include (i) any documentary letters of credit or other letters of credit used by such Person for the financing of inventory in the ordinary course of business, except to the extent such letters of credit have been drawn upon and unreimbursed or (ii) any amounts received by such Person pursuant to a Commercial Credit Business Arrangement. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer.

"Information" has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.

"Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date and (ii) as to any Eurodollar Loan, any Competitive Loan or any Swingline Loan, the last day of each Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and on the Termination Date, and in addition where the applicable Interest Period is more than 3 months, then also on the date 3 months from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each 3 months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day.

 
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"Interest Period" means (i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, a period of one, two, three or six month’s duration, as the Borrower may elect, commencing in each case, on the date of the borrowing (including conversions, extensions and renewals), (ii) as to any Competitive Loan, a period commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing and ending on the date specified in the applicable Competitive Bid whereby the offer to make such Competitive Loan was extended (such ending date in any event to be no less than one week and not more than 180 days from the date of the borrowing) and (iii) as to any Swingline Loan, a period commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing and ending on the date agreed to by the Borrower and the Swingline Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(b)(i) (such ending date in any event to be not more than seven (7) Business Days from the date of borrowing); provided, however, (A) if any Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date, and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.

"Internal Control Event" means a material weakness in, or fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in, the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting, in each case as described in the Securities Laws or as otherwise determined by the Borrower’s external auditors on a quarterly basis that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in a misstatement in any material respect, in any financial information delivered or to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, of (i) covenant compliance calculations provided hereunder or (ii) the assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that has not been (x) disclosed to the Administrative Agent, who in turn discloses such material weaknesses to the Lenders, and (y) remedied or otherwise diligently addressed (or is in the process of being diligently addressed) by the Borrower in accordance with recommendations made by the Borrower's auditors in consultation with the Borrower.

"ISP" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the "International Standby Practices 1998" published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

"L/C Advance" means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Commitment Percentage.

"L/C Borrowing" means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Loan.

"L/C Credit Extension" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the renewal or increase of the amount thereof.

"L/C Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any collateral security for such obligations.

 
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"L/C Issuer" means (i) SunTrust, Bank of America, Wachovia or, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, any other Lender that has agreed to act as the successor primary issuer of Letters of Credit, (ii) with respect to any Existing Letter of Credit, the Lender that issued (in its capacity as an L/C Issuer hereunder) such Letter of Credit and (iii) with respect to any Letter of Credit requested hereunder, the L/C Issuer that has agreed to issue such Letter of Credit hereunder.

"L/C Issuer Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(d)(ii).

"L/C Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit and honored by an L/C Issuer but not theretofore reimbursed, including all L/C Borrowings.

"Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a "Lender" on the signature pages hereto, and each Person which may become a Lender by way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof, together with their successors and permitted assigns.

"Lending Installation" means, with respect to a Lender or the Administrative Agent, any office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender or the Administrative Agent.

"Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit. A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit.

"Letter of Credit Application" means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a letter of credit in the form from time to time in use by an L/C Issuer.

"Letter of Credit Expiration Date" means the day that is five (5) days prior to the Termination Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

"Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(d)(i).

"Letter of Credit Sublimit" means an amount equal to the lesser of the Revolving Committed Amount and $200,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Committed Amount.

"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any condi-tional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in the nature thereof).

 
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"Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans, the Competitive Loans, the Swingline Loans (or any Swingline Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate or the Quoted Rate and referred to as a Base Rate Loan or a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan) and, to the extent applicable, the L/C Borrowings, individually or collectively, as appropriate.

"Master Account" means such account as may be identified by written notice from at least two Financial Officers of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, assets or liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents or (iii) any aspect of the Borrower or its business that adversely affects the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit Documents.

"Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as such in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

"Mexican Subsidiaries" means, collectively, the following Subsidiaries of the Borrower: AutoZone de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., Zone Compra, S. de R.L. de C.V., Service Zone, S.de R.L. de C.V., Data Zone, S. de R.L. de C.V., Controladora AutoZone, S. de R.L. de C.V., and any other Subsidiary of the Borrower formed after the Closing Date and organized under the laws of Mexico.

"Moody’s" means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

"Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

"New Commitment Agreement" means a New Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 3.4(b), as executed pursuant to Section 3.4(b).

 
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"Note" or "Notes" means any Revolving Note, any Competitive Note or the Swingline Note, as the context may require.

"Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(b)(i), as required by Section 2.1(b)(i).

"Notice of Extension/Conversion" means the written notice of extension or conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2, as required by Section 3.2.

"Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 10.3(d).
 
"Participation Interest" means, the extension of credit by a Lender by way of a purchase of a participation in any Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.3(b)(iii) or in any Loans as provided in Section 3.13.

"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.

"PCAOB" means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

"Permitted Liens" means:

(i) Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders;

(ii) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

(iii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that any such Liens which are material secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

(iv) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 
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(v) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the judgments secured shall, within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay;

(vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

(vii) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(viii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(ix) Liens on assets at the time such assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in accordance with Section 7.3(d); provided that such Liens are not created in contemplation of such acquisition;

(x) Liens on assets of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary in accordance with Section 7.3(d); provided that such Liens are not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(xi) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

(xii) Liens on receivables sold pursuant to a Commercial Credit Business Arrangement;

(xiii) Liens on inventory held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under consignment;

(xiv) Liens on any inventory of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in favor of a vendor of such inventory, arising in the normal course of business upon its sale to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary; and

(xv) other Liens on Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, so long as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own at all times Property (a) unencumbered by any Liens other than Liens permitted by clauses (i) through (xiv) above and (b), having an aggregate fair market value of at least $2,000,000,000.

 
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"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

"Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

"Platform" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1.

"Pricing Level" means the applicable pricing level for the Applicable Percentage shown in Schedule 1.1.

"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

"Quoted Rate" means, with respect to any Quoted Rate Swingline Loan, the fixed percentage rate per annum offered by the Swingline Lender and accepted by the Borrower with respect to such Swingline Loan as provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3.

"Quoted Rate Swingline Loan" means a Swingline Loan bearing interest at a Quoted Rate.

"Register" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 10.3(c).

"Registered Public Accounting Firm" has the meaning specified in the Securities Laws and shall be independent of the Borrower as prescribed by the Securities Laws.

"Regulation D, T, U, or X" means Regulation D, T, U or X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

"Related Parties" means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

"Release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers and other closed receptacles containing any Materials of Environmental Concern).

"Reorganization" shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.03.

 
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"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the notice requirement has been waived by regulation.

"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders which are then in compliance with their obligations hereunder (as determined by the Administrative Agent) and holding in the aggregate more than 50% of (i) the Commitment Percentages or (ii) if the Commitments have been terminated, the outstanding Loans and Participation Interests.

"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its material property is subject.

"Revolving Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.1(a) (as such amount may be reduced or increased from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement), (i) to make Revolving Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1(a), (ii) to purchase participation interests in Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(c), and (iii) to purchase participation interests in the Swingline Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(b)(iii).

"Revolving Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1(a).

"Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.1(a).

"Revolving Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of a Lender delivered pursuant to Section 2.1(e) and evidencing the Revolving Loans of such Lender, as such promissory note may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.

"S&P" means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the business of rating securities.

"Sarbanes-Oxley" means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

"Securities Laws" means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sarbanes-Oxley and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.

 
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"SPV" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3(e).

"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.

"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50% equity interest at any time.
 
"SunTrust" means SunTrust Bank and its successors.

"Swingline Commitment" means the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding of up to the Swingline Committed Amount.

"Swingline Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(a).

"Swingline Lender" means Bank of America.

"Swingline Loan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.3(a).

"Swingline Note" means the promissory note of the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender in the original principal amount of $50,000,000, as such promissory note may be amended, modified, restated or replaced from time to time.

"Syndication Agent" means Citicorp USA, Inc., together with any successors and assigns.

"Term Loan Amendment" means the First Amendment dated on or about the date hereof to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 23, 2004 by and among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Fleet National Bank, as administrative agent, and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent.

"Terminating Lenders" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4(e).

"Termination Date" means May 5, 2010, provided, however that if such date is not a Business Day, the Termination Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

"Unreimbursed Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c)(i).
 
 
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"Utilization Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(c).

"Utilization Fee Period" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.5(c).

"Wachovia" means Wachovia Bank, National Association and its successors.

1.2 Computation of Time Periods.

For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding."

1.3 Accounting Terms.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, consistent with the financial statements as at August 27, 2005); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object to determining such compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing within 30 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.

1.4 Time of Day.

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).


SECTION 2

CREDIT FACILITIES

2.1 Revolving Loans.

 
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(a) Revolving Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make available to the Borrower revolving credit loans requested by the Borrower in Dollars ("Revolving Loans") up to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, or such earlier date as the Revolving Commitments shall have been terminated as provided herein for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($700,000,000.00) (as such aggregate maximum amount may be reduced or increased from time to time as provided in Sections 3.3 and 3.4, the "Revolving Committed Amount"); provided, further, (i) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender’s outstanding Revolving Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Revolving Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof; provided, however, that no more than 25 Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time. For purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period. Revolving Loans hereunder may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

(b) Revolving Loan Borrowings.

(i) Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall request a Revolving Loan borrowing by notice, which may be given by telephone and promptly confirmed in writing. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than (i) 12:00 noon on the Business Day of the requested borrowing in the case of Base Rate Loans, and (ii) 11:00 A.M. three Business Days prior to the date of the requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such request for borrowing shall be irrevocable, executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and shall specify (A) that a Revolving Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s) therefor. If the Borrower shall fail to specify in any such Notice of Borrowing (I) an applicable Interest Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month, or (II) the type of Revolving Loan requested, then such notice shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan hereunder. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to each affected Lender promptly upon receipt of each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.1(b)(i), the contents thereof and each such Lender’s share of any borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.

 
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(ii) Minimum Amounts. Each Eurodollar Loan or Base Rate Loan that is a Revolving Loan shall be in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount of the Revolving Committed Amount, if less).

(iii) Advances. Each Lender will make its Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Loan borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower as specified in Section 3.14(a), or in such other manner as the Administrative Agent may specify in writing, by 1:00 P.M. on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing in Dollars and in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent by crediting the Master Account with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

(c) Repayment. The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date, subject to the provisions of Sections 3.4(c) and (e).

(d) Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1,

(i) Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans, such Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage; and

(ii) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as Revolving Loans shall be comprised in whole or in part of Eurodollar Loans, such Eurodollar Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.

Interest on Revolving Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein).

(e) Revolving Notes. The Revolving Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower to such Lender in an original principal amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and in substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(e).

2.2 Competitive Loan Subfacility.

(a) Competitive Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Borrower may, from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, request and each Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to make, Competitive Loans in Dollars to the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, and (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Each Competitive Loan shall be not less than $10,000,000 in the aggregate and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining portion of the Revolving Committed Amount, if less). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

 
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(b) Competitive Bid Requests. The Borrower may solicit by making a written or telefax request to all of the Lenders for a Competitive Loan. To be effective, such request must be received by each of the Lenders by 2:00 P.M. one Business Day prior to the date of the requested borrowing and must specify (i) that a Competitive Loan is requested, (ii) the amount of such Competitive Loan and (iii) the Interest Period for such Competitive Loan.

(c) Competitive Bids. Upon receipt of a request by the Borrower for a Competitive Loan, each Lender may, in its sole discretion, submit a Competitive Bid containing an offer to make a Competitive Loan in an amount up to the amount specified in the related request for Competitive Loans. Such Competitive Bid shall be submitted to the Borrower by telephone notice (to be immediately confirmed by telecopy) by 11:00 A.M. on the date of the requested Competitive Loan. Competitive Bids so made shall be irrevocable. Each Competitive Bid shall specify (i) the date of the proposed Competitive Loan, (ii) the maximum and minimum principal amounts of the Competitive Loan for which such offer is being made (which may be for all or a part of (but not more than) the amount requested by the Borrower), (iii) the applicable Competitive Bid Rate, and (iv) the applicable Interest Period.

(d) Acceptance of Competitive Bids. The Borrower may, before 11:00 A.M. on the date of the requested Competitive Loan, accept any Competitive Bid by giving the applicable Lender and the Administrative Agent telephone notice (immediately confirmed in writing) of (i) the Lender or Lenders whose Competitive Bid(s) is/are accepted, (ii) the principal amount of the Competitive Bid(s) so accepted and (iii) the Interest Period of the Competitive Bid(s) so accepted. The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided, however, that (a) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan may not exceed the maximum amount offered in the Competitive Bid and may not be less than the minimum amount offered in the Competitive Bid, (b) the principal amount of each Competitive Loan may not exceed the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above, (c) the Borrower shall not accept a Competitive Bid made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate if it has decided to reject a Competitive Bid made at a lower Competitive Bid Rate and (d) if the Borrower shall accept a Competitive Bid or Bids made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate but the amount of such Competitive Bid or Bids shall cause the total amount of Competitive Bids to be accepted by the Borrower to exceed the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above, then the Borrower shall accept a portion of such Competitive Bid or Bids in an amount equal to the total amount requested pursuant to subsection (a) above less the amount of other Competitive Bids accepted with respect to such request, which acceptance, in the case of multiple Competitive Bids at the same Competitive Bid Rate, shall be made pro rata in accordance with each such Competitive Bid at such Competitive Bid Rate. Competitive Bids so accepted by the Borrower shall be irrevocable.

 
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(e) Funding of Competitive Loans. Upon acceptance by the Borrower pursuant to subsection (d) above of all or a portion of any Lender’s Competitive Bid, such Lender shall, before such time as determined by such Lender in accordance with such Lender’s customary practices, on the date of the requested Competitive Loan, make such Competitive Loan available by crediting the Master Account with the amount of such Competitive Loan.

(f) Competitive Notes. The Competitive Loans of each Lender shall be evidenced by a single Competitive Note duly executed on behalf of the Borrower, dated the date hereof, in substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(f), payable to the order of such Lender.

(g) Repayment of Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall repay to each Lender which has made a Competitive Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Competitive Loan the then unpaid principal amount of such Competitive Loan. Unless the Borrower shall repay the maturing Competitive Loan or give to notice to the Administrative Agent of its intent to otherwise repay such Loan not later than 11:00 A.M. on the last day of the Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised of Base Rate Loans in the amount of the maturing Competitive Loan, the proceeds of which will be used to repay such Competitive Loan.

(h) Interest on Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall pay interest to each Lender on the unpaid principal amount of each Competitive Loan from and including the date of such Competitive Loan to but excluding the stated maturity date thereof, at the applicable Competitive Bid Rate for such Competitive Loan (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days). Interest on Competitive Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein).

(i) Limitation on Number of Competitive Loans. The Borrower shall not request a Competitive Loan if, assuming the maximum amount of Competitive Loans so requested is borrowed as of the date of such request, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding would exceed the aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.

(j) Change in Procedures for Requesting Competitive Loans. The Borrower and the Lenders hereby agree that, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, upon mutual agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, all further requests by the Borrower for Competitive Loans shall be made by the Borrower to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent in accordance with such procedures as shall be prescribed by the Administrative Agent and acceptable to the Borrower and each Lender.

 
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2.3 Swingline Loan Subfacility.

(a) Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Swingline Lender, in its individual capacity, agrees to make certain revolving credit loans requested by the Borrower in Dollars to the Borrower (each a "Swingline Loan" and, collectively, the "Swingline Loans") from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided, however, (i) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000.00) (the "Swingline Committed Amount"), and (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount. Swingline Loans hereunder shall be made as Base Rate Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3, and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

(b)  Swingline Loan Advances.

(i) Notices; Disbursement. Whenever the Borrower desires a Swingline Loan advance hereunder it shall give written notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Swingline Lender not later than 2:00 P.M. on the Business Day of the requested Swingline Loan advance. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Swingline Loan advance is requested, (B) the date of the requested Swingline Loan advance (which shall be a Business Day) and (C) the principal amount of the Swingline Loan advance requested. Each Swingline Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan or a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan and shall have such maturity date as the Swingline Lender and the Borrower shall agree upon receipt by the Swingline Lender of any such notice from the Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall initiate the transfer of funds representing the Swingline Loan advance to the Master Account by 3:30 P.M. on the Business Day of the requested borrowing.

(ii) Minimum Amounts. Each Swingline Loan advance shall be in a minimum principal amount of $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount of the Swingline Committed Amount, if less).

 
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(iii) Repayment of Swingline Loans. The principal amount of all Swingline Loans shall be due and payable on the earlier of (A) the maturity date agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the Borrower with respect to such Loan (which maturity date shall not be a date more than seven (7) Business Days from the date of advance thereof), (B) the Termination Date, or (C) the demand of the Swingline Lender. The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans by way of a Revolving Loan advance, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised solely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand shall be deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.1 and upon acceleration of the indebtedness hereunder and the exercise of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2. Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro rata share of each such Revolving Loan in the amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (I) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving Loans otherwise required hereunder, (II) whether any conditions specified in Section 4.2 are then satisfied, (III) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (IV) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (V) whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (VI) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such participations in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon its Commitment Percentage (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 3.4), provided that (A) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the respective participation is purchased and (B) at the time any purchase of participations pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Lender shall be required to pay to the Swingline Lender, to the extent not paid to the Swingline Lender by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of subsection (c)(ii) hereof, interest on the principal amount of participation purchased for each day from and including the day upon which such borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such participation, at the rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate.

(c) Interest on Swingline Loans.

(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1, each Swingline Loan shall bear interest as follows:

 
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(A) Base Rate Loans. If such Swingline Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at a per annum rate (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 days) equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.

(B) Quoted Rate Swingline Loans. If such Swingline Loan is a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan, at a per annum rate (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal to the Quoted Rate applicable thereto.

   
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary set forth in this Credit Agreement, in the event that the principal amount of any Quoted Rate Swingline Loan is not repaid on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan, then such Loan shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of such Interest Period.

(ii) Payment of Interest. Interest on Swingline Loans shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified herein).

(d) Swingline Note. The Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower to the Swingline Lender in an original principal amount equal to the Swingline Committed Amount substantially in the form of Schedule 2.3(d).

2.4 Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.4, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue a requested Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower, and to amend or renew a Letter of Credit previously issued by such L/C Issuer, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drafts under any Letter of Credit such L/C Issuer has issued; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower; provided that no L/C Issuer shall be obligated to make any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, and no Lender shall be obligated to participate in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that, as of the date of such L/C Credit Extension, (x) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of the Competitive Loans plus L/C Obligations outstanding shall exceed the Revolving Committed Amount or (y) the L/C Obligations would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Letters of Credit hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

 
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(ii) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

(B)  the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than eighteen months after the date of issuance or last renewal, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date;

(C) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date (pursuant to additional documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer); or

(D) such Letter of Credit is in a face amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $100,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit, or is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars.

(iii) No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

 
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(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Renewal Letters of Credit.

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to an L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower. Such L/C Application must be received by such L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. at least three Business Days prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to such L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer receiving such Letter of Credit Application will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, such L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Upon receipt by such L/C Issuer of confirmation from the Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms hereof (such confirmation shall be provided to such L/C Issuer no later than the next Business Day following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a copy of such Letter of Credit Application), then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with such L/C Issuer's usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the issuing L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 
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(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, any L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic renewal provisions (each, an "Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit"); provided that any such Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit must permit such L/C Issuer to prevent any such renewal at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the "Nonrenewal Notice Date") in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by such L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such renewal. Once an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) such L/C Issuer to permit the renewal of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that such L/C Issuer shall not permit any such renewal if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the terms hereof, or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is two Business Days before the Nonrenewal Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such renewal or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.2 is not then satisfied. No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to permit the renewal of an Auto-Renewal Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit under the terms of this Section 2.4.

(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, each L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment. On the Business Day that is three Business Days prior to the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, each L/C Issuer will deliver to the Administrative Agent a report of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued, delivered, extended and/or amended by such L/C Issuer for the current calendar quarter (or portion thereof), with an estimate of any activity that is expected to occur during the remainder of such calendar quarter. The Administrative Agent shall maintain at one of its offices in Boston, Massachusetts a register for the recordation of the identity of the principal amount, type and undrawn amount of each Letter of Credit outstanding hereunder, the names and addresses of each beneficiary thereunder and the L/C Advances of the Lenders pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "L/C Register").

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 A.M. on the date of any payment by such L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an "Honor Date"), the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing (it being understood that such reimbursement may be accomplished pursuant to the application of funds held in a cash collateral account in accordance with the documentation governing such account). If the Borrower fails to so reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent by such time, such L/C Issuer shall, prior to 11:00 A.M. on such date, so notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the "Unreimbursed Amount"), and such Lender’s Commitment Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.1(b)(ii) for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Committed Amount and the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (other than the delivery of a Notice of Borrowing). Any notice given by any L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.4(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 
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(ii) Each Lender (including the Lender acting as L/C Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(i) make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the issuing L/C Issuer in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to such L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Base Rate Loan because the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the default rate as set forth in Section 3.1. In such event, the applicable L/C Issuer shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, who in turn will promptly notify each Lender, and each Lender (including the Lender acting as L/C Issuer) that has not made funds available to such L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(ii) shall, promptly upon any such notice, make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer in an amount equal to its Commitment Percentage of such L/C Borrowing, whereupon each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and such payment shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.4. Likewise, to the extent a Lender has already made funds available pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(ii) in respect of any Unreimbursed Amount and such Unreimbursed Amount may not be refinanced by a Base Rate Loan because the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the funds made available by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(ii) in respect of such Unreimbursed Amount shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in the related L/C Borrowing and such payment shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.4. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer.

 
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(iv) Until each Lender funds its Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.4(c) to reimburse the issuing L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Base Rate Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse an L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.4(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against any L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Base Rate Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Notice of Borrowing). Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse any L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by such L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of any L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4(c) by the time specified in Section 2.4(c)(ii), such L/C Issuer shall be entitled (acting through the Administrative Agent) to recover from such Lender, on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender's Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of such L/C Issuer submitted (through the Administrative Agent) to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 
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(vii) With respect to any payment in respect of a Letter of Credit, each Lender (including the Lender acting as L/C Issuer) agrees to act in accordance with the ratable sharing of payments provisions set forth in Section 3.13.

(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after any L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.4(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), or any payment of interest thereon, the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Commitment Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of any L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.4(c)(i) is required to be returned, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Commitment Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

(e) Obligations Absolute. In the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and subject to Section 2.4(h) regarding the applicability of ISP and "UCP", the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit, and to repay each L/C Borrowing and each drawing under a Letter of Credit that is refinanced by a Base Rate Loan, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Credit Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), any L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 
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(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) any payment by any L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that appears on its face to be in order but that nevertheless does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by any L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any debtor relief law; or

(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuers. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuers shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. No L/C Issuer nor any Affiliate thereof nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of any L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Application. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit (other than the presentation of any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit); provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. No L/C Issuer nor any Affiliate thereof, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of any L/C Issuer, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.4(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against an L/C Issuer, and such L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by such L/C Issuer's willful misconduct or gross negligence or such L/C Issuer's willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, any L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and such L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

 
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(g) Cash Collateral.

(i) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, (x) if an L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (y) if, as of (I) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date or (II) a termination of the Commitments and an acceleration of the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.2, any Letter of Credit may for any reason remain outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn, the Borrower shall immediately repay the then outstanding amount of all L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the then outstanding amount of all L/C Obligations, as applicable (in an amount equal to such outstanding amount determined as of the date of such L/C Borrowing, the Letter of Credit Expiration Date or date of termination of the Commitments and acceleration of the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.2, as the case may be, such amount to be applied in the manner set forth in Section 3.3(b)(iv)).

(ii) Upon the (x) termination or expiration of any Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall return and release to the Borrower the amounts Cash Collateralized equal to the L/C Obligation associated with the terminated or expired Letter of Credit (but only to the extent that all remaining L/C Obligations that are then required to be Cash Collateralized under this Credit Agreement are fully Cash Collateralized) or (y) payment in full in cash of all of the obligations owed under this Credit Agreement, the termination or cancellation of all Letters of Credit issued hereunder, and the termination of all commitments hereunder, the pledge, Lien and security interest granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the amounts Cash Collateralized shall revert to the Borrower. Upon any such termination, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the Borrower such documents as it shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 
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(h) Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

(i) Conflict with Letter of Credit Application. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Application, the terms hereof shall control.

(j) Assignments. Each Lender may assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations of participation in the Letters of Credit issued hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions for such assignments as set forth in Section 10.3(b). If at any time Bank of America or such other L/C Issuer assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to Section 10.3(b), Bank of America or such L/C Issuer may, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation of an L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of any L/C Issuer. Each of Bank of America, SunTrust, Wachovia and such other L/C Issuer shall retain all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund participations in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.4(c)).

(k) Amendment. Notwithstanding anything in Section 10.6 to the contrary, no provision of this Section 2.4 may be amended without the consent of any L/C Issuer directly affected thereby.

(l)  Responsibility of L/C Issuer for Causing the Letter of Credit Sublimit To Be Exceeded. If any L/C Issuer (i) issues or amends a Letter of Credit without confirming with the Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms hereof as is required pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(ii) (or in disregard of the information conveyed by the Administrative Agent in response to such confirmation request) or (ii) fails to provide the Administrative Agent with a proper reporting of any activity with respect to Letters of Credit issued or requested of such L/C Issuer during the current calendar quarter as is required pursuant to Section 2.4(b)(iv), and the result of such action or inaction is to cause, at any time, (A) the outstanding L/C Obligations to exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit or (B) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding to exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, then such L/C Issuer shall be solely responsible for collecting payment for unreimbursed draws thereunder from the Borrower, and the Lenders shall not be required to participate in the L/C Obligations relating thereto.


 
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SECTION 3

OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES

3.1 Default Rate.

Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default, the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the Loans and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate 1% greater than the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, whether in respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then 1% greater than the Base Rate).

3.2 Extension and Conversion.

The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to deliver a Notice of Extension/Conversion to (i) extend existing Loans into a single subsequent permissible Interest Period, (ii) convert Loans into Loans of another interest rate type or (iii) extend existing Loans into automatic rolling subsequent three-month Interest Periods; provided that, with respect to this clause (iii) such Loans will be automatically extended on the last day of each three-month Interest Period into the subsequent three-month Interest Period (as requested pursuant to the relevant Notice of Extension/Conversion) until such time as the Borrower delivers a new Notice of Extension/Conversion, which new Notice of Extension/Conversion shall be delivered prior to 11:00 A.M. on the fifth Business Day prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period; provided, however, that (a) except as provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (b) Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted into Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of extension or conversion, (c) Loans extended as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the definition of "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1 and shall be in such minimum amounts as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii), (d) no more than 25 Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it being understood that, for purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date, although borrowings, extensions and conversions may, in accordance with the provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period), (e) any request for extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month and (f) Competitive Loans and Swingline Loans may not be extended or converted pursuant to this Section 3.2. Each such extension or conversion shall be effected by a Financial Officer of the Borrower giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M. on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for extension or conversion shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 4.2. In the event the Borrower fails to request extension or conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such conversion or extension is not permitted or required by this Section, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed extension or conversion affecting any Loan.

 
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3.3 Prepayments.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Loans (other than Competitive Bid Loans, which may not be prepaid) in whole or in part from time to time, subject to Section 3.11, but otherwise without premium or penalty; provided, however, that (i) Base Rate Loans may only be prepaid on one Business Day's prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and specifying the applicable Loans to be prepaid; (ii) Eurodollar Loans may only be prepaid on three Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and specifying the applicable Loans to be prepaid; (iii) any prepayment of Eurodollar Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans will be subject to Section 3.11; and (iv) each such partial prepayment of Loans shall be (A) in the case of Revolving Loans, in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the Revolving Loan being prepaid) and (B) in the case of Swingline Loans, in a minimum principal amount of $250,000 and multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the then outstanding Swingline Loans). Subject to the foregoing terms, amounts prepaid under this Section 3.3(a) shall be applied as the Borrower may elect.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments.

(i) Commitment Limitation. If at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus L/C Obligations outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans shall exceed the Revolving Committed Amount, the Borrower promises to immediately prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize undrawn L/C Obligations in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess (such payments to be applied as set forth in clause (iv) below).

(ii) Letter of Credit Sublimit. If at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of L/C Obligations shall exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrower shall immediately repay L/C Borrowings and, within seven (7) days, Cash Collateralize undrawn L/C Obligations in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess (such payments to be applied as set forth in clause (iv) below). It is understood that if the Borrower is able to eliminate such excess within the seven-day grace period through the reduction of L/C Obligations, then no Cash Collateralization shall be required by the Borrower under this clause (iii).

 
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(iii) Application of Mandatory Prepayments. All amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 3.3(b) (as well as amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.4(g)(i)) shall be applied as follows: (A) with respect to all amounts paid pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(i) or Section 3.3(b)(ii), to (I) Swingline Loans, (II) L/C Borrowings that have not been reimbursed through L/C Advances, (III) L/C Advances and Revolving Loans, (IV) Competitive Loans and (V) Cash Collateralize undrawn L/C Obligations and (B)  with respect to all amounts paid pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(iii), to (I) L/C Borrowings that have not been reimbursed through L/C Advances, (II) L/C Advances and (III) Cash Collateralize undrawn L/C Obligations. Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, payments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All payments under this Section 3.3(b) shall be subject to Section 3.11, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount paid through the date of payment.

(c) General. All prepayments made pursuant to this Section 3.3 shall (i) be subject to Section 3.11 and (ii) unless the Borrower shall specify otherwise, be applied first to Base Rate Loans, if any, and then to Eurodollar Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. Except as otherwise set forth in subclause (b) above, amounts prepaid on the Revolving Loans may be reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.

3.4 Termination, Reduction and Increase of Revolving Committed Amount.

(a) Voluntary Reductions. The Borrower may from time to time permanently reduce or terminate the Revolving Committed Amount in whole or in part (in minimum aggregate amounts of $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the full remaining amount of the then applicable Revolving Committed Amount)) upon five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, no such termination or reduction shall be made which would cause the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus L/C Obligations outstanding plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans to exceed the Revolving Committed Amount unless, concurrently with such termination or reduction, the Revolving Loans and/or Competitive Loans are repaid to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. The Commitments of the Lenders shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of receipt by the Administrative Agent of any notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.4(a).

(b) Additional Commitments. The Borrower shall have the right no more than once a year to increase the Facilities up to an aggregate amount of $1,300,000,000 (with such increase to be applied pro rata to the Facilities) without the consent of the Lenders, subject however to the satisfaction of each of the following terms and conditions:

 
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(i) to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent, no Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing at the time of such increase;

(ii) concurrently with the Borrower’s request for such increase hereunder, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, an officer’s certificate substantially in the form of Schedule 6.1(c) certifying that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and demonstrating compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 both before and after giving effect to the increase requested hereunder;

(iii) such increase shall be allocated in the following order:

(A) first, to the existing Lenders consenting to an increase in the amount of their Revolving Commitments; provided that (1) on or before the tenth Business Day following notification of a requested increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, each Lender shall notify the Borrower of the desired increase, if any, in its Revolving Commitment and (2) if the aggregate increases in the Revolving Commitments requested by the existing Lenders shall exceed the requested increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, the Revolving Commitments of such Lenders shall be increased on a pro rata basis according to the existing Commitment Percentage of such Lenders; and

(B) second, to any other commercial bank, financial institution or "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D of the SEC) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower;

(iv) each Person providing a new Commitment shall execute a New Commitment Agreement substantially in the form of Schedule 3.4(b) hereto and, upon such execution and the satisfaction of the other terms and conditions of this Section 3.4(b), such Person shall thereupon become a party hereto and have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement as more specifically provided in the New Commitment Agreement; and

(v) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of (A) the new Revolving Committed Amount and (B) each Lender’s Commitment Percentage, in each case after giving effect to the one-time increase in Revolving Commitment referred to in this Section 3.4(b).

 
On the date (which date shall be a Business Day) on which the increase in the Revolving Committed Amount occurs the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall make adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans outstanding hereunder and under the Four-Year Credit Agreement and amounts of principal, interest, fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary in order to reallocate among the Lenders such outstanding amounts based on the new Commitment Percentages and to otherwise carry out fully the terms of this Section 3.4(b). The Borrower agrees that, in connection with any such increase in the Revolving Committed Amount, it will promptly (i) provide to each Lender providing a new or increased Revolving Commitment (upon surrender of the existing Revolving Note of such Lender in the case of an existing Lender) a Revolving Note in the amount of its new or increased (as applicable) Revolving Commitment substantially in the form of the Revolving Note attached hereto as Schedule 2.1(e) (but, in the case of a new Revolving Note given to an existing Lender that increases its Revolving Commitment, with notation thereon that it is given in substitution for and replacement of the original Revolving Note or any replacement notes thereof) and (ii) provide to each Lender (upon surrender of the existing Competitive Note of such Lender in the case of an existing Lender) a Competitive Note in the amount of the new Revolving Committed Amount substantially in the form of the Competitive Note attached hereto as Schedule 2.2(f) (but, in the case of a new Competitive Note given to an existing Lender, with notation thereon that it is given in substitution for and replacement of the original Competitive Note or any replacement notes thereof). Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that no Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolving Commitment pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.4(b).

 
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(c) Termination Date. The Revolving Commitments of the Lenders, the commitment of any L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit under the Letter of Credit Sublimit and the Swingline Commitment of the Swingline Lender shall automatically terminate on the Termination Date.

(d)[Intentionally Omitted.]

(e)Change of Control.

(i) As set forth in Sections 2.1(a), 2.2(a), 2.3(a) and 2.4(a) above, the Borrower may not request any Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to this Section 3.4(e). Subject to the procedures set forth below in this clause (ii) of this Section 3.4(e), upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and the expiration of the 20-day notice period described below, each Lender shall have the right to terminate its Commitment hereunder and require that the Borrower prepay (and the Borrower agrees to so prepay) in full such Lender's outstanding Loans and Cash Collateralize such Lender's L/C Obligations (such amount the "Change of Control Prepayment Amount"), plus accrued and unpaid fees and interest, if any, to the date of prepayment and all other obligations due to such Lender under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents. The portion of any such prepayment attributable to (and equal to) such Lender's L/C Obligations shall be retained by the applicable L/C Issuer(s) and applied to Cash Collateralize such Lender's L/C Obligations, whereupon such Lender shall be released from all of its obligations to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and/or such L/C Issuer in respect of Letters of Credit under this Credit Agreement.

 
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(ii) Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, the Administrative Agent shall mail a notice (the "Change of Control Notice") simultaneously to all Lenders providing each Lender with notice of its rights under this Section 3.4(e) and a period of twenty (20) calendar days to evaluate the Change of Control and make a determination as to whether such Lender will terminate its Commitments and accept payment of the Change of Control Prepayment Amount, or whether such Lender will accept such Change of Control and continue as a Lender hereunder. The period beginning on the effective date of such Change of Control and continuing through the expiration of such twenty (20) notice day period shall be referred to herein as a "Change of Control Standstill Period"). The Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to this Section 3.4(e).

(iii) Lenders electing to have their Loans prepaid pursuant to this Section 3.4(e) shall so notify the Administrative Agent as directed in the Change of Control Notice; provided, however, that failure by any Lender to make a timely response shall be deemed to constitute an election by such Lender to terminate its Commitment and accept prepayment of its Loans. Upon the expiration date of the Change of Control Standstill Period, (A) all Lenders electing to terminate their Commitments (the "Terminating Lenders") shall surrender their Notes to the Administrative Agent at the address specified in Section 11.02, (B) all Notes held by Terminating Lenders shall be cancelled by the Borrower and the Borrower shall pay the applicable Change of Control Prepayment Amounts to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Terminating Lenders, and all other Obligations due to the Terminating Lenders under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (C) the Commitments of the Terminating Lenders hereunder shall be terminated and the Revolving Committed Amount shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Commitments so terminated, and (D) and the Commitments of those Lenders not electing to terminate their Commitments shall automatically continue.

(f) General. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 3.5(a), on the date of each termination or reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount, the Facility Fee accrued through the date of such termination or reduction on the amount of the Revolving Committed Amount so terminated or reduced.

3.5 Fees.

(a) Facility Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Facility Fee") on the Revolving Committed Amount computed at a per annum rate for each day during the applicable Facility Fee Calculation Period (hereinafter defined) equal to the Applicable Percentage in effect from time to time. The Facility Fee shall commence to accrue on the Closing Date and shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (and any date that the Revolving Committed Amount is reduced or increased as provided in Section 3.4 and the Termination Date) for the immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof) (each such quarter or portion thereof for which the Facility Fee is payable hereunder being herein referred to as a "Facility Fee Calculation Period"), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.

 
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(b) Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees referred to in the Administrative Agent’s Fee Letter (collectively, the "Administrative Agent’s Fees").

(c) Utilization Fee. During such periods as the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans, plus all L/C Obligations outstanding is greater than or equal to 50% of the Revolving Committed Amount (each such period a "Utilization Fee Period"), the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Utilization Fee") on all Loans outstanding, plus all L/C Obligations outstanding during each such Utilization Fee Period computed at a per annum rate for each day during such period equal to the Applicable Percentage for the Utilization Fee in effect from time to time. The Utilization Fee shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December for all Utilization Fee Periods occurring during the immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof), beginning with the first of such dates to occur after the Closing Date.

(d) Letter of Credit Fees.

(i) Letter of Credit Fee. In consideration of the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") on such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration equal to the Applicable Percentage for Eurodollar Loans and Letter of Credit Fee. The Letter of Credit Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December for the immediately preceding quarter (or a portion thereof).

(ii) L/C Issuer Fees. In addition to the Letter of Credit Fee payable pursuant to clause (i) above, the Borrower promises to pay to each L/C Issuer for its own account without sharing by the other Lenders (A) a letter of credit fronting fee as negotiated between the Borrower and such L/C Issuer on the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer computed at the per annum rate for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration and (B) such other customary charges from time to time of such L/C Issuer with respect to the issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of such L/C Issuer relating to such Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect, due and payable on demand therefor by such L/C Issuer (collectively, the "L/C Issuer Fees").

 
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3.6 Capital Adequacy.

If any Lender determines the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender, any Lending Installation of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender is increased as a result of a Change (as defined below), then, within 15 days of demand by such Lender, the Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount necessary to compensate for any shortfall in the rate of return on the portion of such increased capital which such Lender determines is attributable to this Credit Agreement, its Loans or its obligation to make Loans hereunder (after taking into account such Lender’s policies as to capital adequacy). "Change" means (i) any change after the Closing Date in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines or (ii) any adoption of or change in any other law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline, interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of law) after the Closing Date which affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by any Lender or any Lending Installation or any corporation controlling any Lender. "Risk-Based Capital Guidelines" means (i) the risk-based capital guidelines in effect in the United States on the Closing Date, including transition rules, and (ii) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside the United States implementing the July 1988 report of the Basle Committee on Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices Entitled "International Convergence of Capital Measurements and Capital Standards," including transition rules, and any amendments to such regulations adopted prior to the Closing Date.

3.7 Inability To Determine Interest Rate.

If prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (a) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans and (b) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or continued as Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to or continued as Base Rate Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans.

3.8 Illegality.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Credit Agreement, (a) such Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert a Base Rate Loan to Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it shall no longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans, such Lender shall then have a commitment only to make a Base Rate Loan when a Eurodollar Loan is requested and (c) such Lender’s Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 3.11.

 
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3.9 Yield Protection.

If any law or any governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law), or any interpretation thereof, or the compliance of any Lender therewith,

(a)  subjects any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to any tax, duty, charge or withholding on or from payments due from the Borrower (excluding federal taxation of the overall net income of any Lender or applicable Lending Installation), or changes the basis of taxation of payments to any Lender in respect of its Loans or other amounts due it hereunder;

(b) imposes or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment, insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirements against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation (other than reserves and assessments taken into account in determining the Base Rate);

and the result of which is to increase the cost to any Lender of making, funding or maintaining loans or reduces any amount receivable by any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation in connection with loans, or requires any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to make any payment calculated by reference to the amount of loans held or interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by such Lender;

then, within 15 days of demand by such Lender, the Borrower shall pay such Lender that portion of such increased expense incurred or reduction in an amount received which such Lender determines is attributable to making, funding and maintaining its Loans and its Commitments. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

3.10 Withholding Tax Exemption.

Each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof shall:

(a)    (i) on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement or Notes to such Lender, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (A) two (2) duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes and (B) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding tax;

 
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(ii) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and

(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent; or

(b) in the case of any such Lender that is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (i) represent to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) that it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) agree to furnish to the Borrower on or before the date of any payment by the Borrower, with a copy to the Administrative Agent two (2) accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, or successor applicable form certifying to such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to payments to be made under this Credit Agreement and any Notes (and to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two (2) further copies of such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms), and (iii) agree, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to provide to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from withholding with respect to payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes;

unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in either case. Each Person that shall become a Lender or a participant of a Lender pursuant to subsection 10.3 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the forms, certifications and statements required pursuant to this subsection, provided that in the case of a participant of a Lender the obligations of such participant of a Lender pursuant to this Section 3.10 shall be determined as if the participant of a Lender were a Lender except that such participant of a Lender shall furnish all such required forms, certifications and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

 
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3.11 Indemnity.

The Borrower promises to indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (other than through such Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of a Eurodollar Loan or a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans on a day which is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.11 shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

3.12 Pro Rata Treatment.

Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:

(a) Loans. Each Loan, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Loan, each payment of interest on the Loans, each payment of Facility Fees, each payment of Utilization Fees, each reduction of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any Loan, shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans and Participation Interests. With respect to Competitive Loans, if the Borrower fails to specify the particular Competitive Loan or Loans as to which any payment or other amount should be applied and it is not otherwise clear as to the particular Competitive Loan or Loans to which such payment or other amounts relate, or any such payment or other amount is to be applied to Competitive Loans without regard to any such direction by the Borrower, then each payment or prepayment of principal on Competitive Loans and each payment of interest or other amount on or in respect of Competitive Loans, shall be allocated pro rata among the relevant Lenders of Competitive Loans in accordance with the then outstanding amounts of their respective Competitive Loans.

 
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(b) Advances. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its ratable share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within the time period specified therefor hereunder, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

3.13 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 4:00 P.M. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 4:00 P.M. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Committed Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Committed Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Committed Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Sections 2.1(b) and 3.2 (or, in the case of a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Sections 2.1(b) and 3.2) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Committed Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Committed Loan included in such Committed Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 
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(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary.

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Section 4 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Committed Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.7 are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Committed Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.7 on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Committed Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.7.

 
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(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

3.14 Sharing of Payments.

The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan or any other obligation owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other Lenders a participation in such Loans and other obligations in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time, as shall be equitable to the end that all Lenders share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Lenders further agree among themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit (together with its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto) to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan or other obligation in the amount of such participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Administrative Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall be made together with interest thereon for each date from the date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.13 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this Section 3.13 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

 
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3.15 Payments, Computations, Etc. 

(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments hereunder (other than payments in respect of Competitive Loans) shall be made to the Administrative Agent in dollars in immediately available funds, without offset, deduction, counterclaim or withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent’s office specified in Schedule 2.1(a) not later than 4:00 P.M. on the date when due. Payments received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment which is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent (with notice to the Borrower). The Borrower shall, at the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement (other than payments in respect of Competitive Loans), specify to the Administrative Agent the Loans, Fees, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails so to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in such manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to the terms of Section 3.12(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute such payments to such Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to 12:00 Noon on a Business Day in like funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent will distribute such payment to such Lenders on the next succeeding Business Day. All payments of principal and interest in respect of Competitive Loans shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 2.2. Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such extension), except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then such payment shall instead be made on the next preceding Business Day. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days, except with respect to computation of interest on Base Rate Loans which (unless the Base Rate is determined by reference to the Federal Funds Rate) shall be calculated based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.

(b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of the Loans, L/C Obligations, Fees or any other amounts outstanding under any of the Credit Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Administrative Agent in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Documents;

SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent;

THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each of the Lenders in connection with enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents or otherwise with respect to amounts owing to such Lender;

FOURTH, to the payment of accrued fees and interest;

 
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FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans (including, without limitation, the payment or cash collateralization of the outstanding L/C Obligations);

SIXTH, to all other amounts and other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents or otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST" through "FIFTH" above; and

SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Loans) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses "THIRD", "FOURTH", "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above; and (iii) to the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause "FIRST" above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be Cash Collateralized by the Administrative Agent and applied (A) first, to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuers from time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (B) then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses "THIRD" and "SIXTH" above in the manner provided in this Section 3.14(b).

3.16 Evidence of Debt.

(a) Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to Section 10.3(c) hereof, and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from or for the account of the Borrower and each Lender’s share thereof. The Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to promptly update such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.

(c) The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.15 (and, if consistent with the entries of the Administrative Agent, subsection (a)) shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary, evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made by such Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

 
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3.17 Replacement of Lenders.

In the event any Lender delivers to the Borrower any notice in accordance with Sections 3.6, 3.8, 3.9 or 3.10, then the Borrower shall have the right, if no Default or Event of Default then exists, to replace such Lender (the "Replaced Lender") with one or more additional banks or financial institutions (collectively, the "Replacement Lender"), provided that (A) at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 3.16, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more Assignment and Assumptions pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, Section 10.3(b) (and with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 10.3(b) to be paid by the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the rights and obligations of the Replaced Lender hereunder and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an amount equal to the sum of (a) the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender, and (b) all accrued, but theretofore unpaid, fees owing to the Replaced Lender pursuant to Section 3.5(a), and (B) all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Replaced Lender (including all obligations, if any, owing pursuant to Section 3.6, 3.8 or 3.9, but excluding those obligations specifically described in clause (A) above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such replacement.


SECTION 4

CONDITIONS

4.1 Closing Conditions.

The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to make the initial Loans shall be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders):

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received original counterparts of this Credit Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto;

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Revolving Note for each Lender requesting a Revolving Note, executed by the Borrower;

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Competitive Note for each Lender requesting a Competitive Note, executed by the Borrower;

 
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(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received an appropriate original Swingline Note for the Swingline Lender, executed by the Borrower;

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents it may reasonably request relating to the existence and good standing of the Borrower, the corporate or other necessary authority for and the validity of the Credit Documents, and any other matters relevant thereto, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a legal opinion of Harry L. Goldsmith, Esq., general counsel for the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in the form of Schedule 4.1(f);

(g) Since August 27, 2005 there shall not have occurred or otherwise exist an event or condition which has a Material Adverse Effect;

(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received, for its own account and for the accounts of the Lenders, all fees and expenses required by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to be paid on or before the Closing Date;

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all obligations due and owing under the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the date hereof will be, paid in full;

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all obligations due and owing under the Existing 364-Day Credit Agreement shall have been, or concurrently with the date hereof will be, paid in full and such facility terminated;

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the "Closing Date" under the Four-Year Credit Agreement shall have occurred simultaneously;

(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that the effectiveness of the Term Loan Amendment shall have occurred simultaneously; and

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents, agreements or information which may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

4.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.

The obligations of each Lender to make, convert or extend any Loan (including the initial Loans), and of any L/C Issuer to issue a Letter of Credit hereunder are subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in addition to satisfaction on the Closing Date of the conditions set forth in Section 4.1:

 
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(a) The Borrower shall have delivered (A) in the case of any Revolving Loan to the Administrative Agent, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Extension/Conversion, (B) in the case of any Swingline Loan to the Administrative Agent, an appropriate Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Extension/Conversion or (C) in the case of any Letter of Credit, to the applicable L/C Issuer an appropriate request for issuance (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(b);

(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 shall be, subject to the limitations set forth therein, true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date);

(c) There shall not have been commenced against the Borrower an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Borrower or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or unbonded;

(d) No Default or Event of Default shall exist and be continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto; and

(e) Immediately after giving effect to the making of such Loan (and the application of the proceeds thereof) or the issuance of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Competitive Loans plus the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans plus the L/C Obligations outstanding shall not exceed the Revolving Committed Amount.

The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing and each Notice of Extension/Conversion shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the correctness of the matters specified in subsections (b), (c), (d) and (e) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may not request any Loans hereunder while a Change of Control Standstill Period shall be in effect pursuant to Section 3.4(e) hereof.

SECTION 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower hereby represents to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 
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5.1 Financial Position; No Internal Control Event.

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of August 27, 2005 and the audited consolidated statements of earnings and statements of cash flows for the year ended August 27, 2005 have heretofore been furnished to each Lender. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) (a) have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, (b) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby and (c) present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods. During the period from August 27, 2005 to and including the Closing Date, there has been no sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any material part of the business or property of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no purchase or other acquisition by any of them of any business or property (including any capital stock of any other person) material in relation to the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case, which, is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto and has not otherwise been disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date. Since August 27, 2005, through and including the Closing Date, there has not occurred an event or condition which has had a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) To the best knowledge of the Borrower, no Internal Control Event exists or has occurred since the date of the Audited Financial Statements through the Closing Date.

5.2 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, except to the extent that the failure to have such legal right would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance with all material Requirements of Law, except to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
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5.3 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.

The Borrower has the corporate or other necessary power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit Documents to which it is a party, and in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other similar act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Credit Documents to which the Borrower is a party. This Credit Agreement has been, and each other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party will be, duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower. This Credit Agreement constitutes, and each other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party when executed and delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

5.4 No Legal Bar.

The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents by the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (a) will not violate any Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any respect that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or revenues of any of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or contractual obligation, and (c) will not violate or conflict with any provision of the Borrower’s articles of incorporation or by-laws.

5.5 No Material Litigation.

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.5, there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its properties before any Governmental Authority that (a) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) in any manner draw into question the validity, legality or enforceability of any Credit Document or any transaction contemplated thereby.

5.6 No Default.

Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of their contractual obligations in any respect which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.7 Ownership of Property; Liens.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien, except for Permitted Liens.

5.8 No Burdensome Restrictions.

Except as previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date, no Requirement of Law or contractual obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
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5.9 Taxes.

Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, are required to be filed and has paid (a) all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or (b) all taxes shown to be due and payable on any assessments of which it has received notice made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any (i) taxes, fees or other charges with respect to which the failure to pay, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) taxes, fees or other charges the amount or validity of which are currently being contested and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of such Person), and no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

5.10 ERISA.

Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no event or condition has occurred or exists as a result of which any ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan; (iii) each Single Employer Plan and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, each Multiemployer Plan has been maintained, operated, and funded in compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any Plan.

(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in each case, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used in such Plan’s most recent actuarial valuation report), did not exceed as of such valuation date the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.

(c) Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, could be reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate would become subject to any withdrawal liability under ERISA if the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple Employer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or deemed made. Neither the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.

 
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(d) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or may subject the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under any of Section 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

(e) Neither the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliates has any material liability with respect to "expected post-retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 106.

(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement nor the consummation of the financing transactions contemplated thereunder will involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of any of Section 404, 406 or 407 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the Borrower in the preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of the Lenders’ representation in Section 10.15 with respect to their source of funds and is subject, in the event that the source of the funds used by the Lenders in connection with this transaction is an insurance company’s general asset account, to the application of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg. 35,925 (1995), compliance with the regulations issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or the issuance of any other prohibited transaction exemption or similar relief, to the effect that assets in an insurance company’s general asset account do not constitute assets of an "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA of a "plan" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code.

5.11 Governmental Regulations, Etc. 

(a) No part of the pro-ceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" in violation of Regulation U. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in said Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the Loans was or will be incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U or any "margin security" within the meaning of Regulation T. "Margin stock" within the meanings of Regulation U does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use of the proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or Regulation T, U or X.

 
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(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended. In addition, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a company.

(c)  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has obtained all licenses, permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of its respective Property and to the conduct of its business, except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance of the United States of America, or of any state, city, town, municipality, county or any other jurisdiction, or of any agency thereof (including without limitation, environmental laws and regulations), except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e)  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is current with all material reports and documents, if any, required to be filed with any state or federal securities commission or similar agency and is in full compliance in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of such commissions, except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.12 Subsidiaries.

Schedule 5.12 sets forth all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the Closing Date, the jurisdiction of their organization and the direct or indirect ownership interest of the Borrower therein.

5.13 Purpose of Loans.

The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used solely by the Borrower to (a) to refinance existing Indebtedness of the Borrower under existing credit agreements, (b) repurchase stock in the Borrower, (c) to finance acquisitions to the extent permitted under this Credit Agreement and (d) for the working capital, commercial paper back up, capital expenditures and other lawful corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Letters of Credit shall be used only for or in connection with obligations relating to transactions entered into by the Borrower in the ordinary course of business.

 
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5.14 Disclosure.

No certificate (including any financial statements or other documents or attached thereto) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Credit Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

  5.15 Taxpayer Identification Number.

The Borrower's true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 10.1.

SECTION 6

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

6.1 Information Covenants.

The Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders:

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) the 100th day after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the day that is ten (10) Business Days after the date the Borrower's annual report on Form 10-K is required to be filed with the SEC, as of the end of such fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of income, consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by (i) a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or another Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and applicable Securities Laws and shall not be subject to any "going concern" or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit or with respect to the absence of any material misstatement and (ii) an opinion of such Registered Public Accounting Firm independently assessing the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Item 308 of SEC Regulation S-K, PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 2, and Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley expressing a conclusion that contains no statement that there is a material weakness in such internal controls, except for such material weaknesses that have been (x) disclosed to the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Borrower’s filing with the SEC of a notice of such material weakness shall be deemed disclosure to the Administrative Agent), who in turn discloses such material weaknesses to the Lenders, and (y) remedied or otherwise diligently addressed (or in the process of being diligently addressed) by the Borrower in accordance with recommendations made by the Borrower's external auditors in consultation with the Borrower.

 
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(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending May 6, 2006, as soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) the 50th day after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the day that is five (5) Business Days after the date the Borrower's quarterly report on Form 10-Q is required to be filed with the SEC, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related condensed consolidated balance sheet, a condensed consolidated statement of income and a condensed consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, in each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, except for the condensed consolidated balance sheet that will be presented in comparative form to the Borrower’s most recent audited consolidated balance sheet, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments.

(c) Officer’s Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Schedule 6.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.11 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (iii) certifying as to the Borrower's current senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt rating from S&P and/or Moody's.

(d) Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, (a) copies of any filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q or 10-K and any other material filings or registrations with the SEC, or any successor agency, and copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, material notices and material reports as the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall send to its shareholders or to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in its capacity as such a holder and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, all reports and written information to and from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environ-mental matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency respon-sible for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities concerning environmental, health or safety matters.

 
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(e) Notices. The Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent (a) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, (b) upon the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Person which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) promptly upon the Borrower’s determination thereof, the institution of any proceedings against such Person with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of any notice or determination concerning the imposition of any withdrawal liability by a Multiemployer Plan against such Person or any ERISA Affiliate, the determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or the termination of any Plan, (c) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of any change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that the Borrower’s external auditors consider to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiary, and (d) immediately upon obtaining knowledge thereof, of the determination by the Registered Public Accounting Firm providing the opinion required under Section 6.1(a)(ii) (in connection with its preparation of such opinion) or the Borrower's determination at any time of the occurrence or existence of any Internal Control Event.

(f) ERISA. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within five business days) of: (i) of any event or condition, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an ERISA Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates, or of a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make full payment on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts which the Borrower, any of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Code with respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the funding status of any Plan that reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, together with a description of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by a Financial Officer of the Borrower briefly setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such additional information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code, respectively, for each "plan year" (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).

 
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(g) Change of Control; Reorganization. Upon obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will promptly provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with (i) written notice of any actual or expected Change of Control or Reorganization, (ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control or Reorganization (including the information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, each after giving effect to such Change of Control or Reorganization, as the case may be), and (iii) such additional information and documents regarding such Change of Control or Reorganization as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender.

(h) Debt Rating. No later than five (5) days after a Financial Officer obtains knowledge of any such issuance of change, give notice to the Administrative Agent (by telephone, followed promptly by written notice transmitted by facsimile with a hard copy sent promptly thereafter) of any issuance of change (either expressly or pursuant to a letter from S&P or Moody’s stating an "implied" rating), in rating by S&P or Moody’s in respect of the Borrower’s non-credit enhanced senior long-term debt (secured or unsecured), together with details thereof.

(i) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (b) or (d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed in Section 10.1; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of all officer’s certificates delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(c) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier, electronic mail or automatic electronic notification via the Borrower’s website) of the posting of any documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (b) or (d). Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the officer's certificate required by Section 6.1(c) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such officer's certificates required by Section 6.1(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 
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The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, "Borrower Materials") by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the "Platform") and (b) certain of the Lenders may be "public-side" Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a "Public Lender"). The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as it is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities, (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be made available by means of the Platform and shall be clearly and conspicuously marked "PUBLIC" which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word "PUBLIC" shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials "PUBLIC," the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws, it being understood that certain of such Borrower Materials may be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (y) all Borrower Materials marked "PUBLIC" are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated "Public Investor;" and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked "PUBLIC" as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated "Public Investor". Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials "Public".

6.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises.

Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, franchises and authority.

6.3 Books and Records.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves).

6.4 Compliance with Law.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property if noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation, order or restriction would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 
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6.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.

Except as otherwise provided pursuant to the terms of the definition of "Permitted Liens" set forth in Section 1.1, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties, before they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties, and (c) except as prohibited hereunder, all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due.

6.6 Insurance.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain in full force and effect insurance, which may include self insurance, in such amounts and covering such risks as is consistent with sound business practices and similarly situated corporations.

6.7 Maintenance of Property.

The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to the conduct of its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto as may be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in similar businesses.

6.8 Use of Proceeds.

The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the purposes set forth in Section 5.13.

6.9 Audits/Inspections.

Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect its property, including its books and records, its accounts receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative Agent or its representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of such Person.

6.10 Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR Ratio.

The Borrower shall cause the ratio of Consolidated Adjusted Debt to Consolidated EBITDAR as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

 
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6.11 Interest Coverage Ratio.

The Borrower shall cause the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to be no less than 2.50 to 1.0.


SECTION 7

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that, so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:

7.1 Liens.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of their Property, whether now owned or after acquired, except for Permitted Liens.

7.2 Nature of Business.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, substantively alter the character or conduct of the business conducted by any such Person as of the Closing Date.

7.3 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Purchase of Assets, etc.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

(a) except in connection with a disposition of assets permitted by the terms of subsection (c) below, dissolve, liquidate or wind up their affairs;

(b) enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; provided, however, that, so long as no Default or Event of Default would be directly or indirectly caused as a result thereof, (i) the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries provided that the Borrower is the surviving corporation; (ii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower; (iii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may merge or consolidate with any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) provided that (A) the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (B) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder; and (iv) the Borrower may consummate the Reorganization pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of the last paragraph of this Section 7.3.

(c) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of Property owned by and material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (other than (i) any such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower), provided, however, for the purposes of this subsection (c), sale-leaseback transactions entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to the extent the aggregate amount with respect to all such transactions entered into after the Closing Date does not exceed $500,000,000; and, provided further, the Borrower may consummate the Reorganization pursuant to and in accordance with the last paragraph of this Section 7.3; or

 
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(d) except as otherwise permitted by Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.3(b), acquire all or any portion of the capital stock or securities of any other Person or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) all or any substantial part of the Property of any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to make acquisitions of the type referred to in this Section 7.3(d), so long as such acquisitions are non-hostile and (ii) after giving effect on a pro forma basis to any such acquisition (including but not limited to any Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith), no Default or Event of Default would exist hereunder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the Borrower will be permitted to effect an internal reorganization that will result in the AutoZone parent company changing its state of incorporation from Nevada to Delaware and that will be accomplished either by (i) the Borrower merging with and into a new wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, which Subsidiary (x) will be incorporated in the state of Delaware and the surviving corporation of such merger, (y) shall, as a result of such merger, assume by operation of law all of the rights and obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, and (z) shall, immediately after the consummation of such merger, have management and controlling ownership substantially similar to that of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or (ii) the Borrower becoming a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a new holding company incorporated in the State of Delaware, the outstanding capital stock of which holding company will be owned by the current shareholders of the Borrower (either such transaction, the "Reorganization"). The Lenders hereby agree that the Borrower shall be permitted to consummate the Reorganization so long as (i) the consummation of the Reorganization shall not result in a material and adverse impact to the interests of the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the Notes, and (ii) after giving effect to the Reorganization, (A) the Borrower become a wholly-owned subsidiary of a corporation organized in the State of Delaware and (B) that the management and controlling ownership of such parent corporation immediately after the consummation of the Reorganization be substantially similar to that of the Borrower immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization. The Borrower hereby agrees (i) to provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such additional information and documents related to the Reorganization as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender and (ii) to execute within a reasonable time after consummation of the Reorganization (not to exceed sixty (60) days unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent) such appropriate amendments, corporate authority documents and other supporting documents to or under the Credit Agreement evidencing any changes made necessary by the consummation of the Reorganization (including, without limitation, (x) in the event the Borrower merges with and into a new wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, a legal opinion of Borrower’s counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent’s legal counsel, addressing the enforceability of the Credit Documents with respect to such surviving Subsidiary and (y) in the event that the Borrower becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of a new parent holding company incorporated in Delaware, a guaranty by such new parent holding company of the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement) and such other changes as may be mutually agreed to by the Borrower (or its successor, if applicable) and the parties hereto, each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Borrower (or its successor, if applicable), the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders. The Borrower acknowledges that the agreement of the Lenders evidenced in this paragraph is given in reliance upon the foregoing conditions and agreements and shall be deemed revoked if any such condition or agreement is breached.

 
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7.4 Fiscal Year.

The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year without first obtaining the written consent of the Required Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).

7.5 Subsidiary Indebtedness.

The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 7.5 (and any renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof on terms and conditions no more favorable, in the aggregate, to such creditor than such existing Indebtedness and in a principal amount not in excess of that outstanding as of the date of such renewal, refinancing or extension);

(b) intercompany Indebtedness owed by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or to another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(c) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred after the Closing Date to provide all or a portion of the purchase price of short-lived assets (such as trucks and computer equipment) which may be treated as Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 in any fiscal year;

(d) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred in connection with synthetic leases, tax retention operating leases, off-balance sheet loans or similar off-balance sheet financings in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 in any two consecutive fiscal years;

(e) Indebtedness of the Mexican Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount for all Mexican Subsidiaries not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

(f) other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding.


 
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SECTION 8

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default.

An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

(a) Payment. The Borrower shall

(i) default in the payment when due of any principal of any of the Loans, or

(ii) default, and such default shall continue for five (5) or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the Loans, or of any Fees or other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or therewith; or

(b) Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made; or

(c) Covenants. The Borrower shall

(i) default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 6.2, 6.8, 6.10, 6.11 or 7.1 through 7.3, inclusive, and 7.5, or
 
(ii) default in the due performance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 6.1 and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 5 days after the earlier of a responsible officer of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent.

(iii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this Section 8.1) contained in this Credit Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of a responsible officer of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative Agent; or

 
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(d) Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

(e) Other Indebtedness. With respect to any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit Agreement or owing to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) in excess of $35,000,000 in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness, or (B) default in the observance or performance relating to such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or permit, the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to cause, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to the applicable maturity date, but after the expiration of all applicable grace periods, and such Indebtedness shall not be repaid when due; or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof and shall not be repaid when due; or

(f) Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving a liability of $25,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance) and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof, or if longer, within the applicable appeal period (but in no event for more than 90 days from the entry thereof); or

(g) ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such event or condition reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (1) any "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (2) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (3) an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in (i) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency or (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) such Plan; or (4) any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may subject the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

 
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(i) Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall (i) default in the payment when due of any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit (it being understood that such payment may be accomplished pursuant to the application of proceeds from a new Base Rate Loan made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4(c) or pursuant to the application of funds held in a cash collateral account) or (ii) default, and such defaults shall continue for five (5) or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit.

8.2 Acceleration; Remedies.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders or cured to the satisfaction of the Required Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in Section 10.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the following actions:

(a) Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

(b) Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and any and all other indebtedness or obligations of any and every kind owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

(c) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Credit Documents and all rights of set-off.

(d) Cash Collateral. Direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(d), it will immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be held by the Administrative Agent (or as otherwise specified in the definition of "Cash Collateralize"), for the benefit of the Lenders, in a cash collateral account as additional security for the L/C Obligations in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which may be drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 8.1(d) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all Loans, reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder in respect thereof automatically shall immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

 
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SECTION 9

AGENCY PROVISIONS

9.1 Appointment and Authority.

(a) Each Lender hereby designates and appoints Bank of America as administrative agent (in such capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, the "Administrative Agent") of such Lender to act as specified herein and the other Credit Documents, and each such Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent as the agent for such Lender, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated by the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere herein and in the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, or shall otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. The provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Borrower shall have no rights as a third party beneficiary of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall act solely as agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with or for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.

(b) Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith until such time (and except for so long) as the Administrative Agent may agree at the request of the Required Lenders to act for such L/C Issuer with respect thereto; provided, however, that such L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this Section 9 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the application and agreements for letters of credit pertaining to the Letters of Credit as fully as if the term "Administrative Agent" as used in this Section 9 included such L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to such L/C Issuer.

9.2 Delegation of Duties.

The Administrative Agent may execute any of its respective duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties; provided that the use of any agents or attorneys-in-fact shall not relieve the Administrative Agent of its duties hereunder.

 
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9.3 Exculpatory Provisions.

The Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall not be (a) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection herewith or in connection with any of the other Credit Documents (except for its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower contained herein or in any of the other Credit Documents or in any certificate, report, document, financial statement or other written or oral statement referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection herewith or in connection with the other Credit Documents, or enforceability or sufficiency therefor of any of the other Credit Documents, or for any failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for the effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Credit Agreement, or any of the other Credit Documents or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made by the Borrower in any written or oral statement or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports, certificates or any other documents in connection herewith or therewith furnished or made by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders or by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or of the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates.

9.4 Reliance on Communications.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, facsimile, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Borrower, independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care). The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the Lenders as the owner of their respective interests hereunder for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.3(b) hereof. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Credit Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or to the extent specifically provided in Section 10.6, all the Lenders) and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders (including their successors and assigns).

 
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9.5 Notice of Default.

The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to the Credit Document, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders.

9.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

Each Lender expressly acknowledges that each of the Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates has not made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Administrative Agent or any affiliate thereof hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower or its Affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Credit Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Credit Agreement, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, assets, operations, property, financial and other conditions, prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, assets, property, financial or other conditions, prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.

 
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9.7 Indemnification.

The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Commitments (or if the Commitments have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of outstanding Loans and Participation Interests of the Lenders), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time (including without limitation at any time following the final payment of all of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Credit Documents) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such in any way relating to or arising out of this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent. If any indemnity furnished to the Administrative Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, the Administrative Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished. The agreements in this Section shall survive the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.

9.8 Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.

Bank of America, each other L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with each of the Borrower and its respective Affiliates as though Bank of America were not the Administrative Agent or such L/C Issuer were not an L/C Issuer hereunder, as applicable, and without notice to or consent of the Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Bank of America, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Borrower or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that neither the Administrative Agent nor such L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans or any Letter of Credit issued by it, Bank of America or such other L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall have the same rights and powers under the Credit Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise such rights and powers as though it were not the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" include Bank of America or such other L/C Issuer, as applicable, in its individual capacity.

 
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9.9 Successor Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent may at any time resign upon 20 days' written notice to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States; provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such successor Administrative Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section and (3) the retiring Administrative Agent will provide to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonable access to the Register and/or copies of each Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.7 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

9.10 Syndication Agent.

The Syndication Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have no rights, powers, duties or obligations under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

 
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SECTION 10

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices.

(a) Notices Generally. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when delivered, (ii) when transmitted and received (by confirmation of receipt) via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the number set out below, (iii) the day on which the same has been delivered by a reputable national overnight air courier service to the addressee, or (iv) the day on which the same is delivered to the addressee or delivery refused by the addressee by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at the address, in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.1, and, in the case of the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other address as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto.
 
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2 if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the "return receipt requested" function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. FURTHERMORE, THE BORROWER DOES NOT WARRANT THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the "Agent Parties") have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 
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(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon, in good faith, any notices (including telephonic Committed Loan Notices and Swingline Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower and reasonably understood by the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, as applicable, to be authentic even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower (but excluding any such losses, costs, expenses and liabilities that (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such Related Party or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against the Administrative Agent or such Related Party for breach in bad faith of such party’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 
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10.2 Right of Set-Off.

In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind (all of which rights being hereby expressly waived), to set-off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender (including, without limitation, branches, agencies or Affiliates of such Lender wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against obligations and liabilities of such Person to such Lender hereunder, under the Notes or the other Credit Documents, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder and although such obligations, liabilities or claims, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured, and any such set-off shall be deemed to have been made immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default even though such charge is made or entered on the books of such Lender subsequent thereto. Any Person purchasing a participation in the Loans and Commitments hereunder pursuant to Section 3.13 or Section 10.3(d) may exercise all rights of set-off with respect to its participation interest as fully as if such Person were a Lender hereunder.

10.3 Successors and Assigns. 

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender other than in connection with a Reorganization permitted by Section 7.3 hereof and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(d), (iii) to an SPV in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3(g), or (iv) by way of a pledge of its Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Credit Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this Section 10.3(b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it; provided, that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 
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(i) Minimum Amounts.
 
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment under any Facility and the Loans at the time owing to it under such Facility or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met;

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to the Swingline Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities on a non-pro rata basis;

(iii) Required Consents. The following consents shall be required for any assignment (subject to the applicable limitations set forth below):

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable Facility or an Affiliate of such Lender; and

(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding); and

 
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(D) the consent of the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Facility.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount, if any, required as set forth in Schedule 10.3(b) (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.3(d).

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The Administrative Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the Register and to promptly update the Register from time to time, as necessary (including with regard to assignments of Loans and transfers of Notes). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent convincing evidence to the contrary, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 
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(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Credit Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.6 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.3(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.2 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.13 as though it were a Lender.

(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.10 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.10 as though it were a Lender.

(f) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words "execution," "signed," "signature," and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 
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(g) Special Purpose Funding Vehicles. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a "Granting Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an "SPV") the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof or, if it fails to do so, to make such payment to the Administrative Agent as is required under Section 3.14. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (i) neither the grant to any SPV nor the exercise by any SPV of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Credit Agreement (including its obligations under Section 3.04), (ii) no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Credit Agreement for which a Lender would be liable, and (iii) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Credit Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and with the payment of a processing fee in the amount of $2,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or Guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.
 
(h) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 10.3(b), Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swingline Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 
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10.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.

No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any Lender and the Borrower shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

10.5 Payment of Expenses, etc.
 
The Borrower agrees to: (a) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (i) of the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers (and their respective Affiliates) in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery and administration of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, subject to any agreed upon limitations, the reasonable fees and expenses of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, special counsel to the Administrative Agent and non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) and any amendment, waiver or consent relating hereto and thereto including, but not limited to, any such amendments, waivers or consents resulting from or related to any work-out, renegotiation or restructure relating to the performance by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement and (ii) of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (and their respective Affiliates) in connection with enforcement of the Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein (including, without limitation, in connection with any such enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) for the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders); (b) pay and hold each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all future stamp and other similar taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and save each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission (other than to the extent attributable to such Lender) to pay such taxes; and (c) indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender, and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and Affiliates (each an "Indemnitee") from and hold each of them harmless against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of (i) any investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto, but excluding any investigation initiated by the Person seeking indemnification hereunder) related to the entering into and/or performance of any Credit Document or the use of proceeds of any Loans (including other extensions of credit) hereunder or the consummation of any other transactions contemplated in any Credit Document, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding or (ii) the presence or Release of any Materials of Environmental Concern at, under or from any Property owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or the failure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with any Environmental Law (but excluding, in the case of either of clause (i) or (ii) above, any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses that (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction). In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Credit Agreement, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender have any liability for any indirect or consequential damages relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date).

 
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10.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.

Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the Borrower, provided, however, that:

(a) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest (other than as a result of (x) waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates or (y) an amendment approved by the Required Lenders as set forth in the definition of "Applicable Percentage" following the withdrawal by S&P and Moody’s of their ratings on the Borrower’s senior unsecured (non-credit enhanced) long term debt) on any Loan or fees hereunder, (ii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any fees owing hereunder, (iii) extend (A) the Commitments of the Lenders, or (B) the final maturity of any Loan, or any portion thereof, or (iv) reduce the principal amount on any Loan;

 
86

 
(b) no such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (i) except as otherwise permitted under Section 3.4(b), increase the Commitments of the Lenders over the amount thereof in effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 10.6 or Section 3.6, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 8.1(a), 10.2, 10.3, 10.5 or 10.9, (iii) reduce or increase any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the definition of "Required Lenders," or (iv) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents to which it is a party;

(c) no provision of Section 2.3 may be amended without the consent of the Swingline Lender and no provision of Section 9 may be amended without the consent of the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; and

(d) designation of the Master Account or of any Financial Officer may not be made without the written consent of at least two Financial Officers of the Borrower.

10.7 Counterparts.

This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.

10.8 Headings.

The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Credit Agreement.

10.9 Survival.

All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in Section 3.9, 3.11, 9.7 or 10.5 shall survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the repayment of the Loans and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder, and all representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans hereunder.

10.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.

(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may be brought in the courts of the State of New York in New York County, or of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 10.1, such service to become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction.

 
87

 
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) hereof and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

10.11 Severability.

If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.

10.12 Entirety.

This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

 
88

 
10.13 Binding Effect; Amendment and Restatement of Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement; Termination.

(a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that at such time as this Credit Agreement shall have become effective pursuant to the terms of the first sentence of this Section 10.13(a), (i) the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement automatically shall be deemed amended and restated in its entirety by this Credit Agreement and (ii) all of the promissory notes executed in connection with the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement automatically shall be substituted and replaced by the promissory notes executed in connection with this Credit Agreement, and the lenders under the Existing Five-Year Credit Agreement holding such notes agree to promptly return such prior notes to the Borrower marked "cancelled".

(b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.

10.14 Confidentiality.

The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to keep confidential (and to cause their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives to keep confidential) all information, materials and documents furnished to the Administrative Agent or any such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower (whether before or after the Closing Date) which relates to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "Information"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be permitted to disclose Information (i) to its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives in connection with its participation in any of the transactions evidenced by this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents or the administration of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents; (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or requested by any Governmental Authority; (iii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Credit Agreement or any agreement entered into pursuant to clause (iv) below, (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (C) was available to the Administrative Agent or such Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to the Administrative Agent or such Lender by the Borrower; (iv) to any actual or prospective assignee, participant or counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap, hedge, securitization or derivative transaction relating to any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or relating to the Borrower and its obligations so long as such actual or prospective assignee, participant or counterparty (or its advisor) first specifically agrees in a writing furnished to and for the benefit of the Borrower to be bound by that terms of this Section 10.14; (v) to the extent required in connection with the exercise of remedies under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Documents; or (vi) to the extent that the Borrower shall have consented in writing to such disclosure. Nothing set forth in this Section 10.14 shall obligate the Administrative Agent or any Lender to return any materials furnished by the Borrower.

 
89

 
10.15 Source of Funds.

 
Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to the source of funds used by such Lender in connection with the financing hereunder:
 
(a) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any separate account (as such term is defined in Section 3(17) of ERISA) maintained by such Lender in which any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest;
 
(b) the source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTE") 90-1 (issued  by the United States Department of Labor January 29, 1990), or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of PTE 91-38 (issued June 12, 1991 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002)), the requirements of Section III(b) of PTE 90-1 or Section III(b) of PTE 91-38 are and will continue to be satisfied, and no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund;
 
(c) the source is an "insurance company general account" within the meaning of PTE 95-60 (issued July 12, 1995 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002)) and there is no employee benefit plan, treating as a single plan all plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization, with respect to which the amount of the general account reserves and liabilities for all contracts held by or on behalf of such plan, exceeds ten percent (10%) of the total reserves and liabilities of such general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus, as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement for such Lender most recently filed with such Lender's state of domicile;
 
(d) the source constitutes assets of an "investment fund" (within the meaning of Part V of PTE 84-14 issued March 13, 1984 and amended by PTE 2002-13 (issued March 1, 2002) (the "QPAM Exemption")) managed by a "qualified professional asset manager" or "QPAM" (within the meaning of Part V of the QPAM Exemption), and the applicable conditions of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied; or
 
(e) such funds constitute assets of one or more employee benefit plans which such Lender has identified in writing to the Borrower.
 
As used in this Section 10.15, the term "employee benefit plan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3(3) of ERISA.
 
 
90

 

10.16 Conflict.

To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.

10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

10.18 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Credit Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or either Arranger has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor either Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby; and (v) the Administrative Agent and Arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Credit Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby.


[Signature Pages to Follow]
 
91

 


AUTOZONE, INC.

By: /s/ James A. Cook III
Name: James A. Cook III
Title: Vice President and Treasurer

By: /s/ Harry L. Goldsmith
Name: Harry L. Goldsmith
Title: Executive Vice President, Secretary &
General Counsel



ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:                        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

By: /s/ Mollie S. Camp
Name: Mollie S. Camp
Title: Vice President



 
 

 



LENDERS                          BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Dan Killian
Name: Dan M. Killian
Title: Senior Vice President

 
 

 

CITICORP USA, INC.

By: /s/ P. Nesbit
Name: P. Nesbit
Title: Director

 
 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

By: /s/ Barry Bergman
Name: Barry Bergman
Title: Managing Director

 
 

 

SunTrust Bank

By: /s/ Bryan W. Ford
Name: Bryan W. Ford
Title: Director

 
 

 

Wachovia Bank, National Association

By: /s/ Anthony D. Braxton
Name: Anthony D. Braxton
Title: Director
 
 

 

MERRILL LYNCH BANK USA

By: /s/ David Millett
Name: David Millett
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

PARIBAS

By: /s/ Brad Ellis
Name: Brad Ellis
Title: Vice President

By: /s/ Aurora Abella
Name: Aurora Abella
Title: Vice President
 
 

 

KeyBank National Association

By: /s/ Marianne T. Meil
Name: Marianne T. Meil
Title: Senior Vice president

 
 

 

National City Bank

By: /s/ Michael J. Durbin
Name: Michael J. Durbin
Title: Senior Vice President

 
 

 

Union Bank of California, N.A.

By: /s/ Theresa L. Rocha
Name: Theresa L. Rocha
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

[US Bank National Association]

By: /s/ Heather Hinkelman
Name: Heather Hinkelman
Title: Banking Officer


 
 

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Houston Agency

By: /s/ Douglas M. Barnell
Name: Douglas M. Barnell
Title: Vice President & Manager

 
 

 

Calyon New York Branch

By: /s/ David P. Cagle
Name: David P. Cagle
Title: Managing Director

By: /s/ Brian Myers
Name: Brian Myers
Title: Managing Director
 
 

 

Fifth Third Bank

By: /s/ John K. Perez
Name: John K. Perez
Title: Vice President

 
 

 


FORTIS CAPITAL CORP

By: /s/ R.L.A. Rutgers van Rozenburg
Name: R.L.A. Rutgers van Rozenburg
Title:

By: /s/ Daniel M. Jaffe
Name: Daniel M. Jaffe
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

By: /s/ Zach Johnson
Name: Zach Johnson
Title: Senior Vice President

 
 

 

Comerica Bank

By: /s/ Heather Whiting
Name: Heather Whiting
Title: Assistant Vice President

 
 

 

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

By: /s/ Bertram Tang
Name: Bertram Tang
Title: Senior Vice President & Team Leader

 
 

 

AmSouth Bank

By: /s/ Elizabeth H. Vaughn
Name: Elizabeth H. Vaughn
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

The Bank of New York

By: /s/ Scott DeTraglia
Name: Scott DeTraglia
Title: Vice President


 
 

 

FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By: /s/ Michael S. Roseman
Name: Michael S. Roseman
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

The Northern Trust Company

By: /s/ Thomas R. Hasenauer
Name: Thomas R. Hasenauer
Title: Vice President

 
 

 

BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY

By: /s/ Roberts A. Bass
Name: Roberts A. Bass
Title: Senior Vice President

 
 

 

Capital One, N.A.

By: /s/ Julie Nosser
Name: Julie Nosser
Title: Assistant Vice President

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
(unaudited)
 
(in thousands, except ratios)
 
   
Thirty-six Weeks Ended
 
   
May 6,
 
May 7,
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
Earnings
         
Income before income taxes
 
$
563,813
 
$
554,835
 
Fixed charges
   
106,264
   
99,097
 
Less: Capitalized interest
   
(1,382
)
 
(626
)
Adjusted earnings
 
$
668,695
 
$
653,306
 
               
Fixed charges
             
Gross interest expense
 
$
74,851
 
$
69,243
 
Amortization of debt expense
   
1,047
   
1,829
 
Interest portion of rent expense
   
30,366
   
28,025
 
Total fixed charges
 
$
106,264
 
$
99,097
 
               
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
   
6.3
   
6.6
 
               
 
                       
   
Fiscal Year Ended August
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
2001*
 
 
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(53 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
Earnings
                     
Income before income taxes
 
$
873,221
 
$
905,902
 
$
833,007
 
$
691,148
 
$
287,026
 
Fixed charges
   
144,930
   
130,278
   
121,129
   
98,688
   
121,141
 
Less: Capitalized interest
   
(1,079
)
 
(813
)
 
(791
)
 
(437
)
 
(1,380
)
Adjusted earnings
 
$
1,017,072
 
$
1,035,367
 
$
953,345
 
$
789,399
 
$
406,787
 
                                 
Fixed charges
                               
Gross interest expense
 
$
102,341
 
$
89,600
 
$
79,301
 
$
78,183
 
$
100,291
 
Amortization of debt expense
   
2,343
   
4,230
   
7,334
   
2,283
   
2,377
 
Interest portion of rent expense
   
40,246
   
36,448
   
34,494
   
18,222
   
18,473
 
Total fixed charges
 
$
144,930
 
$
130,278
 
$
121,129
 
$
98,688
 
$
121,141
 
                                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
   
7.0
   
7.9
   
7.9
   
8.0
   
3.4
 
                                 
                                 
*Fiscal 2001 includes the impact of the pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $156.8 million.
 
 

Exhibit 15.1


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
AutoZone, Inc.

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of AutoZone, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report dated June 6, 2006, related to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of AutoZone, Inc. that are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 6, 2006:

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-19561) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-42797) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-48981) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-48979) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 1998 Director Compensation Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-58565) pertaining to the registration to sell $200 million of debt securities

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88245) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88243) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-88241) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Amended and Restated Director Compensation Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-75142) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1998 Director Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-75140) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. Executive Stock Purchase Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-83436) pertaining to a shelf registration to sell 15,000,000 shares of common stock owned by certain selling stockholders

Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-100205) pertaining to a registration to sell $500 million of debt securities

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-103665) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Compensation Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-103666) pertaining to the AutoZone, Inc. 2003 Director Stock Option Plan

Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-107828) pertaining to a registration to sell $500 million of debt securities

Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-118308) pertaining to the shelf registration to sell $300 million of debt securities


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Memphis, Tennessee
June 6, 2006

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, William C. Rhodes, III, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AutoZone, Inc. (“registrant”);

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
June 7, 2006    
     
    /s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III 
    William C. Rhodes, III
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer) 
     


 
Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
RULES 13a-14(a) AND 15d-14(a) UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, William T. Giles, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of AutoZone, Inc. (“registrant”);

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


June 7, 2006     
     
    /s/ WILLIAM T. GILES 
    William T. Giles
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer) 
     
 

 
Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of AutoZone, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 6, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, William C. Rhodes, III, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(i)
the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 
(ii)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
 
June 7, 2006    
     
    /s/ WILLIAM C. RHODES, III 
    William C. Rhodes, III
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer) 
     


Exhibit 32.2


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of AutoZone, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 6, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, William T. Giles, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 
(i)
the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 
(ii)
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


June 7, 2006     
     
    /s/ WILLIAM T. GILES 
    William T. Giles
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial Officer)