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Date
Rule
15 USC 18a(c)(10) 7A(c)(10), 802.30
Staff
Michael Verne
Response/Comments
The only potentially reportable portion of this transaction is the acquisition by C of the 14% interest in HoldCo. The transfer by B of its 50% interest in ABC Co. is exempt under 802.30. The acquisition of HoldCo voting securities by existing A shareholders is exempt under 7A(c)(10), because they will hold a lower percentage in HoldCo than they did in A. N. Ovuka concurs.

Question

From: (redacted)

Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 2:08 PM

To: Verne, B. Michael

Subject: HSR Reportability

Dear Mr. Verne:

I write to request the PNO's determination whether the following transaction is reportable.

ABC Co. is 50% owned by A (which in turn is 67% owned by XY), and 50% owned by B, a wholly owned subsidiary of C. Pursuant to a settlement agreement, B intends to swap its 50% ownership stake in ABC Co. for a 14% common stock ownership interest in HoldCo, a newly created company that is majority owned by A.

Company A creates "HoldCo" to serve as a new holding company for Company A. The existing shareholders of Company A contribute their stock in A to HoldCo in exchange for HoldCo stock; at the same time Company C causes B to contribute its 50% interest in ABC Co. to HoldCo for HoldCo stock.

Following these 2 steps, HoldCo will be owned by existing Company A stockholders (86%) and Company C (14%). A will continue to own its existing assets, including the other 50% of ABC Co..

The basic size of person test for HSR filing purposes appears to be met here based on the size of the parties. Secondly, the size-of-transaction test, is met. The value of the stock to be acquired by C is around $100 million.

Is this reportable? Or is it exempt as an intraperson transaction under 802.30? If reportable, what are the filing obligations of Company C, the 14% stockholder of HoldCo.

Thank you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to call or email. Thank you.

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